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Title 7: SNAP Page 28 Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Employees’ Manual Chapter A: Administration Electronic Benefit Transfer Revised June 20, 2025 Establishing Cardholders The household may designate a separate authorized representative for each of these activities or may designate a single authorized representative for all activities. When a household asks for an authorized representative on the application form, ask if the household wants the authorized representative to receive an EBT card. If a household wants an authorized representative to receive an Iowa EBT card to use on the household’s account, the primary cardholder must make the request in writing. See Establishing a Secondary Cardholder or Authorized Representative. When a household wants an authorized representative only to handle the household’s business with HHS, inform the household that it is liable for any overissuance that results from wrong information given by the authorized representative. Do not issue an EBT card when the authorized representative’s responsibilities are limited to handling business for the household with HHS. The Department is required to assist households in obtaining an authorized representative to purchase the household’s food when the household needs one but does not know someone to act in that capacity. Always document the name of the authorized representative in the case record. Who Cannot Be an Authorized Representative Legal reference: 7 CFR 273.2(n)(4)(ii) The following cannot be authorized representatives: Department employees involved in the certification or SNAP authorization process (unless the Field Eligibility Determination Director approves the designation in writing). Retailers authorized to accept SNAP (unless the Field Eligibility Determination Director approves the designation in writing). Homeless meal providers. People disqualified for fraud. People who are disqualified for fraud cannot be authorized representatives during the period of disqualification.