"Client" means any person who has made an
application for or is receiving state or federal public assistance from DHS or
any other state or federal agency.
"Collateral contact" means a reliable source
other than the client who is knowledgeable about information relative to
pertinent public assistance case factors.
"Department" means the department of
inspections and appeals.
"DHS" means the department of human
services.
"Division" means the investigations division
of the department.
"EBT" or "electronic benefit
transfer" means the electronic process that allows a client to
authorize transfer of the client's benefits from a financial account to a
retailer to pay for eligible items received. Clients are issued an EBT card
similar to a bank ATM or debit card to receive and use their supplemental
nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits.
"EBT trafficking or misuse" means the use of
SNAP benefits for something other than their intended use.
"EFCB" or "bureau" means
the economic fraud control bureau.
"Intentional program violation" or
"IPV" means having intentionally made a false or misleading
statement; or misrepresented, concealed, or withheld facts; or committed an act
that is a violation of the Food Stamp Act, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance
Program regulations, or any state rule relating to the use, presentation,
transfer, acquisition, receipt or possession of a benefit transfer
instrument.
"Pertinent public assistance case factors"
means information considered necessary to verify household composition, income,
resources or any other potential program violation.
"Program violation" means action that is
contrary to the rules of eligibility for any state or federal public assistance
program.
"Public assistance" means child care
assistance, family investment program, SNAP, medical assistance, state
supplementary assistance, refugee cash assistance, or any other state or
federal assistance program.
"Referral" means a request to investigate
pertinent public assistance case factors for potential program violations and
eligibility issues.
"Referring agency" means DHS or any other
state or federal agency.
