Background

In 2009 the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services began offering Ohioans a new way to receive their cash assistance benefits: via an electronic benefit transfer card, known as the Ohio EPPICard. The EPPICard is a prepaid MasterCard debit card that can be used at automatic teller machines, MasterCard member banks and any retailer that accepts MasterCard, such as grocery stores, retail establishments and pharmacies. In August 2009, the EPPICard and direct deposit were made the primary methods of issuance for cash assistance, and paper warrants were phased out over the six-month reapplication cycle. In order to access cash assistance benefits via the EPPICard, assistance groups must activate the card by selecting a personal identification number (PIN).

Card Activation

Beginning May 15, 2013, cash assistance benefits on unpinned EPPICards for more than 90 days from the date of issuance will be expunged on an ongoing basis until the card is pinned. Recipients will be notified of the 90-day expungement both in the card disclosure statement and on the approval notice.

No rule changes are being made affecting the eligibility of applicants or recipients, or to the way county agencies administer the cash assistance programs. Recipients have been notified of this requirement since 2009; however, we have not had the system capabilities to take the necessary action for collection until now.

If no additional revisions are made to the following rule prior to their finalization by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, they will become effective on a permanent basis on May 15, 2013. If changes are necessary, a copy of the revised rules will be forwarded to you at that time.

Below is a brief description of the rule change:

Chapter 1000

5101:1-2-70: Issuance of cash assistance benefits

Language has been added to this rule explaining the requirement that assistance groups must activate their EPPICards within 90 days from the date of issuance or benefits will be expunged.

Instructions: The following chart identifies the material that should be removed from the Cash Assistance Certification Handbook and the material that should be added: