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Vermont TANF State Plan Renewal October 1, 2024 through December 31, 2027 14

In August 2015, DCF utilized new EBT software to block access to TANF assistance at ATMs in approximately 65 identified prohibited locations.

Reports of prohibited EBT transactions will be referred to the DCF, Economic Services Division (ESD) Fraud Unit for further investigation.

(a)(1)(A)(viii) Ensure that recipients of assistance provided under the State program funded under this part have access to using or withdrawing 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.

Participants have the option of having their benefits directly deposited into their personal bank accounts, or, if they do not have a bank account, benefits can be accessed through their EBT card. Information about how and where to use the card is available to participants on the DCF website. ESD posts a list of financial institutions and merchants in the state who accept the card, including those who do not apply a surcharge to the transaction. When participants receive their EBT card, they are also given a flyer which explains that they can call the toll-free number to find out where they can withdraw their cash assistance at no cost.

Section 402(a)(8) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 602(a)(8)); Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, section 703 Each state must certify that it has established and is enforcing standards and procedures to ensure that applicants and potential applicants for TANF are notified of assistance made available by the state to victims of sexual harassment and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Eligibility workers and case managers are trained to refer victims and survivors of sexual harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking to the appropriate services in the community, including domestic violence agencies, victim’s services, and mental health services. Eligibility workers and case managers also inform TANF applicants of the applicable waivers and deferments available to them, in addition to the financial and food assistance and other supportive services that the Economic Services Division provides.

States must ensure that case workers and other agency personnel responsible for administering the TANF program are trained in: the nature and dynamics of sexual harassment and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking; state standards and procedures relating to the prevention of, and assistance for, individuals who are victims of sexual harassment or survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; and methods of ascertaining and ensuring the confidentiality of personal information and documentation related to applicants for assistance and their children who have provided notice about their experiences of sexual harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. New case managers and eligibility workers are trained in a combination of group and one-on-one sessions. These topics are included in the training content. Periodically “refresher trainings” are offered to ensure that staff feel comfortable addressing these difficult topics and offering the appropriate waivers and deferments. Procedures for both eligibility workers and case managers address the above topics as well. Sections 2201 and 2206 of Reach Up Eligibility rules address Domestic Violence: