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COMBINED MANUAL

ISSUE DATE 12/2014

HOW BENEFITS ARE PAID

0024.04

For detailed information on benefit delivery methods, see 0024.04.03 (Benefit Delivery Methods).

MFIP: Issue benefits in the form of Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), direct deposit, or warrant. Benefits are usually payable to the client, although in some situations you may or must use vendor or protective payments. See 0024.09 (Protective and Vendor Payments).

ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER

Cash benefits can be issued via EBT unless the client chooses another issuance method. EBT exclusion criteria are detailed in TEMP Manual TE16.07 (EBT - Issuance Defaults and Exclusion Codes).

DIRECT DEPOSIT

Direct deposit is available as an alternative to EBT or warrants, for any client who has a checking or savings account, provided the client is not subject to vendor payment or protective payee. See 0024.09 (Protective and Vendor Payments).

WARRANTS

The cash portion of a client's benefits may be issued as a warrant if the client chooses. EBT exclusion criteria are detailed in Temp Manual TE16.07 (EBT Issuance Defaults and Exclusion Codes), or the cash portion of a client's benefits may be issued as a warrant during the 10 day pre-note period for direct deposit if the appropriate EBT cash exclusion code has been entered. Issue warrants as a replacement for rejected direct deposit transactions.

FOOD PORTION

The food portion will be issued via EBT.

Do NOT mail regular monthly benefits or corrective payments to an out-of-state address.

DWP: Issue benefits in the form of vendor payment for housing and utilities. Issue the remainder of the grant, if any, to the unit, following MFIP cash payment methods.

SNAP: Issue benefits in the form of:

● EBT. Access SNAP benefits with an EBT card.

● Cash-out warrants (in federally approved demonstration projects only -- SSI/elderly cash-outs).

Mail warrants to the client's home unless the county agency approves, program procedure requires, or client requests other arrangements. Do NOT mail regular monthly benefits or corrective payments to an out-of-state address.

MSA: Issue benefits in the form of warrants, direct deposit, or via EBT. Benefits are usually payable to the client or client's legal representative. In some situations, you may or must issue benefits using vendor or protective payments. See 0024.09 (Protective and Vendor Payments).