What is an Electronic Benefits
Transfer (EBT) Program?
EBT or Electronic Benefit Transfer is an electronic method
to disperse government benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program (SNAP), using debit card technology and
retail Point-Of-Sale (POS) terminals.
What will the Mississippi EBT Program be
like?
Mississippi EBT may differ from other states that participate
in EBT. The Mississippi EBT program
benefits on the EBT card are for the SNAP program.
Clients who received paper
coupons in the past, will now receive an EBT card. The client's monthly SNAP benefits will be posted to
their EBT card on the same day the client had been issued
paper coupons in the past.
As a retailer, am I approved to participate
in EBT?
All retailers who have previously been approved by the
USDA to accept paper coupons in their store are automatically
approved to participate in the EBT program. Other retailers,
who have not been approved by the USDA to accept SNAP benefits
and would like to apply, should call 1-877-823-4369 for
an application. Visit USDA FNS (Food and Nutrition Service)
at www.fns.usda.gov
for information.
How do I get equipment to accept EBT?
There are three ways a retailer can participate in the EBT
program. Once a retailer has been approved to accept EBT,
A retail specialist from Affiliated Computer Services (ACS),
the primary contractor for the EBT, will contact the retailer.
The options are:
- State Issued POS Device
A new retailer automatically qualifies for equipment, if they
meet the critiques of FNS, to accept EBT in their store. This
equipment is free of cost, but is limited in options for the
EBT client. The state-issued machine will only accept the
SNAP benefits that have been placed on the EBT card.
A client would not be able to purchase or withdraw using their
TANF cash benefits at a retail store that uses the State issue
devise. This equipment is issued to the retailer under agreement
with ACS. If at any time the equipment is lost or stolen,
the retailer will be responsible for repaying ACS. The retailer
may keep the equipment as long as they meet these minimum
requirements:
- The retailer must keep a minimum average
of $100.00 per month SNAP redemption. If the
retailer is below this amount, the retailer will need
to use one of the other equipment options.
- The retailer must acquire approval through
the USDA, FNS to accept EBT.
- Manual Vouchers
Manual vouchers are used by retailers who do not have POS
equipment. A retailer with lower than the minimum average
may use these manual vouchers to accept EBT. A manual
voucher is approved through an automated system, and the retailer
is given an authorization number for the transaction.
- EBT through Third Party Processors (TPP)
A TPP is a commercial processor who processes all credit and
debit cards along with EBT. A retailer who uses a TPP will
be able to access all of the EBT benefits. Clients will
be able to use their SNAP benefits in a
retail store that uses a TPP.
I want to take all the benefits of EBT, but
there is cost involved in using the TPP, what should I do?
It is true that the TPP processors do charge small fees
to process EBT as with any other credit or debit cards.
In this case, retailers must make the best business decision
for their company. In most cases, retailers that have
total EBT access, have larger average sales. This is because
they are offering their customer every benefit: in turn, the
retailer creates a market for their store as being a full EBT
provider.
Once I am approved to accept EBT, what do
I do?
Once ACS receives the retailer authorization number issued
by the USDA, a retail specialist from ACS will contact the retailer
and instruct them on accepting EBT. If a retailer chooses to
use the state issued equipment, the retailer will be sent a
package containing a retail and equipment agreement and an ACH
form authorizing ACS to deposit money into the retailer's bank
account. A voided check from the retailer's account must be
included with the ACH form. Once this paper work is completed,
the ACS retail specialist will see that the POS hardware is
delivered.
Retailers who choose to use a TPP processor,
will also be contacted by ACS. At this time, the ACS employee
will need to know information concerning the TPP processor that
the retailer has chosen. The retailer may begin using
their TPP equipment to accept EBT immediately after the USDA
approval.
Who will be issued an EBT card?
Each Mississippi SNAP benefit household will be issued
an EBT card.
How will a customer know his/her account
balance?
A customer can find out their balance at any time using any
of the following options:
- Calling the Customer Service Help Line printed
on the back of their EBT card,
- Performing a "balance-inquiry-only"
transaction on the POS terminal installed at the food store,
or
- Reviewing the last EBT transaction receipt.
The customer's current account balance will be printed on
the bottom of each EBT receipt.
What happens if a customer does not have
sufficient funds to cover the purchase?
If the customer does not have enough benefits remaining in his/her
account to cover the purchase, the transaction will be denied,
and the receipt will display "Denied-Insufficient Balance".
They may pay the difference between the purchase amount and
the available balance in cash, the original purchase may be
reduced to an amount less than or equal to the remaining balance
in the SNAP account or the balance may be paid by conducting
a TANF transaction with the Mississippi Debit Mastercard, if the client is eligible for TANF. Please
note that in either case the transaction must be re-entered.
What retailers will be able to participate
in the Mississippi EBT Program?
Any FNS authorized food retailer is eligible to participate
in the Mississippi EBT Program.
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