QUESTION
Why does it take so long for EBT card skimming victims to regain access to their benefits?
2:38:29
·
105 sec
The delay in regaining access to EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card benefits after skimming is addressed, with improvements noted following a change in state law.
- Until a recent change in state law, the Department of Social Services could not legally replace stolen benefits, only cards.
- Following the legislation change, the department has been able to replace stolen benefits and claims to process these claims quickly.
- Typically, benefits are reloaded onto cards within 3 days of determination, and applications rarely exceed ten days in processing time.
- There is an initiative to introduce chip technology in EBT cards as a long-term solution to prevent skimming.
Chris Banks
2:38:29
I just had a couple of questions, particularly about the scamming of the EBT cards.
2:38:37
And I wanted to know particularly specifically, I know earlier, one of my colleagues had asked about it, when a client or participant is reports or it's known that the EBITDA has been compromised.
2:38:53
The time frame after the investigation is being done, Why does it take so long for them to start getting back their their their benefits or their particularly the the the EBT card access.
Molly Wasow Park
2:39:08
Thank you, council member.
2:39:09
So until fairly recently, we actually didn't we're not legally allowed to replace benefit at all.
2:39:15
So when people reported Skimming, it was replaced your card, and that is the only option.
2:39:21
There was a change in state law that allowed us to replace benefits that were stolen.
2:39:28
I think we've actually been processing claims quite quickly.
2:39:31
One of my colleagues may have the time frame on that, but there are Yeah.
Chris Banks
2:39:35
We can get this the time frame.
2:39:37
That's what I'm more concerned about.
Molly Wasow Park
2:39:39
There are certainly many people who, if they experienced skimming, you know, a year ago, it they were not able to immediately apply for replacement benefits because frankly the replacement didn't exist.
2:39:51
We're very glad that it now does.
2:39:53
Although as I mentioned, I think the longer term solution is chipping the cards?
Jill Berry
2:39:59
So so on time frames, typically within 3 days of determination, the benefits are loaded on the card.
2:40:06
And we rarely have any applications that are more than ten days old.
2:40:11
You have consignments with longer time frames, just let us know.
