CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A new bill introduced in the West Virginia Senate aims to place photographs of users on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards in an effort to prevent fraud.
Senate Bill 59, sponsored by Senator Rupie Phillips (R-Logan), is currently under review by the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee.
If passed, the bill would require all EBT cards issued in West Virginia to include a photo of the cardholder starting June 1, 2025.
Before receiving public assistance, applicants would need to complete a computerized identity authentication process.
This process would include a knowledge-based questionnaire with financial or personal questions designed to accommodate individuals without traditional banking access or credit history.
Additionally, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources would be required to study the feasibility of implementing photo EBT cards under federal guidelines.
The study would also address potential concerns, such as ensuring that recipients could designate authorized users for their cards.
