Webinar: The Next Frontier in Public Benefits: Electronic Benefit Cards
The Sargent Shriver National Center of Porverty will be presenting a webinar entitled, The Next Frontier in Public Benefits: Electronic Benefit Cards, on Thursday, February 3, 2011 from 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm Eastern.
Over the past 20 years electronic deposit and electronic benefit transfers (EBT) have replaced paper checks for the delivery of public assistance benefits. Recently, more and more states are transitioning away from EBTs and toward the use of electronic payment cards (EPCs) – i.e., prepaid Visa or MasterCard branded cards. These cards deliver government benefits by allowing recipients to use a plastic card to access their benefits through ATMs and point of sale (POS) devices located in select retail outlets.
Last month, the U.S. Treasury finalized a new regulation that requires federal public benefit payments to be delivered via direct deposit or Direct Express Debit MasterCard, a form of EPC. Although EPC systems appear to be an effective and efficient way to distribute benefits, there are potential negative ramifications for low income families.
This webinar will discuss the differences between various benefit payment methods and investigate the implications of the new trend toward EPCs for low-income families. Topics include an overview of the difference between electronic benefit transfers and electronic payment cards, the Treasury’s new regulations requiring the electronic payment of social security, and the issues associated with electronic payment cards, including hardship waivers, lack of protection under the Electronic Transfer Act, and garnishment of federal benefits. The panel will also explore legislative remedies to protect low income public benefit recipients.
Slated to speak during the webinar are:
- Kay Kuhlman, Government Accounting Office
- Walt Henderson, U.S. Department of the Treasury
- Suzanne Martindale, Consumers Union
- Lauren Saunders, National Consumer Law Center, and
- Jean Ann Fox, Consumer Federation of America
This webinar will be presented using GoToWebinar. To participate you must have an active internet connection. The system requirements for your computer are:
- PC-based attendees:
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
- Macintosh®-based attendees:
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer