- TO:
- ALL COUNTY OFFICES
- FROM:
- ALYSON CAMPBELL, DIRECTOR
- SUBJECT:
- FOUR PLUS EBT CARD REPLACEMENT REQUESTS IN TWELVE CALENDAR MONTHS
DISCUSSION:
The Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has determined that frequent electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card replacement requests may be an indicator of fraudulent activities. The Family Support Division (FSD) is taking action to promote Food Stamp program integrity.
The FSD obtained a report of four or more card replacements in the 12 months between October 2011 and September 2012 from FIS/eFunds, the EBT card vendor. FSD will be mailing letters to the participants named on the report informing them that their EBT account will be monitored for replacement requests and that if they continue to request replacement cards that their case may be investigated to ensure the card is not being used in fraudulent activities. The letter lists violations of the Food Stamp program.
The FSD will monitor the impact of the letters by comparing the four plus EBT card replacement request report for the period ending September 2012 with the report that will be requested for the period ending March 2013.
The letters will be mailed from December 20, 2012 through January 2013. These letters may cause the participants to contact the FSD INFO Center or the local FSD offices for more information. The FSD must protect vulnerable populations such as frail elderly, homeless, or disabled individuals who may lose their cards repeatedly but are not committing fraud. The FSD staff must not deny replacement card requests from individuals that have received the letter. Share information with participants on proper use of the EBT card and offer an IM-4 EBT when the contact is in-person. Record a comment from the Eligibility Unit Member Role (EUMEMROL/FM3Z) screen in FAMIS documenting the reason for and response to the participant contact.
If FSD staff receive reports of Food Stamp participant fraud, record the participant's name if known, the store name, address, telephone number, and details about the incident. Refer the information to the Welfare Investigation Unit and record a comment from the Eligibility Unit Member Role (EUMEMROL/FM3Z) screen in FAMIS.
NECESSARY ACTION:
- Review this memorandum with appropriate staff.
ATTACHMENT:
AC/jo