707 ISSUING BENEFITS (FSM)

SR 17-07 Dated 05/17

Previous Policy

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ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER (EBT)

EBT is the issuance method for Food Stamp benefits. Recipients access Food Stamp benefits from an electronic EBT account with a magnetic stripe debit card (the "EBT card"). Recipients control access to the EBT account by a 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN).

 

EBT Card Pin Selection

EBT cards are active when they are mailed to recipients. Once the recipient has received their EBT card, the individual must select a PIN for the card by going to www.ebtedge.com, calling 1-888-997-9777, or at the District Office.

Individuals involved in the determination of eligibility, including Family Services Specialists and DFA Supervisors, are prohibited by federal regulations from assisting recipients in the EBT card PIN selection process.

 

Authorized Representatives and EBT

Applicants and recipients may choose an Authorized Representative (AR) to assist in the EBT process by so designating on Form 778, Authorized Representative Declaration. If a recipient or AR chooses to obtain an EBT card at the District Office, the person must present proof of identity before being given the EBT card. See Section  301.07, How to Verify, for more information about requirements for proving identity.

 

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

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obtaining an EBT card that has the AR’s name on it, which will have access to the applicant or recipient’s EBT benefits; (Applicants and recipients use Form 778 to designate whether they want the AR to have access to their Food Stamp benefits, their cash benefits, or both) or

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assisting the client with ordering replacement EBT Cards, balance inquiries, PIN selections, PIN changes, and general EBT related questions.

 

Receipt of EBT Cards at District Office (DO)

Recipients may request to receive their EBT card at the DO, rather than through the mail, for one of the following reasons:

1.

The recipient is homeless; or

2.

The recipient is currently facing a hardship that prevents them from receiving their EBT card through the mail.

 

If a recipient claims that they are currently facing a hardship, the DO Supervisor or the EBT Administrator must approve that the recipient can pick up their EBT card at the DO.

 

EBT Cards Returned by the Post Office

Recipients must update their address with the Post Office and/or add their name to the mailbox in order to ensure delivery of the EBT card.

If the Post Office cannot identify that the recipient is living at the address where the EBT card is mailed, the EBT card will be returned to the Data Management Unit (DMU). DMU alerts the Family Services Specialist (FSS), and the FSS must attempt to contact the recipient.  If the recipient cannot be reached, a notice must be mailed informing the recipient that the EBT card has been returned to DMU.

Returned EBT cards will be held at DMU for 30 days following the EBT card issuance date.  If the card cannot be re-sent during that time period, the EBT card must be deactivated and destroyed.

 

 

References: He-W 702.01; 7 CFR 273.2(n); 7 CFR 274.2(b), (f); 7 USC 2016(h)