You can add money to a Step card through bank transfers, direct deposit, peer-to-peer transfers from other Step users, or by receiving funds from apps like Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal. The method you choose depends on how quickly you need the funds and where the money is coming from.
Transfer From a Bank Account or Debit Card
The most common way to fund a Step account is by linking an external bank account or debit card. If you’re a parent or guardian managing a teen’s Step account, you can transfer money directly from your own bank account or debit card into the Step account through the app. This is typically the go-to method for regular allowance payments or one-time transfers.
To set this up, open the Step app, navigate to the funding or transfer section, and link the external account you want to pull money from. Transfers from a linked bank account may take one to three business days to arrive, depending on how the sending bank processes outgoing payments. Debit card transfers tend to be faster.
Set Up Direct Deposit
If you have a job or receive any recurring payments, you can route them straight into your Step account using direct deposit. This is useful for teens with part-time jobs or anyone who wants their paycheck deposited automatically.
You’ll need two pieces of information to give your employer or payment provider. Step’s routing number is 084106768. To find your individual account number, open the Step app, select your account, tap “Profile” at the bottom of the screen, then scroll down to “Details” and tap “Account & Routing Number.” Hand both numbers to your employer’s payroll department or enter them into whatever portal you use to manage your pay. Once set up, deposits will land in your Step account on payday without any extra steps.
Receive Money Through Payment Apps
Step accounts can receive money from Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal. This makes it easy for family members or friends to send funds even if they don’t have a Step account themselves. The sender just needs your Step account details or, depending on the app, can transfer to the linked debit card.
Step also has its own built-in peer-to-peer payment feature. If someone else in your life uses Step, they can send money to your account instantly through the app. This works similarly to how you’d send money on Venmo or Cash App, but the transfer stays within Step’s system and arrives right away.
Use Your Routing and Account Numbers
Beyond direct deposit and payment apps, your Step routing and account numbers work anywhere that accepts standard bank account information. That includes government payments, tax refunds, and transfers initiated from other banks. If someone wants to send you money through their bank’s bill pay or wire transfer feature, you can provide them with Step’s routing number (084106768) and your personal account number from the app.
This flexibility means your Step account functions like a traditional checking account for receiving funds, even though the card itself is designed with younger users in mind.
Which Method Is Fastest
Peer-to-peer transfers between Step users arrive instantly. Payments sent through Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal typically show up within minutes to a few hours, though exact timing depends on the sending app. Bank account transfers initiated through the Step app usually take one to three business days. Direct deposit timing depends on your employer’s payroll schedule, but once the deposit is sent, it generally posts the same day the funds are released.
If you need money on your Step card right away, having another Step user send it to you or receiving it through a payment app will be the quickest options. For routine funding like allowance or paychecks, direct deposit or a scheduled bank transfer keeps the account topped up without you having to think about it.