Policy Directive                                                      Issuance Number: FSC 03-18

Food Stamp Certification Manual                     Issuance Date: 12/01/03

From: Joni Jones, Director                                    Expiration Date: Until Superseded

Subj:  Changes to EBT Procedures

In the following sections of policy, EBT-related information was updated and/or FACTS information was removed.  There were no other changes. 

In the following sections of policy, while EBT-related information was updated and/or FACTS information was removed, there are certain other specific changes.  These specific changes are explained below:

FSC 980, 981, 981.2, & 981.5 - The agency responsible for authorizing drug addiction and alcoholism treatment centers has been changed to Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health Services, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention.  The new address of this agency is provided in FSC 981.5.

FSC 14100 - Type 100, release from hold was removed as valid transaction type. 

FSC 14131 - This policy section, "Release from Hold" was deleted.  Holds are no longer permitted.

FSC 14200 - A chart was added to this section. The chart provides:

• A list of the failure-to-extract error messages

• An explanation of the reason benefits failed to extract

• An explanation of the corrective action

FSC 14300 - The policy has been changed so that the designation of primary cardholder agrees with the current ANSWER procedures.

FSC 14350 - A chart containing an explanation of the procedures needed to reauthorize cancelled benefits was added to this section.

FSC 14360 - The time frames for availability of benefits have changed.  Benefits will now be available to the household for up to 12 months from the date of availability.  After that, the benefits will be expunged.

FSC 14800 - This section has been deleted.  Food stamp benefits are no longer converted to food stamp coupons when a household moves out of the state.

Inquiries to: Betty Helmbeck, Food Stamp Section, (501) 682-8284, Betty.Helmbeck@mail.state.ar.us