Page 13

13

discovered as a result of the above efforts will be notified in writing of the State law and penalties for obtaining or using cash assistance from an EBT card in a restricted business.

TDHS’ OIG works with the Business Intelligence Unit, a division within Finance and Administration to develop a series of reports to monitor EBT transactions at restricted locations at liquor stores, adult cabaret, gaming establishments and tobacco stores. These reports are reviewed on a quarterly basis by the TDHS OIG. TDHS’ OIG investigates locations and recipients that are identified on the quarterly reports. Once investigated, the TDHS’ OIG will determine and establish claims in the amount of cash assistance accessed in a restricted location for customers that have received benefits in a restricted location per State law. TDHS’ OIG may also assess penalties on the businesses that violate the federal and state law. We will work to ensure that our TANF recipients have adequate access to their cash assistance. Business owners will provide the DHS OIG Division with ATM location details. Based on that information, the OIG will assess the restricted locations to determine if there are other nearby unrestricted businesses where benefits can be accessed. If there appears to be an access problem, the DHS OIG will then notify the TANF Program Director concerning locations where a customer may not have adequate access to their cash assistance. (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 Tennessee EBT Cash Access Location Report is available on the Department’s website (TN_locations.pdf). This report provides POS locations throughout the State of Tennessee with and without surcharge fees.

If determined needed, the DHS TANF team, along with OIG, will work with businesses in order to purchase POS systems that will be able to be used by customers without being charged a surcharge fee. The customer will have the opportunity to appeal any potential claim for using their cash assistance in a restricted location.

Brochures are provided by TDHS’ contracted EBT vendor to every recipient who uses an EBT card to access his/her benefits. These brochures thoroughly explain use, fees, and possible surcharges that apply to electronic fund transactions and penalties for illegal use including those for use at restricted businesses. The EBT brochure list the website to access the EBT account information. This website has a section titled “Program Material”, that provides the link for the TDHS TANF page. (I) INDICATE WHETHER IT INTENDS TO TREAT FAMILIES MOVING FROM ANOTHER STATE DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHER FAMILIES UNDER THE PROGRAM, AND IF SO HOW (SECTION