DPSS_2022-23_Annual-Report-DPSS_INTERACTIVE_vF1

R I VERS I DE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLI C SOC I AL SERV I CES

Internal Teams Collaborate on EBT Customer Service Solutions

When a spike in skimmed and scammed electronic benefit transfer claims (EBT) began in mid-June, teams from the Finance and Forecasting Division and Program Technology unit collaborated to improve the process of replacing customers’ stolen benefits. The teams wanted to counter the exponential increase in criminal activity that resulted in 5,744 claims from victims of theft totaling $3.626 million during FY 22/23. These funds were essential for low- income households to put food on their tables. By working with Systems Accounting, the teams developed a new application in Access. The application was used to effectively manage the spike in demand during the initial impacts of widespread EBT skimming and scamming. Their tool bridged the gap until more robust tools could be implemented. Importantly, the application strengthened coordination between staff to help clients get their stolen benefits replaced accurately and timely.

Criminal activity resulted in

5,744 claims from victims of theft totaling

$3.626 million during FY 22/23.

Annual Report 2022/2023

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