WEST VIRGINIA — A new bill in the West Virginia Senate aims to reduce fraud in the state’s public assistance program by requiring photo identification on Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
Senate Bill 59, introduced by Senator Rupie Phillips of Logan County, is currently under review by the Senate Health and Human Resources Committee.
If passed, the law would require all newly issued EBT cards in West Virginia to include the cardholder’s photograph, starting June 1, 2025.
Applicants seeking benefits would first need to complete a computerized identity verification process.
This would involve answering financial or personal history questions, allowing individuals without traditional banking or credit records to verify their identities.
The bill also directs the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to study the feasibility of implementing photo EBT cards under federal regulations.
The study would examine potential challenges, such as ensuring authorized users can access benefits while maintaining fraud prevention efforts.
