Initial Issuance

Created on: 
Nov 04 2019

Online Processing

See ACES Screens and Online Pages for an example of pages or screens used in this chapter.

What is initial issuance for Basic Food benefits?

Initial issuance of Basic Food is the first benefit amount a client receives after approval. The user has a choice of generating the issuance through the regular daily issuance processed in overnight batch or by immediate issuance.

What is immediate issuance for Basic Food benefits?

Immediate issuance of Basic Food is the same day issuance of benefits to the client, also known as Expedited benefits. Any case marked expedited including reconsidered applications approved between the 30th and 60th day from the date of application have benefits immediately issued. Benefits are issued at the next scheduled daily issuance.  The daily issuance times are 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

For cases finalized after 5:00 p.m., see How do I issue Basic Food benefits by immediate issuance?

Can I issue cash benefits by Immediate issuance?

Cash benefits cannot be issued using immediate issuance and can only be issued in overnight batch.

Online Processing

How do I issue Basic Food benefits by initial issuance?

To issue benefits by initial issuance when finalizing a non-expedited Basic Food AU, take the following steps:

  1. Answer the following questions on the Eligibility page in Finalize. 
  • Do FS Benefits need to be issued immediately?
    • Select the Yes radio button to issue benefits as an immediate issuance at the next scheduled daily issuance (9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. or 5:30 p.m.). For more information on immediate issuance see How do I Issue Basic Food benefits by immediate issuance?
    • Select the No radio button to issue benefits as a regular issuance in overnight batch.
  • Do you want an EBT Card mailed to the HOH?
    • Select the Yes radio button to have Fidelity Information Services (FIS) mail an EBT Card to the client.
    • Select the No radio button and FIS doesn't mail a card to the client. Either the client already has an EBT card or a new card is issued at the local office.

The questions on the Eligibility page in 3G for a Basic Food Assistance Unit (AU) apply specifically to the issuance of Basic Food benefits and issuance of an EBT card.

How do I issue Basic Food benefits by immediate issuance?

All Expedited Basic Food AUs finalized prior to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST) are issued as immediate issuance. AUs finalized after 5 p.m. PST are issued in the overnight batch process.

Once immediate issuance has been submitted, the user is locked out of that AU and any related AU until batch processing has occurred overnight.

  • The lockout is for update mode only.
    • Inquiry is still accessible.
    • This eliminates the possibility of changing case data that would affect benefit eligibility and calculations after they have been determined for issuance.

See ACES Screens and Online Pages for an example of pages or screens used in this chapter.