Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)
EBT in West Virginia provides Supplemental Nutrtion Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, WV WORKS, Diversionary Cash Assistance and Child Support Incentive benefits by use of a card to access a benefit account. This method of benefit receipt and use replaces Food Stamp coupons and paper checks.
The United States Department of Agriculture regulations required that each state implement EBT by the year 2002. DHHR negotiated a contract with Citicorps Electronic Financial Services (CEFS) and began the EBT pilot in Cabell and Wayne counties on October 1, 2002. The pilot ran through December 31, 2002. The statewide EBT rollout was finished on May 1, 2003. Jerry Luck is the EBT Program Director for West Virginia.
In advance of EBT, a direct deposit initiative for WV WORKS cash assistance began in June 2000. This initiative was a joint effort between DHHR and the State Auditor's Office. Recipients of cash assistance may choose to have monthly benefits deposited into a personal checking or savings account. This method insures receipt of the benefit in a timely manner without the fear of non-delivery or theft of the benefit or without the inconvenience of having to go to a bank or grocery store to cash a check.
Learn more by visiting the EBT Program website.
