subject: State of California issued an Executive Order [print this page] The State of California issued an Executive Order in June 2010 requiring the Department of Social Services (DSS) to ensure California EBT cards cannot access cash benefits from ATMs in gambling establishments.EBT Cards are also known as Electronic Benefits Transfer cards and are used by various statesas a way to electonically distribute funds towelfare recipients. The California DSS has not yet provided specific guidelines to fulfill the Executive Order. Sightline Payments blocks access toATM transactions for EBTcards not only in the State of California but all other states, which is one more example of how they are on your side.
In response to the Times story, state officials acknowledged that welfare recipients withdrew $1.8 million from casino floors using state-issued EBT cards between just October 2009 and May 2010. In another part of the investigation, cash meant to feed and clothe children was withdrawn at clubs across California. Although this documented amount is a small fraction of the state's multi-billion dollar welfare program, the total cost of this abuse of welfare funds is unknown: It's likely that the cash benefit program has been abused since its inception in 2002, not just in the past eight months.
Governor Schwarzenegger acted quickly to prevent the continued abuse of EBT cash benefits, issuing an executive order banning the use of state-provided EBT cards in ATMs at gambling establishments.
Republicans legislators are seeking a more aggressive response to the issue, such as bans on EBT withdrawals in liquor stores and bars and recovering money from those individuals who withdrew cash at casinos.
