DHSS Press Release

DELAWARE BEGINS REPLACING TRADITIONAL FOOD STAMPS WITH ELECTRONIC "FOOD FIRST" CARD

Improvement will make access easier, reduce fraud

Delaware Health and Social Services (DHSS) began phasing out traditional food stamps and replacing them with electronic cards this month, as part of its ongoing effort to improve access to the food stamp program.

The new electronic food stamp program, called Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT), will be statewide by the end of the year. Approximately 4,500 Sussex County households began using EBT this month. Kent County households will make the switch in August, and New Castle County households in September.

In switching to EBT, or "Food First" cards, Delaware is joining a federally mandated effort in which traditional food stamp coupons are being replaced by a magnetic stripe card, similar to a debit card. Individuals access food stamp benefits through retailers - mainly grocery stores - authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to accept food stamps.

With the Food First card, food stamp benefits are transferred electronically to the card each month. This eliminates the need for clients to pick up coupons at food stamp issuance sites or to have them mailed. EBT eliminates the potential for coupons to be lost or stolen in the mail. It also allows the state to more effectively monitor transactions to prevent fraud.

"EBT is another step in our continuing work to provide excellent customer service," DHSS Secretary Vincent P. Meconi said. "It's more convenient for families and removes the stigma often associated with the use of food stamp coupons. It helps retailers because it eliminates the added accounting associated with managing food stamp coupons. And, since the EBT system tracks every transaction, it will provide us with a powerful tool to investigate food stamp trafficking."

The food stamp program serves more than 47,000 low-income Delawareans statewide.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.