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EBT's Top 10 Policy Issues
- Costs
Implementing a state or area-wide EBT system is similar to creating a new public infrastructure. Point of sale devices, cards, program information, database programs and digital networks must be established in order to ensure operability. The magnitude of the start-up costs, depending on the type of platform adopted, could be daunting for cash-strapped public agencies.
- Platforms
Platforms are the systems upon which EBT functions. There are a number of platforms -- ranging from magnetic stripe cards to biometrics to bar code cards to smart cards -- available for EBT use. Each platform comes with its own advantages and disadvantages with respect to usability, widespread operability, costs, and longevity. Identifying the ideal platform in terms of costs and benefits is a crucial concern for policymakers addressing EBT implementation.
- Program interoperability
A key feature of EBT is that a single system may be used to deliver multiple services. For instance, a card could provide food stamp benefits in addition to those for Medicaid and child care. This requires extensive cooperation and coordination among public service agencies.
- Efficiency measurement
Measuring program efficiency and effectiveness is a critical component of public service delivery. It allows the identification of program strengths and weaknesses for program managers, while providing a useful gauge for evaluating how taxpayers' dollars are being spent. The novelty of EBT raises the question of how its efficiency can be measured.
- Privacy
EBT systems enable state agencies to monitor clients and their behavior and store their personal information in large databases that might be accessible by unauthorized third parties. In the absence of any privacy-protection legislation in the United States, the question remains as to whether a client has any legal recourse in the event of an unwarranted "leak" of private information.
- Use of "biometrics"
All EBT systems rely upon a form of personal identification in order to identify and provide services to qualified clients. The personal identification number, or PIN, is perhaps the most well-known and commonly-used form of identification. Biometrics measurement, or the measurement of an individual's physical features in order to verify his or her identity, is a highly effective form of identification. It is also controversial, for instance in the use of "finger imaging" -- scanning an individual's fingerprints may convey the suggestion of a suspicion of criminal behavior.
- Infrastructure accessibility
An EBT system requires an infrastructure of digital databases and networks in order to work. In other words, the access points for the clients' benefits must be "wired" before every client can receive their benefits. Some programs with mobile facilities and other non-fixed sites may not be wired. And although most geographic areas have the technological infrastructure in place, some rural areas may not. This could be problematic if a considerable portion of clients are served by the remote program offices or live in areas that are not yet online.
- Public training and education
The clients must know how to use an EBT program in order for it to work. EBT technology may intimidate clients. Furthermore, there may be a substantial number of clients who, having had little, if any, technological experience, may not know what to do when given an EBT card. An uninformed and intimidated client-base may threaten the viability of a program.
- Identifying Points of Sale
Not all potential point-of-sale providers (banks, grocery stores, etc.) are eager to join the EBT bandwagon. Some object to participation in an EBT program requiring platforms different from their existing infrastructure, which could increase their operating costs.
- Security
EBT systems are subject to fraudulent use. Although a principal feature of EBT is that it is able to reduce fraud when compared to conventional forms of service delivery, the potential exists for technologically-savvy clients to commit fraud.
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