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the State can choose regarding issuance of food stamp benefits to eligible households. Federal and State regulations must be consulted for a complete depiction of the State’s food stamp issuance responsibilities. These State regulations describe the issuance of food stamp benefits using an Electronic Benefits Transfer System, as permitted by Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 274. Counties within the state were phased into EBT group by group. Statewide implementation of EBT was accomplished on December 1, 1995. Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 278, Participation of Retail Food Stores, Wholesale Food Concerns and Insured Financial Institutions, is also referenced as it pertains to part of this regulation. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 19, Issue No. 4, eff April 28, 1995. Amended by State Register Volume 21, Issue No. 6, eff Part 2, June 27, 1997. 114–2720. Definitions. The South Carolina Department of Social Services (SCDSS) incorporates by reference the definitions found in Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 274. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 19, Issue No. 4, eff April 28, 1995. Amended by State Register Volume 21, Issue No. 6, Part 2, eff June 27, 1997. 114–2730. Food Stamp Issuance. The South Carolina Department of Social Services issues food stamp benefits to eligible households through its Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system. SCDSS is responsible for the establishment of EBT accounts and transfer of food stamp benefits to the automated EBT system. SCDSS credits EBT accounts based on eligibility data and debits individual EBT accounts based on food purchase transactions performed by eligible households at authorized food retailer sites in the State through an electronic, real time point-of-sale system. SCDSS contracts with a financial services company (EBT Contractor) to provide the majority of the State’s EBT Services. HISTORY: Added by State Register Volume 19, Issue No. 4, eff April 28, 1995. Amended by State Register Volume 21, Issue No. 6, Part 2, eff June 27, 1997. 114–2740. Ongoing Major Responsibilities. A. County SCDSS Office Staff. (1) Establish eligibility of Food Stamp Program households; (2) Authorize production of EBT cards; (3) Train eligible households on the EBT system, the use and protection of the EBT card, food stamp benefit availability, Personal Identification Number (PIN) selection and security, etc.; (4) Receive and control embossed and encoded EBT cards; (5) Issue EBT cards and manage PIN selection: (6) Authorize conversion of EBT benefits to paper food stamp coupons in the event an eligible benefit group moves to an area inside or outside the State where EBT is not used as a method of food stamp benefit issuance. B. EBT Project Management Office (1) Manage/monitor authorized food retailer EBT participation; (2) Provide technical EBT assistance to the SCDSS county offices; (3) Physically produce all EBT cards for the State, and coordinate delivery of these cards to SCDSS county offices; (4) Process issuance authorizations for EBT benefits converted to paper food stamp coupons; (5) Satisfy reporting requirements mandated by Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 274; (6) Manage/monitor the activities of the EBT Contractor. C. EBT Contractor (1) Credit and debit EBT benefits based on transaction processing from SCDSS and authorized retailer’s point-of-sale devices;