Located in:
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
States that include TANF in the Combined State Plan must outline how the State will meet the requirements of section 402 of the Social Security Act including how it will:
h. Ensure That Recipients of Assistance Provided Under the State Program Funded Under This Part Have the Ability to Use or Withdraw Assistance with Minimal Fees or Charges, Including an Opportunity to Access Assistance with No Fee or Charges, and Are Provided Information on Applicable Fees and Surcharges That Apply to Electronic Fund Transactions Involving the Assistance, and That Such Information is Made Publicly Available (section 402(a)(1)(a)(viii) of the Social Security Act)
Current Narrative:
Temporary Assistance recipients using Electronic Benefit Transfer transactions have access to use or withdraw assistance with minimal fees or charges. Access is available in any store that displays the QUEST Mark, or automated teller machine that displays the Quest Mark, Honor, or Shazam logos. Temporary Assistance Electronic Benefit Transfer transactions are not blocked at any retailer authorized as a vendor by the Food and Nutrition Service. Information regarding accessing benefits with no fees and when fees may apply are provided to each Temporary Assistance applicant and recipient, which includes the following information:
1) No fee is charged for the first withdrawal at an automated teller machine. There is an $.85 charge for each additional withdrawal;
2) No fee is charged for purchases at a point-of-sale terminal. There is an $.85 charge for each cash withdrawal; and
3) There may be additional surcharges by the retailer.
Information regarding accessing Temporary Assistance benefits is publicly available in the form of a brochure at each agency office and on the Internet at
http://dss.mo.gov/fsd/fstamp/pdf/im4ebt.pdf in English and
http://dss.mo.gov/fsd/fstamp/pdf/im4ebt.pdf in Spanish.
The agency will review on a case by case basis any participant report of inability to access their cash assistance due to the restriction of use at these locations.