MS 2198 (1)
[Individuals who have been approved for KTAP or Kinship Care may choose to have theirbenefitsdirect deposited into a checking account instead of through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT). Direct Deposit of benefits is optional and is the choice of the individual. Direct deposit is ONLY available if the individual has an active checking account. KTAP and Kinship Care benefits CANNOT be direct deposited into a savings account.
The total amount of themonthly benefits must be deposited into one checking account. The benefits cannot be divided among multiple checking accounts.
If the individual chooses not to have thebenefits direct deposited into a checking account, the benefits are issued to the individual’s EBT card.
KTAP and Kinship Care supplements are issued by direct deposit if the individual’s monthly benefits are issued through direct deposit. If benefits are issued by a special circumstance payment, the benefits are issued by check that is mailed to the individual’s current mailing address.
Direct deposit is NOT an option for KWP supportive services, Relocation Assistance, WIN, or any other non-monthly KTAP payments. These payments are issued via EBT or mailed in the form of a check to the individual’s mailing address.
A. At application and recertification, ask all individuals if they would like their benefits to be issued to an EBT card or direct deposited into a checking account and indicate their preference on the “Preferred Payment Details” screen. Inform the individual that it takes a minimum of two months before their benefits will start being direct deposited into their checking account.
- Select the individual's preferred method of payment as EBT or Direct Deposit.
- If the individual chooses direct deposit, provide form PA-63, Direct Deposit Authorization, for completion. Advise the individual that the form must be completed and signed in order to request that benefits be direct deposited.
- If the individual provides a blank check, write “VOID” across the front of the check and scan the check with the completed and signed form PA-63.
4.If the individual does not have a blank check available, advise him/her to take form PA-63 to the bank for completion.
5.The case will pend for the bank routing number and account number to be entered on the Preferred Payment screen for10 calendar days. At the end of the 10-day period, if the individual has not returned form PA-63, the case will be processed and benefits will be issued to the EBT card.
6.If form PA-63 is received after the 10-day period, change the “Issuance Method” on the Preferred Payment Screen to “Direct Deposit”, andenter the bank routing number, checking accountnumber, and verification.
B.It takes a minimum of two months to affect a change for direct deposit.
Example: An individual requests the benefits be direct deposited and the change is made in the system before cut-off in September. The benefits for October will be issued to the EBT card. The issuance of benefits through direct deposit will not be effective until November. If the change is made after cut-off in September, October and Novemberbenefits will be issued to theEBT card. The direct deposit of benefits will begin in December.
C.If anindividual who is receiving his/her benefits by direct deposit reports that he/she has changed banks or to the checking account information, have him/her complete form PA-63 to change or stop the direct deposit for the prior checking account number and/or previous bank and to add the new checking account number and/or new bank routing number.
D.To stop direct deposit and revert back to issuance by EBT card, have the individual complete form PA-63 to cancel direct deposit of benefits.
E.Advise the individual to report a change in direct deposit information as soon as the change occurs. Explain to the individual that the change will be effective the second monthly issuance following the change if the change is completed prior to cut-off.
F.If the individual wants to return the monthly direct deposit payment for any reason, he/she must provide the local office with a certified check or money order for the entire benefit amount. The certified check or money order is made payable to the Kentucky State Treasurer. Forward the certified check or money order along with a completed Form PAFS-61, Notice of Returned Check and Authorizationfor Disposition, to:
Division of Family Support
Cabinet for Health and Family Services
275 E. Main Street, 3E-I
Frankfort, KY 40621
Annotate on form PAFS-61 that the certified check or money order is for the return of a direct deposit.
G.KTAP/Kinship Care benefits are issued to the EBT card for the first and possibly second month after the bank information is entered on Worker Portal.
- For the first month, a test deposit is made using the routing number. If the number is rejected, the Family Self-Sufficiency Branch (FSSB) notifies the local office of the rejection.
- The worker must correct the information entered on Worker Portal before cut-off in order for the direct deposit to be successful for the next month. The worker may need to contact the individual to ensure the account has not been closed or changed. If the bank information is not entered by cut-off, benefits for the next month will be issued via EBT.
Example:If the checking account information is entered on Worker Portal prior to cut-off in August, the September benefits will be issued via EBT. If the test deposit made in September is successful, the October benefits will be direct deposited. If the checking account information is entered on Worker Portal after cut-off in August, the September and October benefits will be issued to the EBT card. The test deposit is run in October and if successful, the November benefits will be direct deposited.
3.Central Office issues a paper check for any month when a direct deposit of benefits is rejected by the bank. The paper check is sent to the local office for the individual to pick up. A correspondence is sent to the individual to inform him/her when the check is available for pick-up.]