Ohio § 5101.33

§ 5101.33.

(A) As used in this section, “ benefits ” means any of the following: (1) Cash assistance paid under Chapter 5107. of the Revised Code; (2) Supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits provided under section 5101.54 of the Revised Code ; (3) Any other program administered by the department of job and family services or the

department of children and youth under which assistance is provided or service rendered; (4) Any other program, service, or assistance administered by a person or government

entity that the department determines may be delivered through the medium of electronic

benefit transfer. (B) The department of job and family services or department of children and youth may

make any payment or delivery of benefits to eligible individuals through the medium

of electronic benefit transfer by doing all of the following: (1) Contracting with an agent to supply debit cards to the department of job and family

services or the department of children and youth for use by such individuals in accessing

their benefits and to credit such cards electronically with the amounts specified

by the director of job and family services or the director of children and youth

pursuant to law; (2) Informing such individuals about the use of the electronic benefit transfer system

and furnishing them with debit cards and information that will enable them to access

their benefits through the system; (3) Arranging with specific financial institutions or vendors, county departments of

job and family services, or persons or government entities for individuals to have

their cards credited electronically with the proper amounts at their facilities; (4) Periodically preparing vouchers for the payment of such benefits by electronic benefit

transfer; (5) Satisfying any applicable requirements of federal and state law. (C) The department may enter into a written agreement with any person or government entity

to provide benefits administered by that person or entity through the medium of electronic

benefit transfer.  A written agreement may require the person or government entity to pay to the department

either or both of the following: (1) A charge that reimburses the department for all costs the department incurs in having

the benefits administered by the person or entity provided through the electronic

benefit transfer system; (2) A fee for having the benefits provided through the electronic benefit transfer system. (D) The department may designate which counties will participate in the medium of electronic

benefit transfer, specify the date a designated county will begin participation, and

specify which benefits will be provided through the medium of electronic benefit transfer

in a designated county. (E) The department of job and family services or the department of children and youth

may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code for the efficient

administration of this section.