Alabama Expands Use of Electronic Cards with ACS

Looking to administer the state’s existing card programs and provide a new system for distributing child support payments, ACS (News - Alert) has signed a five-year, $51 million contract with Alabama.

Accepted at thousands of retailers and ATMs, the card will deliver funds to people faster than paper checks. Card programs are proven to save money over paper checks, which can cost governments an average of $2 per check in printing and mailing costs. Eliminating the need to rely on check-cashing services, the card system also saves citizens time and money, the company stated in a press release.

ACS provides the essential back-office support that clears the way for clients to focus on what they do best.

“We offer government agencies solutions that improve services at a reduced cost,” said Joseph Doherty, executive vice president and chief operating officer, ACS Government Solutions in a company press release. “An innovative EBT solution and use of an electronic payment card program not only helps citizens but state agencies looking to stretch their budget dollars.”

By expanding the number of state programs that use debit cards for delivering payments and benefits, Alabama is saving money and improving service to its citizens. ACS will also support the use of debit cards and electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards for other state programs including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (previously known as the Food Stamp Program), and the Alabama Medicaid Agency’s Non-Emergency Transportation Program.

Recently, the company released a study which discovered alarming results for both men and women, however women, for reasons not yet understood, exhibited a much greater risk of premature death from sedentarism than men. TrekDesk Treadmill Desks offer a solution, designed specifically to allow individuals in sedentary occupations to remain active throughout the day. The study found that women sitting more than six hours per day increased their risk of premature death by 37 percent, and men by 18 percent.

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