SECTION 372.1501. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Cash-back--The disbursement of funds from a TANF account transacted through a point-of-sale (POS) terminal.

(2) Client--A person authorized to receive benefits and perform transactions.

(3) Day--A calendar day unless otherwise specified.

(4) Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT)--An electronic system that allows public assistance benefits to be issued to a client via an EBT card. The client authorizes transfer of benefits from the client's account to a retailer account to receive cash or pay for products.

(5) EBT card--A debit card used to access SNAP and TANF benefits for the purchase of food or allowable items, or to obtain cash.

(6) EBT contractor--A vendor that contracts with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to provide EBT services in Texas.

(7) EBT program transactions--Benefit or account transactions involving:

(A) authorization;

(B) issuance;

(C) redemption;

(D) accounting;

(E) settlement;

(F) reconciliation; or

(G) inquiry.

(8) EBT system--An electronic payments system that uses electronic funds transfer, automated teller machines, and point-of-sale technology for the delivery of public assistance benefits. The major components of the Texas EBT system are call center, retailer management, application software, and central processing.

(9) Personal identification number (PIN)--A four-digit alphanumeric code selected by or assigned to a client. The PIN is used to verify the identity of a cardholder when performing an online EBT program transaction at an automated teller machine or point-of-sale terminal.

(10) Point-of-sale (POS) terminal--A range of electronic devices deployed at retailer locations and used to initiate the electronic debit of client accounts and credit retailer accounts as a purchase is made, or to initiate the electronic credit to the client account and debit to the retailer account for a return.

(11) Retailer--A merchant authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service to accept SNAP benefits, or that chooses to accept TANF cash for purchases or chooses to provide TANF cash.

Source Note: The provisions of this §372.1501 adopted to be effective September 1, 2009, 34 TexReg 5361