A. The Department of Human Services shall develop an electronic benefits identification program to expediently and accurately determine the eligibility of and the extent or limit of benefits of clients, and to serve providers and other persons providing consumer-related goods to recipients of food stamps and other assistance programs. B.
1. The electronic benefits identification program for recipients of food stamps and other assistance may be implemented on a staggered basis.
2. To provide for the implementation of the electronic benefits identification program, and as determined necessary by the Department for such implementation in compliance with federal law, the time of issuance of benefits for recipients of food stamps and other assistance programs may be modified or adjusted to provide for issuance of benefits on a staggered basis, provided recipients shall be notified, in writing, at least three (3) months prior to any modification or adjustment of the time of issuance of benefits. C. The electronic benefits identification program shall be implemented upon the awarding of a contract to a vendor selected by competitive bid to do business with the State of Oklahoma.