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FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES CERTIFICATION GENERAL PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS FNS 165 INACTIVE ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER (EBT) ACCOUNTS REPORT

2 Section 165 Change #06-2022 September 24, 2022

b. Explain the authorized representative system to the FNS unit and offer the FNS unit assistance in obtaining an authorized representative, if needed. Refer to Section 220, Authorized Representatives. c. If the FNS unit has moved but continues to live in North Carolina update the case file with the new address. Refer to sections 215.05, 450.05 and 550.04 for reacting to the change. d. If the FNS unit has moved out of North Carolina: 1. Terminate the case as residence is out-of-state. 2. The FNS unit may use the North Carolina EBT card in the new state as long as the new state can accept a North Carolina EBT Card.

165.02 INACTIVE FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES CASES If the FNS case listed on the Aged Authorization Detail Report is inactive and there is an outstanding claim, the county Program Integrity Unit may choose to contact the FNS unit to determine if the FNS unit wishes to voluntarily apply these benefits to pay on the FNS unit’s claims balance. If the FNS unit agrees to apply part or all of these benefits to the outstanding claim, follow instructions in Sections 810, 815, and 820, Methods of Payment.

165.03 BENEFITS EXPUNGED AFTER NINE (9) CONSECUTIVE MONTHS OF INACTIVITY A. Inactivity: Benefits will remain in the EBT account and available to the FNS household until the EBT account has been inactive for 9 consecutive months (274 days). When a FNS household fails to make any purchases within a 9-month period (274 days) of time they are considered inactive. All benefits will be automatically expunged by NC FAST from the EBT account when the account is inactive for 9 consecutive months (274 days). NC FAST will generate a notice that will be mailed to the FNS household 30 days prior to the expungement to inform them that the benefits will be expunged if the EBT account remains inactive. Once expunged the benefits cannot be restored to the FNS household. However, the FNS household can reactivate the EBT account by making a purchase on the 273rd day. The full benefit amount does not have to be spent all at once to prevent the benefits from being expunged. The days for the remaining benefits to be expunged will start over on day one after a purchase has been made. Note: The expungement is based on the activity of the account, not the date the benefits are received.