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FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES MANUAL GENERAL PROCEDURES & REQUIREMENTS FNS 140 PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

6 Change 1-2021 May 1, 2021 a. Card Maintenance Screen allows the user to reset a pin, place an EBT card in lost, damaged, stolen, or other status which deactivates it immediately and causes a new EBT card to be mailed to the client. A fee of $2.50 is debited from the client’s account, for lost or stolen cards only, at the time of the status change. If the account balance does not have sufficient funds, a message will appear, and the account will be moved to “Not Sufficient Funds” to inactivate the account until funds are available. b. Benefit Maintenance Screen allows activation or cancellation of the entire EBT account for a client. This function will be performed by designated staff with the Economic Services Section by telephone at 866-719-0141.

140.07 MERIT BASED STAFF A. Staff performing eligibility determination functions for FNS are required to meet merit- based requirements as set forth in federal Office of Personnel Management Standards, Subpart F – Standards for Merit System of Personnel Administration; Section 900.603 (pages 579-580), which include principles of recruitment, selection and advancement, compensation, training, performance, and “fair treatment” principles of personnel management. In addition, 7 CFR 272.4(a)(1) requires that personnel used in the certification process or administration of SNAP (Food and Nutrition Services) be employed in accordance with the current standards for a merit system of personnel administration. Any questions about compliance with the merit-based requirements of FNS staff should be referred to your county Human Resources Office. B. Non merit based FNS staff shall not conduct certification interviews or certify FNS cases in NC FAST. Staff not meeting the merit-based requirements may be used to assist applicants in the application and certification process, excluding interviewing, as well as assisting in securing needed verifications. Non-merit-based staff may also be used to assist with updating information related to Able-Bodied Adults without Dependents per Dear County Director Letter EFS-FNSEP-24-2015.