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Massachusetts TANF State Plan

and other items and services. See M.G.L. c. 18, § I. Parents or caregivers who violate the purchasing provisions must pay the Commonwealth back for the prohibited purchase. For a second offense, the parent or caregiver is disqualified from benefits for two months and must pay the Commonwealth back for the prohibited purchase. For a third offense, the parent or caregiver is disqualified from benefits permanently and must pay the Commonwealth back for the prohibited purchase. Posters are displayed in all local offices informing families of the prohibited establishments and purchasing restrictions. The application for TAFDC benefits includes a penalty warning informing families of prohibited items and services as well as the penalties for violations. At application and redetermination, all families applying for or receiving TAFDC are provided a brochure that includes information on prohibited establishments, prohibited purchases and penalties. Retailers are notified about the law and its penalties. Local law enforcement agencies are notified about retailers who are found to have violated such law. In addition, the Department offers posters and training for retailers on the restrictions. In an ongoing effort, the Department continues to work with its EBT vendor on blocking the use of EBT cards in prohibited establishments. The Department and its vendor are jointly researching potential prohibited establishments. The Commonwealth provides its EBT vendor with a final list of prohibited establishments monthly; the EBT vendor blocks the designated establishments’ Point of Service (POS) device and ATMs on site.

(a)(1)(A)(viii) Ensure that recipients of assistance provided under the State program funded under this part have access to using or withdrawing assistance with minimal fee or charges, including an opportunity to access assistance with no fee or charges, and are provided information on application fees and surcharges that apply to electronic fund transactions involving the assistance, and that such information is made publicly available. The Commonwealth remains committed to ensuring that families have adequate access to their cash assistance. While most families access their benefits via EBT card, they have the option to receive TAFDC through direct deposit to checking or savings accounts or direct vendor payments for rent, utilities, etc. DTA affords all clients the right to designate an authorized payee to act on their behalf in accessing TAFDC when the parent or caregiver is unable to do so. All families receiving TAFDC who receive their benefits on an EBT card receive a brochure that advises clients about surcharge-free cash transactions and how to identify surcharge-free ATMs and POS devices. In addition, the brochure advises families that they are entitled to three free ATM withdrawals in a calendar month, but that additional withdrawals are $0.75 per transaction. This brochure, along with the EBT card itself, provides clients with a toll-free customer service line that is available 24- hours a day, 7-days a week regarding any questions they have about accessing their benefits.