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:
When benefits are first issued, Arkansas provides clients information about the fees and surcharges that stores may charge clients when using the EBT card to get cash from their TANF benefit accounts. Clients receive an informational brochure with the initial EBT card disbursement.
The brochure explains that clients receive two free ATM transactions per calendar month. For the third and subsequent TANF cash withdrawal in a calendar month, a retailer has the option to charge recipients a fee of $0.65 per transaction. Retailers are not permitted to charge a TANF recipient any other fees or surcharges in connection with the client’s use of their TANF benefit account.
Additionally, the EBT Customer Service telephone number is provided to clients so they can receive information related to lost or stolen cards, PIN retrieval, or report potential erroneous charges or fees.