Part 1.
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Chapter 3.
TEXAS WORKS
Subchapter OO. ELECTRONIC BENEFIT TRANSFER (EBT) RETAILER REQUIREMENTS
40 TAC §3.5006
The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes an
amendment to §3.5006, concerning off-line (manual) transactions, in its
Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Retailer Requirements chapter. The purpose
of the amendment is to comply with a federal interpretation and the implementation
of the new multi-vendor EBT system.
Eric M. Bost, commissioner, has determined that for the first five- year
period the section is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state
or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section.
Mr. Bost also has determined that for each year of the first five years
the section is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of adoption
of the proposed rules will be to simplify participating retailer requirements.
There will be no adverse economic effect on large, small, or micro businesses,
because the proposal makes acceptance of manual vouchers for food stamps an
option for retailers. Previously, accepting manual vouchers for food stamps
was a requirement for retailers. The proposal also extends the EBT retailer
management vendor's processing time frame for manual vouchers. There is no
anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed
section.
Questions about the content of this proposal may be directed to Jim Rammage
at (512) 231-5764 in DHS's Lone Star Technology Department. Written comments
on the proposal may be submitted to Supervisor, Rules and Handbooks Unit-129,
Texas Department of Human Services E-205, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030,
within 30 days of publication in the
Texas Register
.
Under §2007.003(b) of the Texas Government Code, the department has
determined that Chapter 2007 of the Government Code does not apply to these
rules. Accordingly, the department is not required to complete a takings impact
assessment regarding these rules.
The amendment is proposed under the Human Resources Code, Title
2, Chapter 31, which authorizes the department to administer financial assistance
programs.
The amendment implements the Human Resources Code, §31.001- 31.325.
§3.5006.Off-Line (Manual) Transactions.
(a)
(No change.)
(b)
Manual vouchers with preliminary telephone verification.
The following procedures apply when a retailer uses manual vouchers with preliminary
telephone verification:
(1)
A retailer
may, at his option,
[
(2)
(No change.)
(c)
Manual voucher submission and processing. This subsection
applies to manual vouchers with delayed telephone verification and preliminary
telephone verification.
(1)
The manual voucher must be:
[
(A)
completed properly and legibly;
[
(B)
signed by the client;
[
(C)
initialed by the sales clerk; and
[
(D)
authorized by telephone and bear the telephone authorization
number.
[
[
telephone authorization number.]
(2)
(No change.)
(3)
The retailer management EBT contractor must process submitted
manual vouchers within
three
[
(4)
(No change.)
(d)
(No change.)
(e)
Liability for off-line transactions. Liability is assessed
as follows:
(1)-(2)
(No change.)
(3)
A retailer is not required to process off-line (manual)
transactions [
(4)
(No change.)
(f)
(No change.)
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.
Filed with the Office of
the Secretary of State, on May 18, 2001.
TRD-200102789
Paul Leche
General Counsel, Legal Services
Texas Department of Human Services
Earliest possible date of adoption: July 1, 2001
For further information, please call: (512) 438-3108
Chapter 183.
BOARD FOR EVALUATION OF INTERPRETERS AND INTERPRETER CERTIFICATION
Subchapter B. PASSING SCORES
must
]
process off-line (manual)Food Stamp program redemptions
and
[
accounts when he is able to contact the EBT call center by telephone. A retailer
may, at his option, process off-line (manual)
] Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF) program cash-back redemptions when he is able to
contact the EBT call center by telephone.
The following
information must be entered properly and legibly on the manual voucher form:
]
full names
of the client and the sales clerk;
]
client's primary
account number (PAN) (this is the embossed number on the client's EBT debit
card);
]
total
purchase amount;
]
date of purchase; and
]
(E)
two
] banking business
days of receipt.
except when he is able to contact the EBT call center by
telephone for authorization
]. If authorization cannot be obtained before
or at the time of purchase, a retailer assumes the risk of insufficient benefits
being available in the client's account.
Part 6.
TEXAS COMMISSION FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING