Benefit Access Cards

(A) Requirements. The individual authorized to access the household's SNAP benefits shall have an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card issued by the Department. This individual may be the primary applicant, another household member or an authorized representative. When an EBT card is issued to someone other than the individual in whose name the SNAP benefits are 364.910: continued issued, the EBT shall contain the name of the individual in whose name the SNAP benefits are issued and the name of the individual authorized to access the SNAP benefits. If requested by the individual in whose name the SNAP benefits are issued, an EBT card may be issued to both the head of household and the individual authorized to access the SNAP benefits. The primary applicant and/or the individual authorized to access the SNAP benefits must be informed that the Department may conduct matches authorized by law for the purposes of verifying eligibility and the effective administration of the Department's programs. (B) Emergency EBT Cards. Emergency EBT Cards shall be issued to the individual in whose name the SNAP benefits are issued, or the authorized representative. When the Department is unable to issue an initial or replacement EBT card because the Department's card issuance system is not functioning, the Emergency EBT Card will be valid for five days. (C) Replacement Fee. The Department may charge a fee to replace EBT Cards. This fee shall be deducted directly from the recipient's cash assistance benefits, if any. If no cash assistance benefits are available, the Department may deduct the fee from the recipient's SNAP benefits. 106 CMR 364.910(C) does not apply to disaster SNAP EBT cards issued in accordance with 106 CMR 366.620(B)(4).