Monday, February 4, 2013

Georgia Lawmakers Introduce Bill Restricting Access to Cash Assistance

George has become the latest state to see legislation introduced that would restrict where Temporary Assistance for Needy Families payments, known as TANF, could be accessed electronically and how they could be used.

House Bill 138 would clamp down on the use of electronic benefits transfer cards, known as EBT, in certain types of businesses and for certain purposes.  not intended under the federal law that created the TANF program. The state law would also provide for reporting of suspected abuse, as well as investigations and sanctions against offenders.

The Georgia bill is just the latest in a parade of state legislative actions designed to cut down on misuse of TANF and other cash subsidies. A rash of media stories last month about abuse in the TANF program led to the introduction of restriction bills in states like New York, Indiana, Hawaii and now Georgia, industry analysts have observed. 

For more information visit the websites of the Electronic Funds Transfer Association and the eGovernment Payments Council. 

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