Getting your EBT program Up and running

Sorting out the terminology: LINK, EBT, SNAP, and Food Stamps

Sorting out the terminology: LINK, EBT, SNAP, and Food Stamps ● ●

SNAP: S

upplemental

N

utrition

A

ssistance

P

rogram, formerly known as "food stamps” ● ● Administered by the USDA office of

F

ood and

N

utrition

S

ervices(FNS).

Federal program that helps low-income individuals and families buy the food they need for good health.

EBT:

card.

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system that allows recipients to access their SNAP benefits using a card similar to a credit

Sorting out the terminology: LINK, EBT, SNAP, and Food Stamps

Sorting out the terminology: LINK, EBT, SNAP, and Food Stamps cont..

•

LINK:

The name for the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system used in Illinois to distribute food and cash assistance benefits, including SNAP.

• The card used to redeem benefits is known as a Link card. Each state has a different name for its EBT system-- for example, Louisiana Purchase, Golden State Advantage (California), Oregon Trail, Lone Star (Texas), or Hoosier Works (Indiana).

Assists People in Transition

National Characteristics of SNAP Households

48%

of all participants are children

$711

is the average gross monthly income per SNAP household

79%

of all benefits go to households with children

58%

of households with children are headed by single parents Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2009, USDA FNS

Helps Families Make Healthier Choices Households CAN use SNAP benefits for: Households CANNOT use SNAP benefits for: SNAP-Eligible Food Purchases • Breads and cereals • Fruits and vegetables • Meats, fish and poultry • Dairy products • Fruit or Vegetable producing plants/seeds • Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco • Any nonfood items, such as pet foods, soaps, paper products • Vitamins and medicines • Food or hot meals that will be eaten on-site or in the store

SNAP Benefit $$$ in Billions FY 2011 preliminary numbers 2,99 71,8 US Illinois

Persons receiving SNAP Benefits

FY 2011 preliminary numbers 44 708 721 50 000 000 40 000 000 30 000 000 20 000 000 10 000 000 0 US Illinois 1 793 866

Is a LINK Program Feasible for your Market?

* Staffing and support ● LINK/EBT coordinator – Works the LINK booth/tent/table – Keeps track of receipts, tokens, incentive program – Prepares accounting reports

Is a LINK Program Feasible for your Market?

● Backroom Accounting – Processes checks for vendors – Pays transaction fees if any – Between 2-4 hours work per week

How SNAP/LINK works in the Market ● Needs a special redemption system ● Since most farmers/vendors do not have a machine at their stand for processing, a method of exchanging food for payment needs to be in place.

– Token, Script, or Receipt?

Token Paper Receipt

Redemption systems Token or Paper?

● Easier for Customers to use, more back end accounting for you.

● Accounting – Keep good accounting of stock – do 3 counts and record!

● ● ● 1 st of complete stock.

2 nd of Tokens given out.

3 rd of tokens coming back from Farmer.

Redemption systems “CHITs” ● Easier for Market Manager, more work for shopper ● Be sure to have extra Generic CHITs on hand.

● Keep all returned CHITs for accounting at end of day.

Farmer John 01

$10.00

Apples

● Ideas on Improving your existing program?

Incentive Programs LINK Up Illinois

D

ouble

V

alue

C

oupon

P

rogram (modeled after Wholesome Waves DVCP) helps to increase a SNAP recipients buying power for food at Farmers Markets.

This is basically a 2 for 1 program

(up to a certain amount)

Ideas on Improving your existing program?

Incentive Programs ● Helps to grow your market by reaching new customers who could not otherwise afford to purchase fresh and wholesome foods.

What did customers buy?

SNAP purchases 2011 season Honey 3% Dairy 6% Meats 6% Value Added Products 5% Baked Goods 19% Fruits & Veggies 61% a program of Data from 11 of the 20 LINK Up Illinois supported markets.

What did customers buy?

DVCP purchases 2011 season Dairy 5% Honey 4% Meats 5% Value Added Products 2% Baked Goods 14% Fruits & Veggies 70% a program of Data from 11 of the 20 LINK Up Illinois supported markets.

Basic First Steps

● Apply to with

F

ood and

N

utrition

S

ervice http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/retailers/application-process.htm

● ● Online application.

Turn around time less then 45 days, faster for Farmers Markets.

● Determine How to process payments ● ● ● Free EBT only Machine from FNS – Need phone line and electricity Voucher – Can combine with EBT machine Buy, rent, or get FREE Wireless Machine from third party processer – Responsible for processing fees

For help with bringing EBT/LINK to your market contact… Corey Chatman LINK Up Illinois Program Manager Email [email protected]

(o) 773-241-6044 (cell) 773-896-4450 Experimental Station 6100 S. Blackstone Chicago Il 60637