1. (a) Work First payments shall be prorated from the date of application, with the date of the application being day one. Otherwise, payments are made for the full month. Payments, including prorated payments for the month of application or termination, shall not be made for less than twenty five dollars ($25.00). The State Division of Social Services shall issue Work First payments through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). The recipient may select one of the following deposit options:

   1. (1) By direct deposit to a recipient's checking or savings account at the recipient's financial institution; or
   2. (2) By Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.

2. (b) The applicant, recipient or payee shall be informed of the two payment options in this Rule at application and reapplication and provided the following information:

   1. (1) A household that elects to receive Work First payments through an EBT card shall receive an initial EBT card at no cost.

   2. (2) A Work First household that requests a replacement EBT card shall be assessed a two dollar fifty cent ($2.50) fee unless the household can establish that their original EBT card:

      1. (A) was lost in the mail or damaged by the card vendor prior to receipt by the Work First household;
      2. (B) is being replaced due to a name change on card;
      3. (C) was lost due to a natural disaster such as a fire, flood, tornado, earthquake, or hurricane; or
      4. (D) was damaged by a retailer or vendor.
   3. (3) The fee shall be deducted from the account of the Work First household.

3. (c) Recipients and payees of Work First cash assistance shall be informed at application and reapplication they may not access or use EBT cards in the following establishments: liquor stores; casinos or gaming establishments; or any establishment that provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state.

   1. (1) These restrictions apply to all Work First households including households where the adult caretaker is not included in the case but serves as the case payee.
   2. (2) Applicants and recipients shall be advised of the restrictions at initial application, reapplication, and redetermination of eligibility.
   3. (3) Recipients or payees who use or access Work First cash assistance in an EBT transaction in any liquor store; any casino or gaming establishment; or any retail establishment that provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state may be subject to penalties as defined by the State Division of Social Services.

History Note: Authority G.S. 108A-27; 143B‑153; 7 CFR 274.6(b);
Eff. February 1, 1984;
Readopted Eff. October 1, 2021.