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Department
of Human Services Families
First Online Policy Manual Authorization of Grants |
Revised: |
32.1 |
POLICY STATEMENT |
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Families First grants are received through
an Electronic Benefit transfer system (EBT). This is an on-line system in
which the recipient, or other designated payee (Protective Payee), can
electronically access assistance benefits with the use of a Benefit Security
Card. The grant is authorized by the caseworker assigned to the case, or
other caseworker or supervisor in the administrative structure who has update
access to the case. The grant is authorized by entering the appropriate reason codes in
the eligibility and case management system case file. After the caseworker authorizes the benefits, they are transmitted
nightly to the EBT processor. The
processor sets up the individual debit accounts, which allow participants to
access their benefits. Families First benefits can be accessed on the first day of each month
for active participants. For new
applicants, the benefits will usually be available the day after the grant is
authorized. The Benefit Security Card is mailed to the participant at the mailing
address listed in the eligibility and case management system. If there is a protective payee, a Benefit
Security Card will be mailed to the address listed on the eligibility and
case management system. The address
for the participant and the protective payee (if any) must be a legitimate
address and cannot be “General Delivery”. The Benefit Security Card will be mailed only to the caretaker
relative named in the eligibility and case management system unless a
protective payee is named. Refer to the EBT handbook for more detail. Refer to the Treatment
of Income chapter for grant amounts. |
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