A new food stamp issuance program received positive response Wednesday at a meeting of the Senate Committee on Youth and Human Services.
Human Services Commissioner Sedonie Halbert explained the Electronic Benefit Transfer System (EBT), which eliminates long lines at food stamp offices through a system similar to a debit card account.
Senate President Vargrave Richards, a committee member, questioned Halbert on EBT's effect on the long lines at the Fredricksted Food Stamp Office. This has been a chronic problem, in one instance recently requiring police intervention. There have also been long lines and many complaints at the St. Thomas Food Stamp Office, especially after the recent storms. Halbert said the system would eliminate the need for lines.
Committee Chair Sen. Judy Gomez was enthusiastic about what she called the "high level of excellence in the Human Services Department." In addition to explaining EBT, Halbert, assisted by Ermin Boschulte and Coleen Evans, both of Human Services, told the committee of some major provisions under the Welfare Reform Act. In particular, she highlighted the stricter penalties for violating food stamp requirements.
Halbert noted that all states and territories must implement the EBT system before Oct. 1, 2002, unless the requirements are waived because of unusual implementation barriers.