Security Procedures

The electronic benefit issuance area shall be physically separated, such as, but not limited to, the cage, counter, and railing, from both clients and other employees of the office who are not responsible for benefit issuance and accountability. Persons not specifically responsible for benefit issuance accountability shall also be barred from the electronic benefit card storage area. Local offices, including contract issuers, shall take all precautions necessary to avoid acceptance, transfer, negotiation, or use of counterfeit SNAP benefits and to avoid any unauthorized use, transfer, acquisition, alteration, or possession of SNAP benefits. EBT cards shall be safeguarded from theft, embezzlement, loss, damage, or destruction. Issuance supervisors shall give each cashier a daily supply of blank EBT cards from the bulk card inventory. On high volume issuance days, the cashier's supply may need to be replenished during issuance hours from an office vault. The vault containing bulk card inventory shall remain locked unless opened to withdraw cards. Keys and lock combinations shall be controlled and restricted to as few individuals as possible. Combinations and locks should be changed whenever an individual who has received them leaves the employ of the office. EBT cards must be removed from public view and reach. It is required that each cashier operate from a card drawer rather than from sources on top of the counter. The EBT cards must be locked in the drawer whenever the cashier leaves the issuance area for any reason. In small offices where it is not possible for each cashier to have a separate supply of EBT cards, the number of EBT cards shall be counted whenever one cashier assumes duties of another cashier at the issuance counter, and transferred to that cashier's responsibility. The office shall never be left unattended during hours of issuance, such as during breaks or lunch, unless the building is secured as it would be after business hours.