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SNAP CERTIFICATION MANUAL – SECTION 14000 14300 Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) 14310 Issuance of Cards

14300 Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT)

SNAP Manual 12/01/03 SNAP benefits are issued via the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system through the use of a magnetic stripe plastic card at a point of sale (POS) device in a grocery store or other outlet. All locations that accept SNAP benefits are authorized by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to do so. Each EBT card contains the cardholder’s name and a Primary Account Number (PAN) which is unique to the card. Generally, only one card will be issued to each household. The head of the SNAP budget unit (self, head or household) will be the primary cardholder. A household may name up to two alternate payees. An alternate payee has a separate EBT card with his or her name on the card, a separate card number and personal identification number (PIN) and has access to all the benefits in the SNAP account. An alternate payee may or may not be a household member, but all EBT cards will be mailed to the SNAP household’s mailing address. An alternate payee who is not a household member must be designated by the household as an authorized representative. See SNAP 14330 and SNAP 900-983.1 for additional information. Households receiving both Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) and SNAP benefits will use the same EBT card to access both accounts if the primary payee is the same for both cases. If not, two cards will be issued—one to be used for the SNAP account and one to be used for the TEA account. (Two cards are also issued when there is a difference in the SSN’s or dates of birth in the SNAP and TEA cases.)

14310 Issuance of Cards SNAP Manual 12/01/03 EBT cards are issued through the mail by a contractor. EBT cards are mailed by the first work day following the day an application is approved or a replacement card is requested.

14320 Personal Identification Number SNAP Manual 12/01/03 A four-digit personal identification number (PIN) must be used with the EBT card to access benefits. The household must call the Customer Service Help Desk at 1-800-997-9999 to select their PIN. The PIN will not change unless the household requests a change. NOTE: Even if a new EBT card is requested, the PIN will remain the same unless the household requests a new PIN. It