FSIS Users Manual FSIS 600 - Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)

FSIS 600 - Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)

Change #1-2011

August 1, 2011

600.01 GENERAL

Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is the process by which recipients receive their Food and Nutrition Services benefits. EBT replaces Food and Nutrition Services coupons with a magnetic stripe card, much like a debit card. Food and Nutrition Services benefits are placed into an account that can be accessed by recipients by using the Benefit Security at Point of Sale (POS) machines located at FNS authorized Food and Nutrition Services retail stores. An account is setup up at eFunds and an EBT card is created for the Food and Nutrition Services head of household, authorized representative, and/or Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center (ADTC). The EBT cardholder uses the card to purchase food. Benefit authorizations can occur daily, monthly, or in the case of ADTC, tri-monthly (5th, 15th, and 25th). The monthly benefit authorization process assigns benefit availability dates for ten benefit authorization cycles (from 3rd through the 12th calendar day of the month based on the last digit of the head of household’s social security number).

Last Digit of the	Benefits
Head of Household SSN#	Available
1 or all zeros	3rd of the month
2	4th of the month
3	5th of the month
4	6th of the month
5	7th of the month
6	8th of the month
7	9th of the month
8	10th of the month
9	11th of the month
0	12th of the month

NOTE: For cases assigned to an ADTC, benefits are available the 5^th, 15^th, and 25^th of the month.

Each individual issued an EBT card is required to be trained and select a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Selecting the PIN activates the EBT card. This process is handled through the local department of social services.