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:
The cardholder can use their EPPICard at vendor and bank locations worldwide that displays the Maestro or MasterCard logo.
Transactions performed at ATMs and some POS machine vendors are subject to surcharges by the financial institution or owner.
Form MDHS-EA-303A, Mississippi Debit MasterCard Program ePayment/EPPICard Customer Information Sheet, is provided to and discussed with the TANF recipient during the interview at application and redetermination. The MDHS-EA-303A also informs the recipient of merchant and bank locations where cash benefits may be redeemed. The card carrier mailed with the EPPICard also provides this information, as well as, EPPICard account access, card use and customer service information. Recipients may also access this information via the internet at https://www.eppicard.com/.
Fees: Purchase No fee Cash-back or Bank Teller Window No fee ATM Cash Withdrawal $1.75 each time ATM Balance Inquiry $.75 each time Card Replacement $5.00 Expedited Card Delivery $15.00 ATM Denial for Insufficient Funds $.50 after 3 requests (each call, each calendar month) Monthly Account Access by Calling Customer Service $.50 after 5 calls (each call, each calendar month)
Surcharges: A surcharge is an additional fee that may be charged for using a card at an ATM, or for withdrawing cash only at some point-of-sale machines in retail stores. The surcharge is charged by the owner of the equipment or financial institution supporting the ATM.
Banks and other retailers may have varying surcharges. Recipients may avoid the surcharge by accessing benefits at any Hancock, Trustmark or Regions Bank ATM.
TANF recipients are informed of benefit prohibitions by use of posters displayed in all MDHS county offices. In addition to the MDHS-EA-303A noted above, benefit use prohibitions are provided to all TANF households via the MDHS-EA-300, TANF Rights and Responsibilities, and the MDHS-EA-312, Personal Responsibility Contact. Benefit use prohibitions are also included in the TANF Approval Notice, the MDHS website, the EPPICard website, and through the recipient’s online account “My MDHS Account”. In addition, County and Regional Directors randomly observe TANF client interviews to ensure that eligibility workers are complying with requirements to explain benefit use and restrictions with TANF households.