Transactions which are considered as accessing benefits are:
Food Stamps
Cash
Cash includes TRE payments issued by DWD.
Prior to October 1, 2008 Food Stamp and cash benefits were removed from the EBT account if the authorized benefit was not accessed by the participant, alternate payee, or household member(s) for a period of 90 days or longer. The term �aged� was used when this occurred.
Effective October 1, 2008 Food Stamp and cash benefits are no longer removed from the EBT account after 90 days, but are removed if the authorized benefit is not accessed for a period of 365 days or longer. The term �expunged� is used when this occurs.
Each month, on the 25th a file is received electronically from eFunds. The file identifies benefits which have not been accessed during the last 300 and 365 days. For benefits which have never been accessed, the availability date for the authorization is the date from which the 300 and 365 days is determined. For benefits which have been accessed, the last transaction date is used in the 300 and 365 day determination.
Prior to October 1, 2008, participants with an authorized benefit(s) which had not been accessed in 30 days were sent a 30-day, system-generated letter. The letter requested the participant contact his/her caseworker within 10 days to discuss a possible change in circumstances. If there had been no change in circumstances, the participant was directed to make a purchase using his/her EBT card. Accessing the account restarted the time frame for the aging process and prevented a second notice from being generated for that benefit.
If the benefit identified in the 30-day letter was accessed, or the participant does not contact the caseworker, another notice was sent at the end of 90 days from the availability date or the last transaction date. The notice informed the participant to contact his/her caseworker within 10 days to discuss any change in circumstances.
Effective October 1, 2008 Food Stamp benefits are no longer aged. Food Stamp benefits that are authorized and never accessed are expunged after the benefit becomes 365 days old. Benefits that are accessed, but not completely used, will be expunged when the last transaction is over 365 days old.
The status "AGE" appears on the Payment History screen (FM5F) in FAMIS and the aged amount appears in the Aged field of the Payment Maintenance (FM5J) screen.
Prior to October 1, 2008, participants with cash benefits which have not been accessed were sent one of three system-generated notices.
The above notices were not sent to cash participants who have changed the method of benefit delivery from EBT to direct deposit. Instead, these participants are sent the same notices as are sent to closed cases. This is because questions about continued eligibility are raised by non-use of benefits, but do not arise when the payment method has changed to direct deposit.
Effective October 1, 2008 Temporary Assistance benefits are no longer aged. Temporary Assistance benefits that are authorized and never accessed are expunged after the benefit becomes 365 days old. Benefits that are accessed, but not completely used, will be expunged when the last transaction is over 365 days old.
Prior to October 1, 2008, closed cash cases with unused benefits in an EBT account are sent one or more of the following system-generated notices:
Participants whose TRE payments age should call 1-800-877-8698.
The aged benefit is reissued by accessing the Payment History (FM5F) screen in FAMIS and flowing to the Payment Maintenance (FM5J) screen. Refer to user guide Reissuing Aged Benefits for instructions. Prior to entering the reissue request to replace aged benefits, the caseworker shall:
Prior to October 1, 2008, the benefit aged from the system when it was not accessed for 90 days. Food stamp benefits that were authorized and never accessed were expunged after the benefit becomes 365 days old. Benefits that were accessed, but not completely used, aged and then will be expunged when the last transaction is over 365 days old.
The monthly expungement process includes files from the previous month that meet the expungement criteria. This process will continue until all aged benefits have been expunged.
Effective October 1, 2008 Food Stamp benefits are no longer aged. Food Stamp benefits that are authorized and never accessed are expunged after the benefit becomes 365 days old. Benefits that are accessed, but not completely used, will be expunged when the last transaction is over 365 days old.
The benefit is canceled and updated in the Pay History screen in FAMIS to show the benefit is expunged. The status of the issuance is changed to �EXP�. To view the amount of the expunged benefit, select the issuance and press F16. The Payment Maintenance screen appears and the amount expunged appears in the Expunged field.
Effective October 1, 2008 participants currently in active status with an authorized benefit(s) which has not been accessed in 300 days will be sent a 300-day, system-generated letter. The letter requests the participant contact his/her caseworker within 10 days to discuss a possible change in circumstances. If there has been no change in circumstances, the participant is directed to make a purchase using his/her EBT card. Accessing the account restarts the time frame for the expunging process and prevents the benefits from being removed permanently.
If the benefit identified in the 300-day letter is not accessed, or the participant does not contact the caseworker, the benefits will be permanently expunged from the EBT account.
Prior to October 1, 2008, Temporary Assistance benefits were not expunged.
Effective October 1, 2008, Temporary Assistance benefits are no longer aged. Temporary Assistance benefits that are authorized and never accessed are expunged after the benefit becomes 365 days old. Benefits that are accessed, but not completely used, will be expunged when the last transaction is over 365 days old.
NOTE: Transitional Employment Benefits and Transportation Related Expenses are subgroups of Temporary Assistance benefits. These benefits are considered Temporary Assistance benefits for the EBT expungment process.