Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)

(A) Requirement. Payment of cash benefits not made through Direct Deposit or check shall be made through the electronic benefit transfer (EBT) method at the discretion of the Department. Refer to 106 CMR 706.400. (B) EBT Accessibility. Cash benefits paid through EBT shall be accessible to the grantee or to an authorized payee as designated by the grantee. Refer to 106 CMR 701.370: Authorized Payee - Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT). The grantee and/or the authorized payee must use his or her EBT card and personal identification number (PIN) to have access to EBT for the withdrawal/debit of cash benefits. 706.420: continued (C) Replacement of Electronic Benefit Transfer Card (EBT). Replacement of a lost or stolen EBT Card shall be in accordance with 106 CMR 701.450: Electronic Benefit Cards. (D) Inactive EBT Accounts. When an EBT cash benefit authorization remains unaccessed for 90 consecutive days, the Department shall notify the grantee that the EBT cash benefits have been expunged. These expunged EBT cash benefits may be restored to the grantee within the next six months upon request. The local office director or designee must approve or deny the request for restoration of the expunged cash benefits. Situations when the restorations may be approved include, but are not limited to: (1) temporary absence in accordance with 106 CMR 703.360: Temporary Absence; (2) hospitalization; or (3) an emergency that prevented the client from accessing the EBT cash benefits within the 90 days. Expunged EBT cash benefits that are not restored within the following six months, shall be permanently expunged. (E) Special Rules Regarding Recovery of Unaccessed EBT Cash Benefits. (1) Unaccessed EBT cash benefits may be recovered immediately in their entirety if it has been confirmed that the benefits were issued when the grantee was ineligible by reason of being incarcerated in a penal institution. (2) Unaccessed EBT cash benefits may be recovered in their entirety within 48 hours of issuance if the issuance was due to Department or banking error. After the 48 hours have elapsed, with the exception of circumstances described in 106 CMR 706.420 (E)(1), recovery must be made as provided in 106 CMR 706.290. (F) EBT High Balances. Notices requesting a case review will be sent to grantees who have EBT balances higher than $4,000. Grantees must contact the Department within 30 days of the notice. Failure to contact the Department shall result in case termination. If the case is terminated and a case review is subsequently held, the Department must re-open the case if all other eligibility requirements are met. If the EBT balance is $5,000 or higher, and the grantee fails to complete the case review, the Department shall expunge and recoup any amount in excess of $5,000.