The reason(s) for initiating, establishing, and entering claims into CARS is not changed. Overpayments can be repaid using the methods used prior to EBT. EBT allows for voluntary repayment of cash or food stamp claims using benefits in the EBT account, and using aged food stamp benefits to repay a food stamp claim. If the participant wishes to use the benefit to repay a claim or overpayment, reissue the benefits via the Payment Maintenance (FM5J) screen in FAMIS. Refer to the user guide Reissuing Aged Benefits for instructions. Then complete the voluntary repayment transaction.
If too many benefits are repaid, a negative balance is created. A negative balance on a claim is posted on OVPT, and the overpaid amount is reissued to the household. The negative balance for food stamps is reissued by State Office using code CNB on the Payment Maintenance (FM5J) screen. The negative balance for cash is reissued by State Office in the form of a check.
Follow Temporary Assistance and food stamp policy for establishing claims.
Participants are able to use available cash and food stamp benefits in the EBT account to repay benefits to the state. This transaction is completed through the Administrative Terminal after the applicant has signed an IM-114. County offices must designate an appropriate number of staff to have access to this transaction.
Cash benefits can only be used to pay cash claims and overissuances. Food stamp benefits can only be used to pay food stamp claims and overissuances. The system does not allow one program to repay the other. If a participant receives more benefits than entitled to and wants to repay the benefit to avoid the lengthy claim process, ask the participant to sign the Voluntary Repayment Authorization form, IM-114.
If a voluntary repayment transaction is completed and there is no claim on file, the transaction will not post. Program and Policy staff will contact county staff to determine why no claim is established. Once the claim is established, the payment will post.
If the designated person for your county is not available for several days to complete the voluntary repayment transaction, fax the IM-114 to the Program and Policy Unit in State Office. The fax number is (573)522-4333.
Cases with expunged benefits will be written to a file and compared to existing food stamp claims. Any case with expunged benefits and a food stamp claim will have the balance of the claim reduced by the amount of the expunged benefit up to the amount of the balance.