Section 252.12. Access to benefits.

 

(1)   Access by recipient. The department shall provide the capability for the cardholder to access the appropriate food stamp account in retail food stores authorized by FNS within the Wisconsin EBT project area.

(2)   POS access.

(a) When paying for eligible food items in a store equipped with a POS terminal, the food stamp recipient's card is swiped through the terminal and the recipient enters the PIN to access the food stamp account. The system electronically verifies the PIN and the account balance, and sends an authorization or denial back to the retailer. If authorized, the recipient's account is debited for the amount of the purchase. If the total cost of the food items exceeds the balance in the account, the transaction will be denied. The account balance will be provided on the denial receipt. The recipient may then effect a second purchase transaction utilizing the account balance for selected eligible food items.

(b) Cash change will not be provided to the recipient.

(c) The EBT system shall provide a receipt to the recipient that will include the account balance.

(3)   Manual access.

(a) A manual process is required when a POS device is not available. A POS device is not available when the retailer does not have a POS device or the POS device is not useable. The retailer shall verify the recipient's account balance by calling retailer customer service. Except for situations in which the vendor's system is unavailable as provided in this subsection, if the retailer fails to verify the account balance and the recipient's account balance is insufficient to cover the amount of the transaction, the retailer is liable for the difference. The recipient shall sign the voucher and receive a copy of the voucher. If the retailer cannot access the EBT vendor's system because the EBT system is unavailable, the department shall allow purchases up to $40 for which the EBT vendor would be liable.

(b) The amount of the purchase will be withdrawn from the recipient's account pending the vendor's receipt of the voucher from the retailer. If the retailer has not submitted the voucher within 30 days, the amount will be returned to the recipient's account. The retailer shall bear liability for the transaction if benefits are not available.

(4)   Access in border states. Under federal policy, interested retailers in states bordering Wisconsin may be provided EBT system access if the department determines that the store's participation in the EBT system is necessary for recipient access based on demonstrated household shopping patterns.

History: Cr. Register, August, 1999, No. 524 , eff. 9-1-99.

Note

When the retailer is operating its own POS equipment, settlement of the transaction will occur to the bank holding the retailer's account on the next business day if received by the EBT vendor prior to their end of day cutoff. If there is a third party processor operating POS equipment, settlement of the transaction will occur to the third party processor's bank on the next business day. The third party processor is responsible for settling with the retailer according to their business agreement. Microsoft Windows NT 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1