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Resource | Research | Benefit Content/Cost WIC Vendor Management Study: 2015 EBT Pilot

The WIC Vendor Management Study: 2015 Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Pilot examined compliance with program requirements and rates of violations among WIC EBT vendors in 2015 and tested a method to identify and measure errors that contribute to improper payments in an EBT environment.

08/10/2022
Resource | Fact Sheets Modernizing the State Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowances

In October 2019, FNS published a proposed rule entitled “Standardization of State Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowances.” This action modernizes the standard utility allowances used in calculating Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in order to enhance program integrity and ensure equity among program participants.

10/01/2019
Resource | Fact Sheets Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Fact Sheet for New Retailers

-- How do people use SNAP benefits to buy food in my store?
-- How do I get POS equipment for my store?
-- If I am eligible and choose the state-supplied POS device, when will I get my equipment?
-- Who can I call if I have other questions?

07/16/2018
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Methods to Standardize State Standard Utility Allowances

This study develops standard methodologies that might be used to construct standard utility allowances, which are used by States as part of the SNAP eligibility and benefit determination.

08/04/2017
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations WIC Vendor Peer Group Study

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of state agencies current peer group systems, and to provide guidance to state agencies on how to evaluate and update their systems. Specifically, it uses empirical analysis to identify one or more effective models for establishing vendor peer groups that could apply to most state agencies.

05/31/2017
Resource | Final Rule Final Rule: SNAP Photo Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card Implementation Requirements

FNS is updating the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program regulations to set implementation parameters, prerequisites and operational standards required of state agencies that intend to implement the photo Electronic Benefit Transfer card option provided under Section 7(h)(9) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.

12/13/2016
Resource | Research | Assessing/Improving Operations Feasibility Study of Capturing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Purchases at the Point of Sale

This study examined the feasibility of creating a data collection system capable of directly and automatically providing USDA with item-level data on purchases made by SNAP households. Data would be captured at the point of sale from purchases made using EBT cards.

11/18/2016
Resource | Research | Demonstrations Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children (SEBTC) Demonstration: A Summary Report

The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children (SEBTC) demonstration distributed a monthly benefit during the summer on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) EBT cards to children eligible for free or reduced-price school meals. The first two summers (2011 and 2012) tested a $60 benefit amount. Summer 2013 compared the impacts of a $30 benefit to a $60 benefit, and summer 2014 examined implementation strategies and benefit use patterns. This comprehensive report presents results from the analysis of pooled data from all summer demonstrations.

05/11/2016
Resource | Final Rule Final Rule: WIC Implementation of Electronic Benefit Transfer-Related Provisions

This final rule considers public comments submitted in response to the proposed rule published Feb. 28, 2013 and implements the provisions set forth in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 related to electronic benefit transfer (EBT) for the WIC program.

03/01/2016
Resource | Research | General/Other Examination of Cash Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits in Puerto Rico

The Nutrition Assistance Program in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico provides a monthly benefit for food to low-income households that includes both cash and noncash portions. Three-fourths (75 percent) of the benefit must be redeemed for eligible food items through electronic benefit transfer (EBT) at certified retailers. The remaining 25 percent may be redeemed in cash. The entire benefit (both the noncash and cash portions) is to be used only for the purchase of eligible food items.

08/17/2015
Page updated: October 14, 2021