MANUAL VOUCHER PROCESSING PROCEDURES

MANUAL VOUCHER PROCESSING PROCEDURES

Processing a Manual Voucher Transaction for Food Stamp purchases when the EBT system or equipment is not working.

What You Will Need

An original manual voucher form provided by JPMorgan EFS. The vouchers are provided to you when the equipment is first installed or delivered. If you run out, call the Retailer General Helpdesk at 800-350-8533 to have additional vouchers mailed to you free of charge.
The Manual Authorization telephone number.
Your store’s 7-digit Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) authorization number.
The customer’s EBT card number.
The exact dollar amount of the transaction.

Completing a Manual Voucher

Step 1: Calculate the amount of the sale and ask the customer to present his/her EBT card.

Step 2: Complete all sections of the manual voucher except for the

voucher approval number, the amount, and the

signatures.

Step 3: Call the Manual Authorization telephone number and follow the prompts on the ARU to obtain a voucher approval number. A voucher cannot be processed without an approval number. You may use a cellular phone to place the call if regular phones are not available. If the purchase is denied because there are insufficient funds in the customer’s account, request assistance from a customer service representative.

Step 4: Write the voucher approval number on the voucher and fill-in the exact authorized purchase amount.

Step 5: Have the customer sign the voucher on the indicated line.

Step 6: Sign the voucher or have the front-end supervisor sign the

voucher on the indicated line.

Step 7: Ensure that all the blanks are filled-in on the voucher.

Step 8: Keep the original voucher and give the copy to the customer.

Step 9: Once the EBT system is working again, process the voucher by performing a “Voucher Clear” transaction on the POS device within 15 calendar days. If you do not clear the voucher within 15 calendar days, the approval number will expire and you will not get paid for the transaction.

Clearing a Voucher when the EBT System is Working Again

This transaction will initiate payment to your bank account.

For exact procedures regarding the Voucher Clear transaction, please refer to your EBT manual provided with the equipment. If you have lost or misplaced your manual, please contact the Retailer General Helpdesk at 800-350-8533 to obtain a new manual.

If you use credit/debit equipment to process EBT and need assistance with performing the Voucher Clear transaction, please contact your processor.

As part of the Voucher Clear transaction, you will need to enter the following information from the voucher:

· Customer’s Card Number

· Voucher Number

· Approval Number

· Purchase Amount

Once the voucher is cleared, the terminal will print a receipt containing the result of the voucher settlement transaction. Please retain this receipt for your records.

Declared Emergency Authorization

The only time a retailer is reimbursed for a manual voucher transaction without a voucher approval number is in the event of a Declared Emergency. A message will be placed on the ARU to inform you of the emergency and the amount per sale that can be approved using a manual voucher in this situation.

For additional information regarding your state, documents available for download, or EBT-related phone numbers, please visit our website at:

http://www.ebtretailerinfo.jpmorgan.com