Update on Emergency Allotments and Food Services in North Carolina
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Emergency Allotments
Last Issuance
February 2023
EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS
Per Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (signed on December 29, 2022):
•
Emergency allotments will end for all states with February 2023 as final issuance
month.
•
For NC FNS beneficiaries:
•
February 2023: Final issuance of emergency allotments to all eligible
households
•
March 2023: Benefit levels return to pre-pandemic levels (without emergency
allotment)
•
There is no longer a phase-out/transition month.
•
States can issue “catch up benefits” – when a household’s case is retroactively
updated and state is providing benefits for Feb 2023 or prior.
•
Public health emergency still in effect through January 11. TBD on end date for
PHE.
TOP QUESTIONS FROM CLIENTS – IN FAQ
Why is this ending?
The federal government has made the decision to end extra FNS benefits for COVID-19
(“emergency allotments”), with February 2023 being the final month for emergency allotments. As a
result, your benefits will go back to pre-pandemic, regular monthly benefit amounts starting March
2023. Neither the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services nor your local
department of social services has control over this change.
What is my new benefit amount?
You can view your regular monthly FNS benefit amount and your emergency allotment amount
online at
www.ebtedge.com
. Regular monthly FNS benefits are issued between the 3
rd
and 21
st
of
every month based on the last digit of the recipient’s SSN, while emergency allotments are issued
on or after the 22
nd
of the month.
TOP QUESTIONS FROM CLIENTS – IN FAQ
What other resources are available if I need more help with food?
To learn more about additional food and nutrition resources, visit
www.ncdhhs.gov/foodresources
If
you have children under 5 or are pregnant/breastfeeding, you may be eligible for WIC. Learn
more about WIC (
www.ncdhhs.gov/ncwic
) and complete a WIC referral online
(www.ncdhhs.gov/ncwicreferral)
Visit
www.nc211.org
or dial 211 to be connected to community resources
Can I appeal this?
The reduction of FNS benefits related to the end of emergency allotments is not subject to fair
hearings, as all states are required by the federal government to end FNS emergency allotments.
However, if you believe your FNS eligibility or benefits were improperly computed or that Federal
law or regulation is being misapplied or misinterpreted, you may request a fair hearing.
COMMUNICATIONS & TIMELINE
•
DCDL, Notice, FAQs
– posting today; sending to DSS Directors listserv as
well
•
Press release
– issuing Thursday afternoon
•
Posting general notice on DHHS FNS website and social media
–
Thursday afternoon
•
Notification to partners (e.g., food banks) –
today
•
Mailing general notices
– we will be printed and mailed in batches over
next few weeks
•
Hosting 2 Virtual Food and Nutrition Security Summits (Save the Date)
–
March 2
nd
(1 to 4PM) and March 3
rd
(9 AM to 12PM)
RECOMMENDED STEPS FOR COUNTIES
•
Make sure staff are aware and review FAQs prior to Thursday press
release
•
Consider issuing county press release
or other comms (e.g., county
website, social media)
about ending of EA and share DHHS resource
(
www.ncdhhs.gov/foodresources
) and any local program info
•
Contact local food bank/pantry partners
to inform them they may
see an increase in needs or referrals in March
•
Attend and invite local stakeholders to one of the Virtual Food and
Nutrition Summits
•
March 2, 2023, Registration Link
•
March 3, 2023, Registration Link
8
FNS
Card Skimming
Benefit Replacement Updates
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4
CARD SKIMMING
•
States required to submit plan to USDA by end of February; USDA issuing
guidance by end of January
•
100% federal dollars will be available for replacement benefits, under
certain conditions:
•
Benefits must have been stolen from October 1, 2022 through
September 30, 2024 (FFY2023 & FFY2024)
•
State can only replace benefits due to theft maximum of 2 times per
federal fiscal year
•
Replacement benefits are capped (lesser amount between amount
stolen and 2x the household’s monthly allotment)
•
Link to share NCDHHS tips for consumers:
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/child-and-family-well-being/food-and-
nutrition-services-food-stamps/card-skimmers-and-stolen-fns-benefits
RECOMMENDATIONS TO SHARE WITH CLIENTS:
Individuals using EBT cards are encouraged to take the following actions to keep their EBT
card/account secure:
Check EBT accounts regularly for unauthorized charges. You can check your balance
and/or replace a lost or stolen EBT card by visiting
www.ebtedge.com
, using the EBT Edge
mobile app or contacting the North Carolina EBT Call Center at 1-888-622-7328.
Check card reading machines in stores to make sure there is nothing suspicious overlayed
or attached to the card swiper.
Contact law enforcement to report the stolen benefits.
Call the EBT Call Center at 1-888-622-7328 to request a new EBT Card at no cost. Note: the
new card will not contain funds that were stolen from the previous card.
Select a “difficult” PIN (not 1234 or 4444). While this may not prevent card skimming, it is
a recommended safety practice.
Change the PIN to the EBT card regularly using a new number each time.
Block out-of-state and online purchases from their EBT Edge accounts or the mobile app.
BLOCKING THE EBT CARD
Cardholder Portal Enhancement – Blocking Out of State and/or Online Transactions
Using the Cardholder Portal and
ebt
EDGE Mobile Application, cardholders can take steps
to make their accounts more secure by blocking certain activities when they are not
being used. With the “Protect My Account” feature under Account Services, cardholders
can block out-of-state transactions when they are not traveling and can block internet
transactions when they are not shopping online by switching it on.
The blocks are entirely controlled by the cardholder and can be turned on or off as
needed. For more details, refer to the
May 17, 2022
, bulletin with its FAQ attachment.
FREEZING THE EBT CARD
The card freeze status is applied only by the cardholder. The card can be unfrozen by the
cardholder and by the EBT Call Center. While the card is frozen, purchases, withdrawals,
PIN select/changes, and Child Care transfers will be blocked.
1. To freeze a card, select a card from the Welcome page.
2. Select
Freeze Card
on the
Account Services
section of the Account Summary page.
3. When you click on
Freeze Card
, you see a pop-up asking for confirmation. Click
OK.
4
. When the card is frozen, the EBT Account tile on the Home page and the Account Services page both reflect
that the card is frozen:
5
. To unfreeze the card, click on the Unfreeze Card
tile. You will see a pop-up that says “When you unfreeze the
card, you or anyone with your card and PIN will be able to complete any transaction. You can freeze your card at
any time. Select OK to unfreeze your card.” Click on
OK
.
13
FNS Waivers
(Pending PHE
Timeline)
NORTH CAROLINA’S FNS COVID WAIVERS
•
Approved through March 31, 2023:
•
Extend certification periods up to 6 months and adjust periodic
reports
•
Waive eligibility interview if all mandatory verifications are
completed
(states can seek 12 month extension after PHE ends)
•
Telephonic signature
(states can seek permanent waiver after PHE)
•
Temporary suspension of claims activity
•
Waiver of fair hearing time frames
•
Extension of administrative disqualification hearing (ADH)
timeframes
NORTH CAROLINA’S FNS COVID WAIVERS
•
Pandemic-caused overissuance waiver
•
Prevent establishment of new claims – approved April 1, 2020
through July 31, 2022
•
Termination/write-off of claims – approved March 1, 2020 through
end of public health emergency
•
ABAWD waiver – goes thru end of month following month PHE ends
•
College student waiver – goes thru 30 days after PHE ends
•
H/I drug felon waiver- goes thru the end of month following month PHE
ends
16
SNAP
ARPA Projects
SNAP ARPA PROJECTS
18
What
Questions Are
There?
The latest update for Food and Nutrition Services in North Carolina indicates the end of emergency allotments in February 2023. Beneficiaries are advised to check their new benefit amounts online and explore additional food resources available. The communication timeline includes notices to be issued to DSS Directors, a press release, and notifications to partners like food banks.
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Presentation Transcript
Food and Nutrition Services Update January 2023 Economic Services Cynthia Ervin Jerquitta Hicks-Smallwood Division of Child and Family Well- Being
Emergency Allotments Last Issuance February 2023 2
EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS Per Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (signed on December 29, 2022): Emergency allotments will end for all states with February 2023 as final issuance month. For NC FNS beneficiaries: February 2023: Final issuance of emergency allotments to all eligible households March 2023: Benefit levels return to pre-pandemic levels (without emergency allotment) There is no longer a phase-out/transition month. States can issue catch up benefits when a household s case is retroactively updated and state is providing benefits for Feb 2023 or prior. Public health emergency still in effect through January 11. TBD on end date for PHE. 3 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
TOP QUESTIONS FROM CLIENTS IN FAQ Why is this ending? The federal government has made the decision to end extra FNS benefits for COVID-19 ( emergency allotments ), with February 2023 being the final month for emergency allotments. As a result, your benefits will go back to pre-pandemic, regular monthly benefit amounts starting March 2023. Neither the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services nor your local department of social services has control over this change. What is my new benefit amount? You can view your regular monthly FNS benefit amount and your emergency allotment amount online at www.ebtedge.com. Regular monthly FNS benefits are issued between the 3rd and 21st of every month based on the last digit of the recipient s SSN, while emergency allotments are issued on or after the 22nd of the month. 4 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
TOP QUESTIONS FROM CLIENTS IN FAQ What other resources are available if I need more help with food? To learn more about additional food and nutrition resources, visit www.ncdhhs.gov/foodresources If you have children under 5 or are pregnant/breastfeeding, you may be eligible for WIC. Learn more about WIC (www.ncdhhs.gov/ncwic) and complete a WIC referral online (www.ncdhhs.gov/ncwicreferral) Visit www.nc211.org or dial 211 to be connected to community resources Can I appeal this? The reduction of FNS benefits related to the end of emergency allotments is not subject to fair hearings, as all states are required by the federal government to end FNS emergency allotments. However, if you believe your FNS eligibility or benefits were improperly computed or that Federal law or regulation is being misapplied or misinterpreted, you may request a fair hearing. 5 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
COMMUNICATIONS & TIMELINE DCDL, Notice, FAQs posting today; sending to DSS Directors listserv as well Press release issuing Thursday afternoon Posting general notice on DHHS FNS website and social media Thursday afternoon Notification to partners (e.g., food banks) today Mailing general notices we will be printed and mailed in batches over next few weeks Hosting 2 Virtual Food and Nutrition Security Summits (Save the Date) March 2nd(1 to 4PM) and March 3rd (9 AM to 12PM) 6 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
RECOMMENDED STEPS FOR COUNTIES Make sure staff are aware and review FAQs prior to Thursday press release Consider issuing county press releaseor other comms (e.g., county website, social media) about ending of EA and share DHHS resource (www.ncdhhs.gov/foodresources) and any local program info Contact local food bank/pantry partners to inform them they may see an increase in needs or referrals in March Attend and invite local stakeholders to one of the Virtual Food and Nutrition Summits March 2, 2023, Registration Link March 3, 2023, Registration Link 7 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
FNSCard Skimming Benefit Replacement Updates October 1, 2022 - September 30, 2024 8
CARD SKIMMING States required to submit plan to USDA by end of February; USDA issuing guidance by end of January 100% federal dollars will be available for replacement benefits, under certain conditions: Benefits must have been stolen from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2024 (FFY2023 & FFY2024) State can only replace benefits due to theft maximum of 2 times per federal fiscal year Replacement benefits are capped (lesser amount between amount stolen and 2x the household s monthly allotment) Link to share NCDHHS tips for consumers: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/child-and-family-well-being/food-and- NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES nutrition-services-food-stamps/card-skimmers-and-stolen-fns-benefits 9
RECOMMENDATIONS TO SHARE WITH CLIENTS: Individuals using EBT cards are encouraged to take the following actions to keep their EBT card/account secure: Check EBT accounts regularly for unauthorized charges. You can check your balance and/or replace a lost or stolen EBT card by visiting www.ebtedge.com, using the EBT Edge mobile app or contacting the North Carolina EBT Call Center at 1-888-622-7328. Check card reading machines in stores to make sure there is nothing suspicious overlayed or attached to the card swiper. Contact law enforcement to report the stolen benefits. Call the EBT Call Center at 1-888-622-7328 to request a new EBT Card at no cost. Note: the new card will not contain funds that were stolen from the previous card. Select a difficult PIN (not 1234 or 4444). While this may not prevent card skimming, it is a recommended safety practice. Change the PIN to the EBT card regularly using a new number each time. Block out-of-state and online purchases from their EBT Edge accounts or the mobile app. 10 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
BLOCKING THE EBT CARD Cardholder Portal Enhancement Blocking Out of State and/or Online Transactions Using the Cardholder Portal and ebtEDGE Mobile Application, cardholders can take steps to make their accounts more secure by blocking certain activities when they are not being used. With the Protect My Account feature under Account Services, cardholders can block out-of-state transactions when they are not traveling and can block internet transactions when they are not shopping online by switching it on. The blocks are entirely controlled by the cardholder and can be turned on or off as needed. For more details, refer to the May 17, 2022, bulletin with its FAQ attachment. 11 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
FREEZING THE EBT CARD The card freeze status is applied only by the cardholder. The card can be unfrozen by the cardholder and by the EBT Call Center. While the card is frozen, purchases, withdrawals, PIN select/changes, and Child Care transfers will be blocked. 1. To freeze a card, select a card from the Welcome page. 2. Select Freeze Card on the Account Services section of the Account Summary page. 3. When you click on Freeze Card, you see a pop-up asking for confirmation. Click OK. 4. When the card is frozen, the EBT Account tile on the Home page and the Account Services page both reflect that the card is frozen: 5. To unfreeze the card, click on the Unfreeze Card tile. You will see a pop-up that says When you unfreeze the card, you or anyone with your card and PIN will be able to complete any transaction. You can freeze your card at any time. Select OK to unfreeze your card. Click on OK. 12 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
FNS Waivers (Pending PHE Timeline) 13
NORTH CAROLINAS FNS COVID WAIVERS Approved through March 31, 2023: Extend certification periods up to 6 months and adjust periodic reports Waive eligibility interview if all mandatory verifications are completed (states can seek 12 month extension after PHE ends) Telephonic signature (states can seek permanent waiver after PHE) Temporary suspension of claims activity Waiver of fair hearing time frames Extension of administrative disqualification hearing (ADH) timeframes 14 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
NORTH CAROLINAS FNS COVID WAIVERS Pandemic-caused overissuance waiver Prevent establishment of new claims approved April 1, 2020 through July 31, 2022 Termination/write-off of claims approved March 1, 2020 through end of public health emergency ABAWD waiver goes thru end of month following month PHE ends College student waiver goes thru 30 days after PHE ends H/I drug felon waiver- goes thru the end of month following month PHE ends 15 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SNAP ARPA PROJECTS Project e-Notices Text Messages Launch Date December 17, 2022 April 28, 2023 (proposed) September 30, 2023 (proposed) September 30, 2023 (proposed) Dashboards Online Recerts/Change of Circumstance (COC) 17 NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
What Questions Are There? 18
