Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-4-3-.01
Food Assistance issuance activity is contracted. All benefits are to be issued by the contractor in accordance with Federal issuance guidelines. EBT cards are mailed to the households when initially certified and benefits are issued according to an issuance schedule based on the last two digits of the Food Assistance case number. Federal regulations contained in 7 C.F.R. 274.1 through 274.11 are administered by the Department of Human Resources, Food Assistance Division. The Department has adopted the following options and waivers:
* Retailer Participation - Charges to Retailers/Reinstallation Fees, 7 CFR 274.3(a)(2): Waiver to allow the State to support a "Rights Upon Termination" clause in the retailer agreement that allows the Contractor to charge retailers a fee to re-install a POS device that was originally installed at government expense, if removal was due to FNS disqualification as an authorized retailer and the retailer is again authorized. The cost for reinstallation must be clearly specified in the retailer agreement and training material.
* Performance and Technical Standards - PIN Selection via Automated Response Unit (ARU), 7 CFR 274.8(b)(3)(ii)(C): Waiver to allow PIN selection to be handled through the ARU or SIVR/Help Desk.
* Retailer Adjustment - No Hold/15 Calendar Day Debit, 7CFR 274.2(g)(2)(ii): Waiver allowing implementation of an EBT adjustment system which does not place a hold on a household's account for the amount of the debit. Also allows states to act on the debit adjustment within 15 calendar days rather than 10 business days.
* Expunge Benefits for Deceased Single Person Households, 7 CFR 274.2(h)(2): Waiver to immediately expunge benefits for single-person households that are deceased. When an official notice of death has been received, the State will immediately expunge the remaining benefits from the EBT account.
Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-4-3-.01
Author: Julia Thomas
Statutory Authority: Food Stamp Act of 1977, 7 U.S.C. 2011 et seq; Code of Ala. 1975, § 38-2-6(17); 7 C.F.R. Subtitle B, Chapter II Subchapter C Section 274.2(a)(2) and (3), 274.2(c)(2) and (3).