- TO:
- ALL COUNTY OFFICES
- FROM:
- ALYSON CAMPBELL, DIRECTOR
- SUBJECT:
- SEBTC DEMONSTRATION PROJECT UPDATE
DISCUSSION:
Memorandum IM-#5, dated January 21, 2011, introduced the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children (SEBTC) demonstration grant in which 2500 randomly selected school-age children who are eligible for free or reduced school lunches will receive additional food benefits while school is not in session. The demonstration project is being piloted in the Kansas City, Hickman Mills, and Center school districts.
This memorandum provides updates on the project and instructions if an SEBTC participant contacts the county office in the following sections:
SEBTC Letters and Project Information
On February 22, 2011, the Local Investment Commission (LINC) sent a letter to families of eligible school-age children in the Kansas City, Hickman Mills, and Center school districts with information regarding SEBTC. Families were given the chance to opt out of participating in this project. A select number of children were randomly chosen to participate from those who did not opt out of the project. There are two groups of children selected:
- Benefit Group – 2500 children selected to receive the SEBTC benefits
- Control Group – 2500 children selected to participate in the research project but are not receiving the SEBTC benefits
On May 3 a second letter was sent to families who are in the Benefit Group and Control Group. An SEBTC brochure was also sent to the Benefit Group. Copies of the letters and the brochure are attached.
Benefit Availability
SEBTC benefits are being issued outside of the FAMIS system by central office staff. The benefits do not appear in FAMIS, even if the participant receives Temporary Assistance or Food Stamp benefits. The benefits appear on the Benefit screen in EBT Edge as Program type SFP.
Once SEBTC benefits are available, they will be included in the Food Stamp
balance in the Case Information section of each EBT screen. They are also
included in the Food Stamp balance on the receipt when the participant uses
his/her EBT card and when s/he calls 1-800-997-7777.
June benefits in the amount of $60 per eligible child are being issued through
EBT by central office staff. June SEBTC benefits will be available to participants
at 5 p.m. on May 31, 2011.
July benefits in the amount of $60 per eligible child will be available at 6 a.m. on June 30, 2011. A prorated allotment of $32 per eligible child will be available at 6 a.m. on July 31 for the month of August. Any SEBTC benefits remaining on the EBT card at 11:59 p.m. on August 16 will be expunged. Once school is back in session, school-age children will again have access to the National School Lunch Program.
NOTE: The SEBTC benefits will be expunged after 11:59 p.m. on August 16, however this does NOT impact the participant’s Food Stamp or Temporary Assistance benefits. These benefits will be untouched by this process.
Instructions for County Staff
If an SEBTC participant contacts the county office, take the following actions:
- Lost, Stolen, or Damaged card report:
- If the SEBTC participant is also a Temporary Assistance or Food Stamp participant, cancel and reissue the card following normal procedures;
- If s/he does not also receive Temporary Assistance or Food Stamp
benefits and the address is:
- correct – cancel and reissue the card following normal procedures, if possible, or refer to the EBT customer service number 1-800-997-7777; or
- incorrect – cancel the card and refer the participant to LINC at 816-410-8367.
- Lost or stolen benefits or destroyed food:
- Give the participant an IM-110 to complete following normal procedures.
- Once completed, forward the IM-110 to the Income Maintenance Program and Policy Unit for processing at ColeFSPolicy@dss.mo.gov.
- Other questions regarding the SEBTC program:
- Refer the participant to LINC at 816-410-8367.
Benefits can only be issued by central office staff. Address changes for SEBTC-only participants can only be completed by central office staff.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with all appropriate staff.
JKW
Attachments:
Benefit Group letter
Control Group letter
SEBTC brochure – English
SEBTC brochure – Spanish