7 day forecast
EBT cards for food stamps to be unavailable for 13 hours
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The statewide system that processes the card used for food stamps and other benefits will be down from 11 tonight until noon Sunday.
Card holders will not be able to use their cards during that time period or access account information.
Signs have gone up in some local stores advising customers of the pending outage.
The state Department of Public Welfare said it was necessary to take the system offline for 13 hours in order to change card vendors.
Affected are Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card users.
Other benefits on the card are Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Medical Assistance.
The vendor change will not affect benefits, the welfare department said in a news release.
Clients will be able to continue using their card in the same stores and at the same automated teller machines if eligible.
Beginning Sunday at noon on March 24, cardholders will be able to go to www.ebt.acs-inc.com to access benefit information.
By switching vendors, clients will be able to receive their benefits sooner, order replacement cards any time, and more easily replace their personal identification number (PIN), the welfare department said.
For more information, visit www.dpw.state.pa.us or call (800) 692-7462.
First Published March 23, 2013 12:03 am
