They work exactly the same as a standard debit card does and retailers can't tell a reloadable one from a bank attached card (unless the card itself states it is reloadable). They are almost like a use anywhere gift card :-) There are various rating services online describing them.....just pick one that has no or low fees and can be easily reloaded - remotely, in your case.

Sounds like a good idea.

Curious, what happens when he tries to use it and doesn't have the money in his account? Is the transaction just refused? Can he keep track of how much money is available thru the card?

They work like any reloadable gift card. I would caution two things. If he is having problems mentally he may not be able to use it. If he is receiving any type of governmental assistance like reduced rent, utilities, Medicaid not Medicare giving him money may affect what he can receive in benefits. Sending him a care package of food he normally eats will not in most states. Some of the types of senior benefits coordinate between federal and state programs and what affects one may or may not affect another.

If you are not his guardians/conservators you should talk to that person if there is one first to see if he is capable of even handling a card.

I work in a store that's kind of high end. A customer came in a few months ago and paid with a rechargeable credit card that he used, he said, everywhere. that way, he figured there would be fewer risks to his bank account.

I've know other folks who use rechargeable gift cards at the grocery store so when the [almost] inevitable security breech happens, their debit card and bank account isn't at risk.

Since c t brought up the rechargeable gift cards. Never having had one are they not recharged through a bank account?

When I was going to Europe I briefly thought about using them or a non-rechargeable one then actually read the fine print about the charges for usage and decided not to. I seem to remember that when recharged there was a connection to some type of account.

"Curious, what happens when he tries to use it and doesn't have the money in his account?" My wife's a personal banker for one of the top 5 banks in America so I just asked her. She said if the funds aren't available the purchase is declined. She also said they are called "secured cards" but her bank dumped them 2 years ago. She said if was to much a hassle because most of the people who had them couldn't comprehend how they worked and unable to understand when told by bank they're out of money. Not worth the trouble.

I have a rechargeable debit card from Walmart. I use it for Internet shopping. To recharge I just stop at Walmart and add money to it at the checkout. I can do it with cash or using my bank debit card.