TO:	Commissioners; TA and FS Directors; WMS/EBT Coordinators  

FROM:	Russell Sykes, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Temporary Assistance

SUBJECT:	 Erroneous PIN Mailer Follow-Up

EFFECTIVE DATE: Draft	

CONTACT PERSON: FS questions – Eastern Regional Team at 1-800-343-8859, ext. 3-1469;  TA/EBT Policy questions – Jim Karins at ext. 4-9348; EBT Project Office – Al Rios at ext. 3-9696.

This message is a follow-up to GIS 04 TA/DC027, issued on October 28, 2004, in which we advised local districts as to the recent distribution of erroneous PIN mailers.

We wish to advise local districts that, as of November 9, 2004, the problem has been corrected and no new incorrect PINs have been issued since that time. We identified approximately 5,800 recipients who were still in receipt of an invalid PIN as a result of this problem, and these individuals were mailed new PINs on December 15, 2004 with a brief explanation as to why they were receiving a new PIN mailer. 

We apologize for any confusion and inconvenience this situation may have caused for local districts, as well as for our program recipients. We ask that in the short term, if local districts become aware of recipient complaints regarding receipt of non-working PINs, particularly if the PIN number contains one or more alphabetical characters, that you compile such information (with case specifics) and advise us accordingly. To report these problems you may contact Jim Karins, TA EBT Section, at the number listed above, or e-mail through Outlook or to jim.karins@dfa.state.ny.us.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.