This letter transmits revisions to rules with the proposed effective date of August 1, 2009. If there are any changes made to any of the rules during the JCARR review period, corrected rules will be sent out in a future CAMTL. This cover letter includes a summary statement of policy changes. Each statement references the clearance control number (CCN) assigned when the policy change was placed into the clearance process.

Background

Starting February 1, 2009, we began offering Ohioans a new option for receiving their cash assistance benefits. The option is the Ohio EPPICard, a prepaid MasterCard debit card that can be used at ATMs, MasterCard member banks, and any retailer that accepts MasterCard such as grocery stores, retail establishments, and pharmacies. Effective August 2009, the Ohio EPPICard and direct deposit will be the methods of issuance for cash assistance, and paper warrants will be phased out over the six-month reapplication cycle.

Chapter 1000

Rule 5101:1-2-70 Issuance of Cash Assistance Benefits (CCN 6495)

This rule has been amended to remove language regarding the ongoing issuance of cash assistance benefits by paper warrant. All assistance groups completing an application or reapplication must have their cash benefit delivery changed from paper warrant to the Ohio EPPICard or direct deposit. The issuance of paper warrants will be phased out over a six-month period.

Rule 5101:1-2-80 Direct Deposit-Electronic Funds Transfer of Cash Assistance Payments (CCN 6495)

The following changes have been made to this rule:

• Language regarding the limitations of direct deposit of cash assistance payments for only recurring benefit payments has been removed because supplemental and auxiliary payments will now be issued as direct deposit as well;
• Language referring to the issuance of paper warrants for cash assistance payments has been removed;
• The good cause reasons for changing the direct deposit payment method to the electronic payment card have been revised to align with the requirements in rule 5101:1-2-70 of the Administrative Code;
• Language regarding the request for exemption to continue to receive a paper warrant has been removed;
• Reference to the JFS 07357 "Grant Payment Method Authorization-Mandatory" has been removed as this form is being obsoleted with this transmittal;
• References to the availability of direct deposit for recipients of the Refugee Cash Assistance program have been added to the rule.

JFS Forms

JFS 07344 Direct Deposit Authorization

This form has been revised and renamed to eliminate the option for assistance groups to receive a cash warrant. The JFS 07357 "Grant Payment Method Authorization-Mandatory" has been obsoleted. This form is only used for assistance groups who have chosen direct deposit as their issuance method.

CRIS-E

The following changes have been made in the CRIS-E system:

1.The cash payment method designation on the AEFPY screen is either "D" for direct deposit or "E" for the electronic payment card. There is no longer the option of "M" to issue a paper warrant.

2.In July 2009, an ad hoc notice will be sent to all assistance groups who are receiving cash benefits by paper warrant, notifying them of the changes in cash payment method options.

3.Supplemental and auxiliary benefits will follow the assistance group payee's issuance method rather than being sent by paper warrant.

4.The non-payee in two-parent assistance groups will receive their work allowance on the EPPICard.

Instructions