Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Electronic Benefit Transfer shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Electronic Benefit Transfer offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Electronic Benefit Transfer at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Electronic Benefit Transfer? Wrong! If the Electronic Benefit Transfer is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Electronic Benefit Transfer then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Electronic Benefit Transfer? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Electronic Benefit Transfer and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Electronic Benefit Transfer wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Electronic Benefit Transfer then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Electronic Benefit Transfer site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Electronic Benefit Transfer, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Electronic Benefit Transfer, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system in the United States that allows state governments to provide benefits to authorized recipients via a plastic debit card. Common benefits provided via EBT are typically sorted into two general categories:
Food Stamp and Cash benefits. Food stamp benefits are federally authorized benefits that can be used only to purchase food. Cash benefits include State General Assistance, TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) benefits and
refugee benefits.
Usage
Through EBT, a recipient uses his/her EBT card to make purchases at participating retailers. Food Stamp benefits can be used only to purchase food items authorized by the USDA's Food Stamp program. Cash benefits may be used to purchase any item at a participating retailer, as well as to obtain cash-back or make a cash withdrawal from a participating ATM.
State food stamp agencies work with contractors to procure their own EBT systems for delivery of food stamps and other state-administered benefit programs. In the United States, all food stamp benefits are now being issued via EBT.
For example, in the Food Stamp Program, food stamp recipients apply for their benefits in the usual way, by filling out a form at their local food stamp office. Once eligibility and level of benefits have been determined, information is transferred to the state's EBT contractor and a pseudo-account is established in the participant's name, and food stamp benefits are deposited electronically in the account each month. A plastic debit card, similar to a bank card, is issued and a
personal identification number (PIN) is assigned or chosen by the recipient to give access to the account. Recipients are offered the opportunity to change the PIN at any time, and are offered ongoing training if they have any problems accessing the system.
All but two states have systems that use magnetic stripe cards and "on-line" authorization of transactions. When paying for groceries, the food stamp customer's card is run through an electronic reader or a
point of sale terminal (POS), and the recipient enters the secret PIN to access the food stamp account. Then, electronically, the processor verifies the PIN and the account balance, and sends an authorization or denial back to the retailer. The recipient's account is then debited for the amount of the purchase, and the retailer's account is credited. No money and no Food Stamps change hands. Payment is made to the retailer through a settlement process at the end of the business day. Most states' online EBT systems are interoperable through the
Quest network, which is sponsored by the Electronic Benefits and Services Council (formerly the EBT Council) of NACHA-The Electronic Payments Association.
States may also use "smart card" microprocessor chip cards in systems that are "off-line." In these systems, the transaction is authorized between the chip in the card and the (POS) device. The PIN is verified by the chip and the chip is debited for the purchase amount. There is no on-line communication with a host computer during the transaction. At the end of the business day, the POS electronically contacts the host to perform settlement and update the database information.
EBT food stamp accounts are often recharged at the beginning of each month; in New Hampshire it is the 5th of each month. However, Arkansas recharges EBT food stamp accounts at different times of the month for each recipient based on his/her Social Security number.
See also
External links
- USDA Food & Nutrition Service
- Electronic Benefits and Services Council
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system in the United States that allows state governments to provide benefits to authorized recipients via a plastic debit card. Common benefits provided via EBT are typically sorted into two general categories: Food Stamp and
Cash benefits. Food stamp benefits are federally authorized benefits that can be used only to purchase food. Cash benefits include State General Assistance, TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) benefits and
refugee benefits.
Usage
Through EBT, a recipient uses his/her EBT card to make purchases at participating retailers. Food Stamp benefits can be used only to purchase food items authorized by the USDA's Food Stamp program. Cash benefits may be used to purchase any item at a participating retailer, as well as to obtain cash-back or make a cash withdrawal from a participating ATM.
State food stamp agencies work with contractors to procure their own EBT systems for delivery of food stamps and other state-administered benefit programs. In the United States, all food stamp benefits are now being issued via EBT.
For example, in the Food Stamp Program, food stamp recipients apply for their benefits in the usual way, by filling out a form at their local food stamp office. Once eligibility and level of benefits have been determined, information is transferred to the state's EBT contractor and a pseudo-account is established in the participant's name, and food stamp benefits are deposited electronically in the account each month. A plastic debit card, similar to a bank card, is issued and a
personal identification number (PIN) is assigned or chosen by the recipient to give access to the account. Recipients are offered the opportunity to change the PIN at any time, and are offered ongoing training if they have any problems accessing the system.
All but two states have systems that use magnetic stripe cards and "on-line" authorization of transactions. When paying for groceries, the food stamp customer's card is run through an electronic reader or a point of sale terminal (POS), and the recipient enters the secret PIN to access the food stamp account. Then, electronically, the processor verifies the PIN and the account balance, and sends an authorization or denial back to the retailer. The recipient's account is then debited for the amount of the purchase, and the retailer's account is credited. No money and no Food Stamps change hands. Payment is made to the retailer through a settlement process at the end of the business day. Most states' online EBT systems are interoperable through the
Quest network, which is sponsored by the Electronic Benefits and Services Council (formerly the EBT Council) of
NACHA-The Electronic Payments Association.
States may also use "smart card" microprocessor chip cards in systems that are "off-line." In these systems, the transaction is authorized between the chip in the card and the (POS) device. The PIN is verified by the chip and the chip is debited for the purchase amount. There is no on-line communication with a host computer during the transaction. At the end of the business day, the POS electronically contacts the host to perform settlement and update the database information.
EBT food stamp accounts are often recharged at the beginning of each month; in New Hampshire it is the 5th of each month. However, Arkansas recharges EBT food stamp accounts at different times of the month for each recipient based on his/her Social Security number.
See also
External links
- USDA Food & Nutrition Service
- Electronic Benefits and Services Council
