707 ISSUING BENEFITS SR 98-51, 12/98 (FAM-A)

There are two methods of issuing financial assistance benefits: Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER (EBT)

EBT is the primary issuance method for financial assistance benefits. EBT authorizes electronic availability for recipients to financial assistance benefits from an "account" which is accessed by the client with a magnetic stripe debit card (the "EBT card").

• Clients control the use of the EBT by a 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).

• EBT cash assistance recipients are allowed 4 free cash withdrawals every month. Each use over and above the 4 free withdrawals will be charged a small transaction fee. This fee is automatically debited from the EBT cash account.

• Exceptions:

- Nursing facility clients will continue to receive supplemental payments for a personal needs allowance in the form of a check, unless EFT is requested by the client or AR.

- Individuals who have a "Guardian," "Conservator," or "Protective Payee" that requested payment via check.

EBT Card Activation

Applicants determined eligible for financial assistance must come to the district office to pick up the EBT card and activate it by selecting a PIN of their own choosing.

Exception: If the client is homebound, unable to come into the district office for EBT card pick-up and PIN activation, and does not wish to designate an Authorized Representative for this task, district office staff must do the following:

• Contact the Bureau of Data Management for a Control Number for PIN activation over the telephone.

• Provide the client with the Control Number.

• Instruct the client to call the EBT customer service center at 1-888-997-9777, provide the Control Number, and activate the card by selecting a PIN over the telephone.

Individuals involved in the determination of eligibility, including Case Technicians and DFA Supervisors, are prohibited by federal regulations from assisting clients in the EBT card activation and PIN selection process.

Authorized Representatives and EBT

Generally speaking, applicants and recipients may choose an AR to assist in the EBT process by so designating on Form 778, Authorized Representative Declaration. A client or AR obtaining an EBT card at the district office must present proof of identity before being given the EBT card.

AR’s may be designated to receive and access benefits on behalf of the recipient by:

• Obtaining and activating their own EBT card;

• Obtaining the EBT card for the recipient but conveying the card to the recipient for activation; or

• Performing the card activation at the district office with the PIN provided by the client to the AR.

An AR designated to receive benefits on behalf of the recipient must obtain his or her own EBT card at the district office and select his or her own PIN.

ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER (EFT)

EFT is the method of delivering financial assistance benefits through a common direct deposit into the bank account of a client or Authorized Representative. EFT is the only method of benefit delivery for vendors. See FAM 115 , Vendor Payees.

Suitability of Accounts/Client Authorization for EFT

• A client, AR, or protective payee who chooses EFT as the method of benefit issuance for financial assistance can only receive EFT if they have an open checking or savings account.

• The client, AR or protective payee must complete Form EFT-R to complete the authorization for EFT. Form EFT-R summarizes the client and bank identifying information contained in New HEIGHTS, as supplied by the applicant during the interactive interview, and contains a space for a client signature to authorize EFT.

• EFT can be made to any checking or savings account which can receive deposits through the bank’s electronic address, known as the "transit and routing number." This number is a series of coded entries contained on the bottom of a check or a checking account deposit form. All in-state checking accounts are capable of receiving EFT.

- New HEIGHTS contains the "transit and routing number" for all New Hampshire banks. If EFT is requested and the account is an in-state checking account, the client, AR or protective payee only needs to complete the Form EFT-R to authorize EFT.

- If the client, AR or protective payee uses an out-of-state bank not contained in New HEIGHTS, the client must complete Form EFT-R and provide a voided, blank checking account deposit form or voided check from the specific account designated to receive EFT. The Case Technician should then contact the New HEIGHTS Help Desk with the information provided by the client in order to add the new bank information into New HEIGHTS.

• Recipients may designate only one account for EFT deposits. Recipients may not split EFT payments between separate accounts, unless an amount is being deposited into the account of a vendor payee.