Illinois welfare recipients receive 'ATM'-like cards instead of cash, food stamps

Jet, March 24, 1997

Some welfare recipients in Illinois are using electronic cards instead of cash and food stamps.

More than 48,000 Illinois welfare recipients recently began to receive Electronic Benefits Transfer cards to purchase food and access cash benefits, a spokesperson said.

The new system will cut down on paperwork and, hopefully, will eliminate red tape.

To use the cards in place of food stamps at grocery stores, the recipient simply gives the cashier his or her card and enters a private number known as a PIN number. The amount of the purchase is counted against the amount left in the food stamp account. A receipt shows the amount left in the account.

Cardholders will also be able to receive cash benefits at regular ATM machines. They may withdraw their full monthly payments or opt to withdraw several smaller portions.

Recipients were required to attend training before they received their electronic benefit card. The state plans to make the program available statewide by the year's end.