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Vermont Department for Children and Families Economic Services Division All Programs Rules 2012 Payment 2012 Payment (04/15/1998, 98-6F) Payment refers to the form, frequency, and method by which aid or benefits become available to eligible individuals for their use or benefit. Conversion of payment method from check to direct deposit or EBT, or coupons to EBT, or cash to coupons does not constitute an adverse action. In the event an applicant or recipient appeals the designated payment method, benefits shall not be paid through the old method pending the outcome of the fair hearing. The department makes payment to or on behalf of eligible individuals through the following channels: • electronic benefit transfer (EBT) to the individual or the provider of a service, • vendor authorization to the provider of a service, or • check or direct deposit to the individual or the provider of a service. Direct deposit to a bank account other than the state EBT account is the required payment method for 3SquaresVT benefits to cash-out households when one of the following members of the 3SquaresVT cash-out household has a bank account: the head of household or his or her spouse. Direct deposit to another adult may be the payment method when requested by the head of household. EBT cash is the payment method for all other 3SquaresVT cash-out households. Direct deposit to a bank account other than the state EBT account is the required payment method for households eligible for state Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled-Essential Person (AABD-EP) program benefits when one of the following members of the AABD-EP household has a bank account: the head of household or his or her spouse. Direct deposit to another adult may be the payment method when requested by the head of household. EBT cash is the payment method for all other AABD-EP households. Direct deposit to a bank account other than the state EBT account is the required payment method for households receiving unrestricted cash benefits under the Reach Up program, when one of the following people living in the household has a bank account: • the Reach Up recipient-parent head of household or his or her spouse, • the Reach Up recipient caretaker (who is not a parent), • a sanctioned non-Reach Up recipient-parent when both parents have failed without good cause to participate in Reach Up, • the SSI-recipient parent (an SSI recipient is ineligible for Reach Up) or his or her spouse, • the SSI-recipient caretaker (who is not a parent), or • the non-Reach Up-recipient caretaker for the Reach Up children. Direct deposit is the required payment method for protective payees, where applicable, when the protective payee has such an account. Direct deposit to another adult may be the payment method when requested by the head of household. EBT cash is the payment method for all other Reach Up households. Benefits shall not be deposited to the bank account of a minor unless the minor is the head of household, or his or spouse living with the household. When direct deposit is the payment method, the applicant or recipient having the bank account must designate a bank name, account name, and account number and authorize payment of benefits into the account. It is the recipient’s responsibility to inform the department of any changes in bank, account name or account number.