REMINDER!!!

EBT Restrictions Now in Effect, Mandatory Signage Required

ALL Retailers Accepting EBT MUST Post New State Required Signage

A new state law, Chapter 161 of the Acts of 2012, makes it unlawful to use or accept state cash assistance funds held on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards or devices to purchase or sell certain services or products.

ALL businesses accepting EBT must download and post the new state required signage specifying the Department’s fraud hotline and outlining these new restrictions.  Such sign shall be posted in a conspicuous area in any business accepting EBT as a form of payment.  Also, any business accepting EBT shall maintain a list of categories of prohibited products at each cash register.

The required signage is available for download on the DTA website here: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dta/. 

The prohibited services and products are:

• Liquor stores
• Manicure shops or aesthetic shops
• Jewelry stores
• Tattoo parlors
• Casinos, gambling casinos or gaming establishments
• Rent-to-own stores
• Firearm or ammunition dealers
• Adult bookstores, adult paraphernalia stores, or pornographic performance establishments
• Cruise ships

In addition, use of cash assistance funds, including EBT transactions, to purchase any of the following items is prohibited at all establishments.

• Alcoholic Beverages (beer, wine, liquor, etc.)
• Tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, etc.)
• Lottery tickets
• Gambling (slot machines, horse racing, KENO, casino gaming, etc.)
• Firearms and ammunition (guns, bullets, etc.)
• Vacation services (cruise ships, resorts, etc.)
• Tattoos or body piercings
• Jewelry
• Court-ordered fees, fines, bail or bail bonds; or
• Pornographic material or performances (adult entertainment, adult books or paraphernalia, etc.)

Retailers must comply with the laws of the Commonwealth, including this new law. A store owner who knowingly violates this law may be subject to a fine of up to $2500 and, if applicable, disciplinary action in connection with their license to sell alcoholic beverages and/or their license to sell lottery tickets.  For more information, the legislation (Chapter 161 of the Acts of 2012) can be found here: http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2012/Chapter161.

Cash Assistance Programs

For this information in Spanish.