How to Send Money to FDC Philadelphia

Step 1. Choose a Deposit Method

The BOP accepts deposits through 3 channels: MoneyGram (send to receive code 7932), Western Union (send to FBOP DC), or a USPS money order mailed to the Bureau’s centralized national processing address. None of these methods send money directly to FDC Philadelphia.

A Predictable Deposit Schedule

Rather than sending money whenever it comes to mind, some families settle into a rough monthly rhythm, tied to payday, so the commissary balance doesn’t run dry unpredictably. Nothing about BOP policy requires this, but a consistent pattern makes the $360 cap easier to plan around, especially during an active case when priorities can shift quickly.

Step 2. Have the Right Information Ready

You’ll need the inmate’s full legal name and their BOP Register Number, confirmed through the BOP’s Inmate Locator if you don’t already have it. This number is what gets the deposit credited to the right account.

Step 3. Use the Right Address for Account Questions

If you have a question about an existing deposit or account balance instead of making a new deposit, FDC Philadelphia has a separate address for that: Inmate Accounts, PO Box 572, Philadelphia, PA 19105, or by fax at (215) 521-4039. This is different from the deposit methods above, don’t send money orders to this address.

Why Money Doesn’t Go Directly to the Facility

Rather than every one of its facilities handling deposits locally, the Bureau runs one centralized system across all of them, FDC Philadelphia included. The process stays the same no matter which federal facility he’s at, only the register number attached to the deposit changes, which matters here given how often pretrial detainees move between institutions.

How Long a Deposit Actually Takes

MoneyGram and Western Union tend to post within a day or two of the transaction completing. A USPS money order sent to the Bureau’s national processing address moves slower, since it has to travel through the mail before anyone processes it, budget at least a week if timing matters, especially with a court date approaching.

Setting Up the Transfer

MoneyGram and Western Union are outside companies, not BOP services, so the transaction itself happens through their website, app, or a physical location. Bring valid ID, larger transfers typically require identity verification from the provider.

Sending From Outside the U.S.

Distance isn’t a barrier. MoneyGram and Western Union both process international transfers, though fees and delivery time run higher than domestic. A USPS money order from abroad depends on the sending country’s postal system and tends to be the slowest option, check current costs directly with the provider first.

If a Deposit Fails

Confirm the inmate’s name and BOP Register Number are correct, since mismatches are the most common reason a deposit doesn’t process. Contact MoneyGram, Western Union, or USPS customer service directly depending on which method you used, since the BOP itself doesn’t process the transaction.

What Happens If He’s Transferred

If the person you’re sending money to is transferred to a different federal facility, which can happen relatively often for pretrial detainees, his trust fund account and balance transfer with him. Confirm his new location through the BOP’s Inmate Locator before sending anything further.

Splitting a Deposit Between Two Methods

There’s nothing stopping you from sending part through MoneyGram for speed and part through a money order for the lower fee, some families do exactly that. Keep each confirmation number filed separately if you split it up, it makes tracking down a problem much simpler later.

A Deposit From Another Incarcerated Person

If someone else who’s incarcerated wants to send him money, that’s a different process than a standard deposit from a family member on the outside, and BOP policy restricts it more. Call the trust fund office at (215) 521-4039 to confirm exactly how that’s handled before assuming MoneyGram or Western Union work the same way.

Court-Ordered Restitution and Holds

Some inmate trust fund accounts carry court-ordered restitution obligations that reduce how much of a deposit reaches the spendable commissary balance. If a deposit doesn’t seem to be reaching the balance the way you expect, ask the facility’s trust fund office at (215) 521-4039 whether a restitution order applies to the account.

A Bigger Deposit Doesn’t Raise the Ceiling

$360 a month stays the cap regardless of what’s already in his trust fund account. Depositing more in a given month doesn’t unlock extra spending room that month, it just carries forward.

Tracking Down a Deposit That Didn’t Post

Start with the sender details and reference number tied to whichever method you used, a mismatch there is the most common reason a transfer stalls. Give it a few business days before assuming it’s genuinely lost, and if it still hasn’t shown up, the facility’s trust fund office at (215) 521-4039 can look into it.

What the Balance Actually Covers

Commissary spending isn’t just snacks, hygiene items, over-the-counter medication, basic clothing, and stamps all draw from the same balance, along with phone minutes and CorrLinks access. Some inmates also put money toward an approved piece of electronics, like an MP3 player, through the commissary catalog.

Confirming the Deposit Landed

There’s no sender-facing portal to check his balance directly, that visibility exists on his end, not yours. The reliable way to confirm a deposit posted is asking him to check it himself, next call, next CorrLinks message, or next visit.