The provision of government entitlement programs to those individuals who are entitled to receive such entitlements or benefits through the use of magnetically striped or other cards capable of storing information regarding cardholders and capable of accessing ATM and POS Terminals to receive distribution of such entitlements or benefits.

A type of EFT (see below) system involving the transfer of public entitlement payments, such as welfare or food stamps, via direct deposit or point-of-sale technology (see POS). The recipient can be given an identification card, similar to a benefit card, and a PIN number to allow them to access the benefits through an electronic network.

A system utilizing a debit card for food stamp recipients to use to purchase products in a retail supermarket.