đĄ If a purchase on your grant card is declined, it's usually down to the program's rules: an allowed-merchant list, a one-time-use limit, or the grant's balance. If your program supports it, you can also pay another way by converting your grant into a reimbursement.
Why grant cards get declined
The merchant isn't allowed. Programs limit grant cards to specific merchants, and sometimes specific categories. A purchase somewhere off that list will decline. Contact the program that issued your grant to ask which merchants are allowed.
Not enough grant balance. A grant card can only spend what's left on it, so a purchase larger than the remaining balance declines. (More on bigger purchases below.)
It's a one-time-use grant. Some grants are good for a single purchase, then the card freezes automatically. If yours has already been used, reach out to the program.
The card is frozen or expired. If the grant has expired or the program froze the card, purchases won't go through. The program can help.
Cash and ATM withdrawals. Grant cards are for purchases, not cash, so withdrawals are declined.
Grant rules are set by the program that issued your grant, not HCB, so for any of these the program is who to contact. For more, see I got a card grant. How do I use it?
Pay another way: convert your grant to a reimbursement
If a merchant won't take the virtual card, or isn't on the allowed list, you may be able to pay out of your own pocket and have the grant pay you back instead. This option is only available if your grant program supports it.
On your card grant page, click Get reimbursed.
Confirm. This cancels the grant card and turns it into a reimbursement report, with a budget equal to your remaining grant balance.
Add your expenses, attach a receipt for each, and submit the report.
Once it's approved, you're paid back to your payout method. See How do I request a reimbursement? for the full process. Heads up: converting cancels the virtual card for good and can't be undone, so only do it when you're ready to pay another way.
If you don't see a Get reimbursed button on your card grant page, your program hasn't enabled this option, so reach out to the program that issued your grant.
Buying something that costs more than your grant
A grant only ever covers its own amount, whether you spend on the card or convert it to a reimbursement. If you need to buy something that costs more, you have two options:
Ask the program to add funds to your grant.
Or cover the difference yourself. You'll be reimbursed up to the grant's amount, and anything beyond that is on you.