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Plan: Washington PYs 2020-2023
Combined Plan C

Section: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program

Narrative: h.

Published
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:

    (OMB Control Number: 0970-0145)

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)

View corresponding narrative from PYs 2018-2019

Current Narrative:

Adequate authorized access to cash by recipients is ensured via an analysis required of the EBT vendor. The vendor is required by contract to perform a cash access assessment on an annual basis. The results are reviewed with the Department to address any drought identified, especially related to remote locations. If such a locale is identified during the annual review, the EBT vendor is prepared to deploy EBT-only POS machines that would allow case transactions and cash-back access for those clients.

As of August 1, 2012, the EBT ATM fee imposed by Washington State’s EBT vendor was eliminated. DSHS notifies clients that if they choose to withdraw cash benefits using an ATM, they may incur a surcharge for the transaction by the bank or ATM owner. Clients are encouraged to use POS terminals to avoid potential ATM surcharges. Retailers that accept EBT cards have the Quest mark decal that shows what benefits are accessible at each POS and ATM location.  Clients can also log onto their online account and search for Chase ATMs or the client can contact CSD to conduct a search of filtered retailers by ATM, POS, or both.

This information is provided on the form “Your DSHS Cash or Food Benefits” (DSHS 14-520), or the informational pamphlet “Your Washington EBT Quest Card” (DSHS 22-310), which is given over the counter in offices or mailed to clients. In May 2000, DSHS implemented Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), allowing TANF clients to have their cash assistance deposited if they have a new or current personal bank account. DSHS educates TANF clients about EFT enrollment when they receive the EBT card.