606-1          ISSUING MONTHLY BENEFITS

Eligible households are issued food stamp benefits on a monthly basis.

606-1 A.     MONTHLY FOOD STAMP ISSUANCE

1. Electronic Benefits: Alaska Quest Card

Food stamps are issued through electronic benefit transfer ( EBT Electronic Benefit Transfer ) and accessed by the household through the Alaska Quest card.  Refer to EIS Procedure 2010-1.

2. Issuances to Households with Special Needs

The caseworker is responsible for timely issuing food stamps to certified households, and for ensuring that households with special needs receive their food stamps.  Households with special needs may include:

1. Elderly or disabled members;
    

2. Homeless persons that do not have a fixed mailing address.

The caseworker will assist these households if necessary by helping obtain an authorized representative.  Homeless persons without a mailing address may need help locating an authorized representative to whom food stamps can be mailed in care of, or help in understanding General Delivery.

In rare situations, an EBT Electronic Benefit Transfer card may need to be mailed to a local Public Assistance office. The caseworker must have approval from the EBT Helpdesk prior to issuing the card.