TANF Benefits Move to Oklahoma MasterCard Debit Card

OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Oklahomans receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits through the Oklahoma Department of Human Services will receive their benefit on the state-issued Oklahoma MasterCard Debit Card beginning Monday, April 30, 2007.
OKDHS will convert TANF files from the Access Oklahoma electronic benefits transfer card to the new Oklahoma MasterCard Debit Card beginning Friday evening, April 27, at 6:00. The Access Oklahoma card, which also holds food stamp benefits, will be briefly unavailable early Sunday morning. Retailers accepting the Access Oklahoma card can use a manual voucher system for Oklahomans needing benefits during this time.

“There will be a six- to eight-hour period from Saturday night, April 28. at 10:00 p.m. through 6:00 am Sunday morning, April 29, when access will be restricted to the amount allowed via a manual voucher,” said Lisa Henley, project manager, OKDHS Finance Division. “TANF recipients, however, will not have access to their cash benefits this weekend and have been informed of this information already via informational mailings.”

The new Oklahoma MasterCard Debit Card, which also holds child support payments, offers TANF recipients the convenience and choice to make electronic payments, improved security and the opportunity to participate as a savvy consumer in an increasingly technology-based economy, said Henley.

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