IM-11 February 9, 2023; IM-94 September 20, 2004
Provide all applicants and participants of Temporary Assistance cash with information regarding direct deposit. With direct deposit, cash benefits are deposited into a personal bank account instead of using the EBT card.
Explain the advantages of direct deposit to the participant:
- private control of money in his/her own account
- no worry over an aged benefit
- the ability to add money to the account
- the State is not able to track how cash benefits are spent
- the ability to pay bills electronically
- less expensive with no charge for using the ATM card at the participant’s local bank
If the participant currently has a checking/savings account, an IM-20 is completed. For a joint account, list all names in the “comments” area. When a participant requests direct deposit, add the information from the IM-20 Direct Deposit Agreement form to MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECT DEPOSIT ADD/UPDATE (DDEP).
There is a ten-day period for processing direct deposit requests. This is called the “Pre-Note” period. A paper check may be generated based on payroll closing dates.
If no direct deposit account is established, benefits revert to the EBT account.
Advise participants to verify with the bank that benefits have been credited to their account as no deposit notification is issued.
Staff can verify direct deposit using the IPAY issue numbers beginning with the prefix X and Y or by accessing DDIQ screen.
If the Temporary Assistance payment is a direct deposit, all cash payments to that individual will be by direct deposit, including:
- Supportive Services Payments issued by FSD
- Blind Pension
- Supplemental Aid to the Blind
- Supplemental Payments
The direct deposit is canceled if the bank is unable to locate an account or if the account has been closed. A “U” for undelivered is entered into the status column of IPAY. It is changed to “C” when the payment is canceled. Budget and Finance cancels the payment. Participants with EBT cards will receive cash benefits, including the undelivered benefit, on the EBT card. Participants without an EBT card will have one issued with this benefit.
If a participant has an EBT card, then chooses direct deposit, the cash benefits remaining in the EBT account can be accessed by the participant even after direct deposit starts.