For more information contact:

Joseph Thornton, Media Coordinator/Public Information Specialist
Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
West Virginia Department of health and Human Resources
Phone: 304-558-7899 Fax: 304-558-7075
Cell: 304-546-7960 e-mail: josephthornton@wvdhhr.org

For immediate release

Cabell and Wayne Counties to pilot WV WORKS program

The Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) is in the final planning and development stage of an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system. The EBT system will be piloted in Cabell and Wayne Counties beginning October 1, 2002. The pilot EBT project will operate for four months to afford DHHR the opportunity to refine the EBT system design and implementation process with the assistance of various stakeholder groups. It is anticipated that the State will be issuing all food stamp and WV WORKS monthly cash benefits to those eligible to receive them in all counties by May 2003.

The EBT system will replace the issuance of paper food stamp coupons and monthly WV WORKS benefits with the use of a magnetic stripe card. It will allow eligible food stamp and WV WORKS monthly benefit recipients of the State of West Virginia to access their benefits utilizing Electronic Funds Transfer Technology. The magnetic stripe card, similar to a debit card, will be called the Mountain State Card and features a West Virginia outdoor scene on the card. Direct Deposit of WV WORKS monthly cash benefits remains an option for those who choose that delivery method.

EBT implementation is mandated for the issuance of food stamp benefits by the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The Mountain State Card will be used to purchase approved food items at FNS certified retailers and access their cash benefits at point of sale devices and automated teller machines for those who are eligible for WV WORKS cash benefits. The recipients of the benefits will experience more timely access to benefits because they will no longer have to receive them in the mail and the benefits will be available independent of week-ends and holidays. Benefits are less likely to be lost or stolen because the Mountain State Card is protected by a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Retailers and banks will eventually no longer

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"Cabell and Wayne counties to pilot WV WORKS program"

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have to sort and mail coupons and will receive settlement faster than with paper food stamp coupons, usually within two days of the transaction. DHHR has developed a website containing information about EBT with details about the West Virginia project. The web site address is , www.wvdhhr.org/ebt.

For more information about EBT, contact Gerald Luck, Project Director at 304-558-3092.

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