Louisiana taps ACS for benefits transfer services

The Louisiana Department of Social Services has hired Affiliated Computer Services to provide electronic benefit transfer services to residents enrolled in states benefits.

Under the terms of the six-year contract, ACS will administer transaction authorization processing, card management and helpdesk services for Louisiana’s Food Stamps program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

“Our work in Louisiana is an example of the wide range of effective services that ACS offers to government agencies,” Joseph Doherty, executive vice president and group president of ACS Government Solutions Group, said in a statement.

Louisiana’s Social Services department has a history working with ACS. ACS supports the state’s child support payments system; operates the Louisiana Customer Service Center, a statewide call center for programs under the Office of Family Support; and the company also supports the Disaster Food Stamp program by providing a customer service center to respond to questions in times of natural or man-made disasters. The state joins sixteen other states and the federal government in partnering with ACS to deliver EBT services.

“We are confident that Louisiana will benefit from our partnership and the innovative EBT solution that supports millions of cardholders nationwide,” Doherty said. The “Louisiana Purchase Card” can be used at retailers and ATMs authorized by the USDA.

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