Download Free Food Stamp Program Implementation Of Electronic Benefit Transfer Systems Book in PDF and EPUB Free Download. You can read online Food Stamp Program Implementation Of Electronic Benefit Transfer Systems and write the review.

Food Stamp Program: Implementation of Electronic Benefit Transfer Systems
This report addresses the request for information on the progress made by states in implementing electronic benefit transfer (EBT) systems for delivering benefits in the Food Stamp Program. In fiscal year 2001, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided about $15.5 billion in food stamp benefits to a total of about 17.3 million recipients. Until the mid- 1990s, most recipients used benefits provided in the form of paper coupons to purchase allowable food, but currenfly about 80 percent of all benefits are provided electronically. Recipients receiving their benefits electronically use cards, much like debit cards, to pay for their groceries at the checkout counter, and the benefits used are deducted from the recipients' monthly allocation. This report determines (1) the status of states' efforts to implement statewide EBT systems and to make them interoperable and portable, (2) any barriers impeding nationwide implementation of EBT systems, and (3) any strategies that USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) or the states have used to overcome barriers to EBT implementation. Actions were examined by taking the FNS and the 53 jurtsdictious-the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Island that are required to implement EBT systems to deliver food stamp benefits. Work was conducted from August 2001 through December 2001 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.
Distributed to some depository libraries in microfiche.
Distributed to some depository libraries in microfiche.
Abstract: The characteristics, potential impacts, and feasibility of an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) system are evaluated and discussed for food stamp program managers and operators and for other federal and state agencies. The EBT system would replace paper food stamp coupons with electronic transmission as the medium of exchange in the distribution of benefits to qualified food stamp program participants. Electronic transmission transactions can be transmitted from central files over a communications network linking the central file to retail food stores, or they can be generated by program participants using a specially issued plastic card which could be inserted into special terminals at the food store. Possible benefits of the EBT system include a notable reduction in fraud and abuse, a streamlining of the delivery system, reduction of administrative error, and reduced program operating costs. (wz).