The Value of Electronic Benefits Transfer

EBT professionals talk among themselves about the advantages and scope of EBT. But it's nice to the work we've all done recognized by "civilians." The Fort Mill Times has a nice article on the advantages that electronic government payments, including EBT, bring to cardholders. The article recounts a recent study by the Center for Financial Services Innovation and Hudson Institute, "Double Duty: Payments Cards as a Doorway to Greater Financial Health."

 And you can read the article by clicking here.

Complete Agenda for the upcoming eGPC Spring Technology Meeting

The eGovernment Payments Council will hold its 2013 Spring Technology meeting April 10-11 in Fairfax, VA. The meeting will be hosted by the Electronic Funds Transfer Association. The focus of the meeting will be new technologies and their potential use in government payments delivery. Here is the complete agenda:

eGovernment Payments Council

Spring Business Meeting

Hosted by the Electronic Funds Transfer Association

4000 Legato Road, Suite 1100

Fairfax, VA 22033

April 10-11, 2013

Time	Item	Owner
1:00	Welcome	Mr. Pfeuffer
1:15	Approval of last meeting’s minutes	Mr. Pfeuffer, Ms. Rosenak
1:30	Committee Reports
	Legislative	Ms. Vollinger
	State Forum	Ms. Kagee
	Technology and Policy Caucus	Mr. Sena
	Rules and Practices Caucus	Ms. French
2:30	FNS Update	TBD
3:30	Break
3:45	EBT—The Next Generation Recap	Mr. Pfeuffer
4:15	Head in the Clouds: Cloud Computing and EBT	Mr. Sena
5:15	Day 1 Adjournment
8:30	What, Me Worry? Will the implementation of EMV standards affect your EBT program?	Mr. Conser
9:30	EBT—The Next Generation 2013: Planning Update	Mr. Pfeuffer
10:00	Break
10:30	Complying with Section 4004: How States Plan on Implementing TANF Restrictions	Ms. Kagee
11:30	New Business	Mr. Pfeuffer
12:00	Adjournment

To register, visit the Events and Registration page at www.efta.org. Registration will be available the week of January 21.

Welcome to The Wall!

Welcome to The Wall! I'd like to say that The Wall is the official "blog" of the eGovernment Payments Council, but, truth be told, it's not a blog at all. The Wall is the place on the Internet where EBT professionals meet to exchange ideas, share information, react to events within the electronic government payments community and proactively talk about upcoming events.


The Wall is a place where you'll find the latest information on electronic government payments--from electronic benefits transfer (EBT) to government-issued prepaid debit card programs to WIC EBT and beyond.


The Wall is a lot like those bulletin boards you used to see in the vestibules of small-town grocery stores. Only instead of a slightly used baby carriage for sale or an upcoming church fair, here you'll see alerts about proposed operating rules about to be published, job listings, conferences, and analysis of issues facing government electronic payment professionals. Just don't look for babysitting services!


A word of caution: When visiting The Wall you may see something you disagree with. It might be a proposed rule that we are alerting the community to. It might be analysis of a pending regulation. It might be a promotion for our annual conference. If something ticks you off, don't go away angry. Scroll down to the bottom of that particular post. You'll see a comment area. Comment. Tell the rest of us why you disagree. Think of it as informed graffiti.


Even better,  add to the discussion, if you  have information to share. You can also raise issues on The Wall. Get a comment thread  on a particular topic. It's up to you.


So this is The Wall. A market place of ideas for electronic payments professionals like you. It will become what you want it to become. Enjoy!