South Carolina DSS Issues New EBT Cards

COLUMBIA, SC (08/17/2007)(readMedia)-- The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) will issue new Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to Food Stamp recipients during the month of September 2007.

Clients' current cards will be replaced by the new cards and the old cards will be deactivated by October 22, 2007. The Department is notifying clients of the change in several ways, including letters, posters, and meetings with caseworkers. This change affects approximately 255,000 households (700,000 Food Stamp recipients). New cards were needed due to the age of the existing debit cards. The new cards also will be easier to activate and will make it easier for clients to check their account balances.

South Carolina has used EBT as the delivery method for its Food Stamp Program since 1994. This is the first change-out of cards for the South Carolina program. Food Stamp households use their cards at approximately 2500 food retailers throughout the state. Food Stamp redemptions in the State total $600,000,000 yearly.

Food Stamp clients with questions about the new cards can call the Department of Social Services at 1-800-554-5268.