DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES

Division of Social Services

PROPOSED

PUBLIC NOTICE

Food Supplement Program

General Information and Identification Cards

In compliance with the State's Administrative Procedures Act (APA - Title 29, Chapter 101 of the Delaware Code) and under the authority of Title 31 of the Delaware Code, Chapter 5, Section 512, Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) / Division of Social Services is proposing to amend policies in the Division of Social Services Manual (DSSM) regarding the Food Supplement Program regarding General Information and Identification Cards.

Any person who wishes to make written suggestions, compilations of data, testimony, briefs or other written materials concerning the proposed new regulations must submit same to Sharon L. Summers, Policy, Program & Development Unit, Division of Social Services, 1901 North DuPont Highway, P.O. Box 906, New Castle, Delaware 19720-0906 or by fax to (302) 255-4425 by December 31, 2012.

The action concerning the determination of whether to adopt the proposed regulation will be based upon the results of Department and Division staff analysis and the consideration of the comments and written materials filed by other interested persons.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL

The proposal described below amends policies in the Division of Social Services Manual (DSSM) regarding the Food Supplement Program, specifically, General Information and Identification Cards. The Division of Social Services (DSS) is amending and removing regulations requiring the issuance of identification cards to each certified food benefit household that are no longer applicable. Food and Nutrition Service removed this requirement from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

Statutory Authority

7 CFR Part 274, Issuance and Use of Program Benefits

Background

Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system that allows a recipient to authorize transfer of their government benefits from a Federal account to a retailer account to pay for products received. EBT is used in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. EBT has been implemented in all States since June of 2004.

Each food benefit unit certified as eligible to participate in the program is issued an EBT card. This card is the required proof of eligibility issued to households to use food benefits.

Food benefits are electronically deposited into a household’s EBT account on a monthly basis. Therefore, identification cards are no longer needed as proof of program eligibility to pick up benefits.

Summary of Proposed Changes

DSSM 2022.1, General Information and DSSM 9072, Identification Cards RESERVED: With the implementation of the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card, it is no longer necessary for food benefit clients to be issued a Division of Social Services (DSS) identification card.

DSS PROPOSED REGULATIONS #12-51

REVISIONS:

2022.1 General Information

Issue a serially numbered photo-ID card to each certified Food Stamp household and/or each approved Cash Assistance payee as proof of program eligibility.

Issue the ID card in the name of the household/assistance unit member to whom the food stamps/check is issued. The participant/recipient and any authorized representative will sign the card in ink and it will be laminated in the DSS office.

For Voluntary Protective payees in TANF, GA, or RCA, issue the protective payee an ID card with his/her picture on the front of the ID card. The DCIS number of the case for whom he/she is the protective payee, will also be on the front of the ID card.

Limit issuance of ID cards to the time of initial certification with replacement made only in instances of loss, mutilation, destruction, changes in authorized representative, or when DSS determines that new ID cards are needed. Whenever possible, collect the ID card that is being replaced, and any other old ID cards that are in the client's possession.

Do not issue cards having typographical errors or other defects. Banks will not honor ID cards with characters whited out or strikeovers, and will confiscate these cards.

Use cameras for official purposes only. Destroy any pictures taken to test a camera.

Store cameras in a location which ensures that no unauthorized person can have access to them.

At no time may an ID photo be taken when an individual is wearing sunglasses.

Issue temporary (non-photo, unlaminated) ID cards when camera equipment/supplies are unavailable or inoperable. Using the usual ID card, limit use by indicating:

"valid for _______________________only."

(current month/year)

Do not use letters of identification as they are not serially numbered and compromise the bank's mandated record keeping processes.

(Break in Continuity of Sections)

[274.10]

Issue a serially numbered photo-ID card to each certified Food Stamp household as proof of program eligibility. Do not deny or delay Food Stamp benefits because of a household member's inability or refusal to be photographed.

Refer to 2022.1 for general information on issuing the ID cards for all programs.