Published: 2002
Total Pages: 0
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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.
