Ensure the household applying for cash assistance is informed of transaction fees. A transaction fee is a fee that is charged for cash withdrawals.
Transactions with no charges are:
- food stamp purchases
- balance inquiries
- purchases with cash benefits, and
- cash back when making purchases with cash
NOTE: If you receive a call from a participant that they have been charged a fee for any of the above transactions, contact the Program and Policy Unit. You will need to provide the card number, the name of the retailer, and a phone number for the retailer.
Transaction fees are deducted from the participant’s account as follows:
POS (point-of-sale machines in stores)
- $.85 for each withdrawal
ATM (automated teller machines)
- $.00 for 1st withdrawal
- $.85 for each additional withdrawal
The participant should always make sure to check the balance and add $.85 plus any surcharge (see 0150.015.20 Surcharges) to the amount being withdrawn. (Example: if a participant makes a balance inquiry and the balance is $150.00 s/he can withdraw up to $148.00, if $1.00 surcharge and $.85 transaction fee are deducted from the account.)
If the participant does not wish to pay these fees, discuss the direct deposit option (see 0150.005.00 Direct Deposit).