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

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ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER (EBT)

EBT is the issuance method for food stamp benefits. EBT authorizes electronic availability for recipients to food stamp 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 Card Activation

Applicants determined eligible for food stamps 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

Applicants and recipients may choose an Authorized Representative (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.