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Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Cards

TAFDC, EAEDC and/or SNAP program benefits are loaded onto a card similar to a pre-paid credit card that the member uses to access their benefits. These cards are called Electronic Benefits Transfer or EBT cards.

Prohibited Uses of DTA Cash Assistance

Effective July 27, 2012, it is illegal to use cash benefits to pay for the following purchases or services with an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card: alcoholic beverages, court-ordered fees, fines, bail or bail bonds, firearms and ammunition, gambling, jewelry, lottery tickets, pornographic material or performances, tattoos or body piercings, tobacco products, or vacation services. A first offense will require repayment of the amount used illicitly. Subsequent offenses include repayment in addition to a temporary or permanent loss of benefits.

The law also makes it illegal for these businesses to accept cash benefits on a DTA EBT card: adult bookstores, or adult paraphernalia stores, or pornographic performance establishments, ammunitions dealers, gambling casinos or gaming establishments, cruise ships, firearms dealers, jewelry stores, liquor stores, manicure shops or aesthetic shops, rent-to-own stores, or tattoo parlors.

More Information on Prohibited Uses of EBT Cards

• Section above from: EAEDC program brochure (12/12).

Photo EBT Cards

Massachusetts is one of the first states to require SNAP EBT cards to include photos of recipients. Please note that the recipient's family or household members CAN legally use the benefits. The PIN is the key security feature and is like an electronic signature. If the proper PIN is used, the shopper should be able to use the card. This has, however, led to confusion as some store cashiers have turned away household members because they do not match the photos. Such practices violate federal rules, which require retailers to treat food stamp recipients like any other customer.  

Photo EBT Exempt Groups- If the card holder (head of SNAP household) is in one of the following groups, he or she is exempt from the photo requirement and can contact his or her DTA worker to get a non-photo ID. Those who are:

• under age 19
• over age 60
• people with disabilities
• domestic violence survivors and
• those with a religious objection to having a photo ID

Exempt groups advocacy tips:

• A victim of domestic violence can self-attest to the domestic violence and is not required to have a “heightened level of security” on his or her case. DTA will refer these individuals to a domestic violence specialist for any additional services needed.
• Clients with disabilities do not need to receive disability-based benefits in order to claim this exception, and do not need to verify the disability.
• Any EBT photo cardholder who turns 60, becomes disabled, becomes a victim of domestic violence or meets the other exception can also get a replacement “Valid without Photo” card issued at any time, for no fee.
• If the client is not eligible for SNAP benefits due to immigration status (but recieves SNAP for eligible household members such as citizen children), theywill also receive a "Valid Without Photo" card.

Rights- Stores must treat EBT card users the same as other customers. For example, a cashier cannot ask to see the EBT card unless all other customers paying by debit/credit card are also asked for a photo ID. Mass. Law Reform Institute (MLRI) has created informational flyers In English, and In Spanish.

Those who feel they have been discriminated against because they tried to pay with an EBT card, or were told they cannot use a household’s photo EBT card, are encouraged to call MLRI at 617-350-5480 x222.

SNAP and Photo EBT Cards: Information and Resource- MassLegalServices.org

Replacement Cards

Due to allegations that some members are selling their EBT cards, DTA has issued new rules on replacing or changing a cash assistance EBT card (DTA Operations Memo 2012-56, December 6, 2012). To get a replacement card, call or go to your local DTA office. DTA will deduct a $5 replacement fee from your next TAFDC or EAEDC semi-monthly grant. SNAP recipients who do not get cash assistance will not be charged a replacement fee. You will NOT get notice of your right to appeal the $5 fee and you will NOT get notice of the reasons a fee should not be charged.

You should NOT be charged a replacement fee if:

• You do not get any cash assistance.
• You need a replacement because of a disability. Ask for a disability accommodation.
• You need a replacement because of domestic violence. Ask for a domestic violence waiver or accommodation.
• You have a new SSN or changed your name.
• Your card was lost or damaged in the mail, or your card is defective.
• DTA sent you a card in the mail, but you requested another card before you received or had a chance to use the earlier card they mailed you.
• You got an emergency card that does not have your name on it and you want a card with your name.
• You applied for benefits and got a card but you were not approved and never used the card.
• Your case was closed for 30 days or more, you reapply, and you no longer have the card that was issued before.
• You card was lost or destroyed in a disaster or fire or flood.

DTA should issue your replacement card the day you request it or the following day. If DTA plans to charge the $5 replacement fee, they will give or send you a form notice that says you will be charged. You can request a refund if you disagree for one of the reasons above. If you request more than four replacement cards (including a SNAP-only card) in a 12-month period, you will have to speak with a DTA worker to get another card. If your worker is not available, you should speak with the worker on duty.

Important reminders:

• You will not get notice of your right to appeal the $5 fee and you will not get notice of the reasons a fee should not be charged. This may not be legal. Consult an advocate if you want to challenge the fee.
• You can avoid a replacement fee by telling DTA to deposit your benefits to your bank account. Check with your local bank to see if you can open an account that does not charge fees.
• SNAP recipients who get TAFDC or EAEDC will be charged a replacement fee but SNAP recipients who do not get cash assistance will not be charged a replacement fee. This may not be legal. Consult an advocate.
• Call customer service (800-997-2555) to report a lost or stolen card.

For more information contact Mass.Law Reform Institute, Deborah Harris, dharris@mlri.org, 617-357-0700 x 313 or Pat Baker, pbaker@mlri.org , 617-357-0700 x 328.

-From: http://www.masslegalservices.org/content/new-rules-replacing-or-changing-your-tafdc-or-eaedc-ebt-card

Discounts

EBT Card Holders Now Eligible for Free or Reduced Admissions at 100+ Museums and Cultural Venues- MGH Community News, August 2017

 

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