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In order for Mississippi to prevent prohibited transactions and purchases as defined above, agency staff will discuss with TANF applicants/recipients the proper use of their TANF benefits at initial application and redetermination. All county offices are required to display a poster with the TANF restrictions and penalties in a prominent location.

Methods for reporting fraud include the Fraud Tip Hotline toll free number 1-800-299- 6905 and the Fraud Tip Email fraud@mdhs.ms.gov. To expand the pathway of communication regarding programmatic fraud, fraud tips can now also be submitted to the Division of Investigations through the Fraud Tip PowerForm located on the MDHS website. This form can be accessed by clicking on the “Report Fraud” button located on the MDHS homepage, or by direct link at https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/report-fraud/. The assistance unit will be denied TANF benefits when the MS Debit MasterCard is used at prohibited locations or prohibited items are purchased as outlined below:

Violation Penalty 1st Violation 3 Months 2nd Violation Permanent Disqualification

h. Ensure that recipients of assistance provided under the State program funded under this part have the ability to use or withdraw assistance with minimal fees or charges, including an opportunity to access assistance with no fee or charges, and are provided information on applicable fees and surcharges that apply to electronic fund transactions involving the assistance, and that such information is made publicly available (section 402(a)(1)(A)(viii) of the Social Security Act) The cardholder can use their EPPICard at vendor and bank locations worldwide wherever MasterCard is accepted. EPPICard transactions performed at some POS machine vendors are subject to surcharges by the financial institution or owner. Form MDHS-EA-303A, Mississippi Debit MasterCard Program ePayment/EPPICard Customer Information Sheet, is provided to and discussed with the TANF recipient during the interview at application and redetermination. The MDHS-EA-303A also informs the recipient of merchant and bank locations where cash benefits may be redeemed. The card carrier mailed with the EPPICard also provides this information, as well as, EPPICard account access, card use and customer service information. Recipients may also access this information via the internet at https://www.eppicard.com/. Fees: Purchase - No fee • Cash-back or Bank Teller Window - No fee