Instead of getting paper coupons, food stamp recipients now receive their benefits electronically via a plastic card that resembles a credit card. They can use this card at grocery stores and other locations to purchase the same food items that they could purchase with the paper coupons. The food amount is automatically subtracted from their account.
Every receipt shows the balance left in the account.
In addition, if a food stamp recipient is also in the Families First program and receives benefits from Families First, that benefit can be applied to their account on the same card. Each account balance is kept separate, and each receipt shows the balance of the Food Stamp account and the Families First account. The Families First portion of the card allows a benefit recipient to withdraw cash at an ATM or POS machine in the store. Once implemented, the system is very easy to use and much safer than the paper coupons of the past. Also, the benefit is deposited on the day it is supposed to be in the account regardless of holidays, the weather or the mail.