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VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES RECIPIENT CLAIMS

10/24 VOLUME V, PART XVII, PAGE 8

The BPS may not reduce the initial month's allotment at application or reapplication unless the household agrees to the reduction. The BPS must document this agreement.

The local or state department of social services may not use involuntary collection methods, such as state or federal offsets, against individuals in a household that is having its allotment reduced.

2. Lump Sum Payments (7 CFR 273.18(g)(4))

The local department of social services must accept any payment for a claim, whether it represents full or partial payment. The payment may be made with cash, check, or money order. The local department of social services may accept a credit or debit card for payments if the agency has the capability to accept these types of payments. The local department of social services must retain appropriate documentation of the payment.

3. Installment Payments (7 CFR 273.18(g)(5))

The local department of social services may accept installment payments as the result of a negotiated repayment agreement. The repayment agreement must include a due date for the payments. The payments may be made by cash, check, or money order. The local department of social services may accept a credit or debit card for payments if the agency has the capability to accept these types of payments. Unless a court order prohibits it, a certified household must make installment payments in an amount that is greater than the amount that is recoverable through benefit reduction. The local department of social services must retain appropriate documentation of the payments.

If the household does not submit a payment according to the terms of its negotiated repayment agreement, the claim is delinquent and subject to additional collection actions. If the household is participating in the program, benefit reduction must be invoked.

4. Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Accounts (7 CFR 273.18(g)(2))

The local department of social services must allow a household to pay its claim using benefits from its EBT account. At the household’s request, this reduction may be used in addition to allotment reduction or other repayment methods. If a certified household chooses EBT account deduction as the primary collection method, the monthly payment must be greater than the amount that is recoverable through allotment reduction, unless a court order prohibits it.

The local department of social services must obtain written permission from the household to collect from an EBT account. The household should complete the Repayment Agreement form to note permission for a one-time or monthly payment from the EBT account. The agency must send the household a receipt of each transaction.

After 365 days of inactivity, the local department of social services must also use any benefits expunged from the household’s EBT account of which the local department of social services is aware to offset the amount of the claim. This offset may be done at any time during the

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