Ohio Direction Card changes to debit system March 27

March 2, 2006 -- Starting March 27, Ohio food stamp customers will get their monthly benefits with an Electronic Balance Transfer (or debit) system.

Click here to see: instructional video

Jim Ashmore, Performance Improvement section chief at Hamilton County Department Job and Family Services, and several staff members are working fast to help recipients understand how the new card will work before the program gets underway.

The biggest change, says Ashmore, is no special lines to check out at the grocery store.

“The old ‘smart card’ chip system meant the person had to go through a specific checkout line,” Ashmore said. “That changes with the new Direction Card. There aren’t any special lines anymore – and that removes big stigma attached to food stamps.”

Another big change, according to Ashmore, is that food stamp recipients won’t need to come to the office every month to re-activate their cards.

“The new system will automatically load the monthly benefit amount each month,” said Ashmore. “That means people don’t have to come downtown each month to have their card recoded. They can just call the Customer Service Center to make sure their benefit amount is added to their card.”

The state is sending the new cards to recipients, along with a booklet explaining how to use it. The booklet explains things like:

• creating a new Personal Identification Number (PIN) to confirm identify
• using the new card at a checkout counter
• contacting Customer Service to get help if something doesn’t work

The new customer service line will be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Some things to know about the new Ohio Direction Card

1. The last day to use the green Ohio Direction Card is March 26, 2006. It will not be good after 11:59 p.m. that night.
2. You will receive your new Ohio Direction Card at the address on file at HCJFS.
3. You can start using the new Ohio Direction Card at 12:01 a.m. on March 27, 2006.
4. Whatever benefit amount was left on the old card will transfer to the new card by Wednesday, March 29.
5. When you get your new card, call customer service (1-866-386-3071) to choose your new 4-digit PIN. You will need your:

1. Card number
2. Social Security Number
3. Birth Date

Remember:

·         Don’t give out your new PIN number to anyone

·         Don’t write your PIN on your card or anything you carry with you.

6. After March 29, you can check your available benefit balance:
   1. By phone. You can call the customer service phone number any time of the day - 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
   2. Online. If you have access to the Internet, go to www.ebt.acs-inc.com
   3. Your store receipt. Each time you make a purchase at the store, your receipt will show the balance before you shopped, the amount of your purchase, and what is left for the rest of the month.