115 VENDOR PAYEES (FAM)

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Recipients can authorize payments to a vendor payee for a portion of or all of their assistance payment, when the individual:

•       Requests vendor payments in writing;

•       Specifies the vendor’s name, address, and amount of payment; and

•       Notifies the Department in writing to change or terminate a vendor payment.

All vendor payments are made directly to a bank account, selected by the vendor, through the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

When an individual’s request for vendor payment is received by the Department and is complete:

•       The individual is provided with adequate notification regarding action taken on vendor payments; and

•       The individual is advised that any vendor due to receive rent payments directly from the Department will not receive any rent payments until the first available payroll after a completed New HEIGHTS-generated Form AE0006, Vendor EFT Information Request Form, is received and processed by the Department.

-    Form AE0006 is automatically sent to the vendor when the vendor information is entered into New HEIGHTS.  If New HEIGHTS is unavailable or the AE0006 cannot be accessed:

§  Send the vendor DFA Form 706, Information Needed to Process Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

§  If it is a new vendor who is not enrolled with the Department, send Form AW-9, Alternate W-9 Form-CIS, to the vendor along with DFA Form 706.

Exceptions: Do not authorize payments to a vendor payee when any of the following circumstances apply:

•       The individual has a protective payee due to mismanagement of funds;

•       The individual has a foster parent, guardian, or conservator;

•       The individual is involved in a dispute with the vendor payee regarding financial obligations;

•       The vendor payee is coercing the individual;

•       The worker has knowledge that the vendor payee will not provide the individual with the same quality and quantity of goods as the vendor payee would provide to the general public;

•       Two-party payments are requested; or

•       There is already a vendor payment being made.

References: He-W 686.01; RSA 167:5; RSA 167:26; RSA 167:83,II(g-h); 45 CFR 234.60

Editorial Revisions Made: 03/2024