DALLAS, April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Affiliated Computer
Services, Inc. (NYSE: ACS) today announced it will provide electronic
benefit transfer services to the California Health and Human Services
Agency under a seven-year, $69 million contract, with an additional three
one-year options available.
Electronic benefit transfer (EBT) allows recipients to receive their
benefits electronically through the use of a debit card. This increases
convenience and security for recipients while reducing costs for taxpayers.
California clients use the Golden State Advantage card to receive benefits
from food stamp and cash benefit programs.
ACS will provide comprehensive EBT services in support of the state,
including transaction processing, data center services, training of state
staff, reconciliation and settlement, and reporting. ACS will also support
California families who receive food stamps and/or cash aid by providing an
automated call center response unit, as well as live customer service
support.
"A hallmark of ACS is our ability to improve access to government
services through technology," said Lynn Blodgett, ACS president and chief
executive officer. "The state's EBT program is one of the largest in the
nation and is critical to the well-being of Californians. We'll apply our
deep expertise and capabilities to enable these individuals and families to
receive the services and benefits they need."
ACS will work closely with the state and the counties to design,
develop, and test the system in time for a 2009 implementation.
"We conducted a tough and competitive procurement. ACS came in prepared
to compete and playing to win, and it showed," said Carlos Ramos, director
of the California Office of Systems Integration. "ACS' proposal will save
taxpayers $21.6 million annually and at the same time improve services to
benefit recipients. Through the new 24/7 web site, benefit recipients will
have greater access to information that's crucial to their daily lives.
This is a step forward in helping fulfill Governor Schwarzenegger's vision
of improving Californians' access to government services."
EBT services assist about 900,000 California households where members
receive benefits from food stamps programs (federal and California Food
Assistance Program) and/or cash benefits programs, such as California Work
Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs), Refugee Cash Assistance,
General Assistance/General Relief, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants,
and Restaurant Meals Program. Recipients may access benefits by using their
Golden State Advantage card at more than 83,000 locations. These include
Food and Nutrition Service-authorized retailers, automated teller machines,
and retailer locations for cash benefits.
ACS serves more than 2 million benefit recipients in 14 states through
EBT contracts. The company currently has more than 2,300 employees in
California who provide services to commercial and government clients. These
include city, county, and state government, as well as businesses in the
transportation, education, and healthcare industries.
ACS, a global FORTUNE 500 company with 62,000 people supporting client
operations reaching more than 100 countries, provides business process
outsourcing and information technology solutions to world-class commercial
and government clients. The company's Class A common stock trades on the
New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ACS." Learn more about ACS on the
Internet at http://www.acs-inc.com.
The statements in this news release that do not directly relate to
historical facts constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements
are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside
the Company's control. As such, no assurance can be given that the actual
events and results will not be materially different than the anticipated
results described in the forward-looking statements. Factors could cause
actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements.
For a description of these factors, see the Company's prior filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent filing.
ACS disclaims any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future event, or
otherwise.
SOURCE Affiliated Computer Services, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.acs-inc.com
CONTACT:
Investor Relations, Jon Puckett, Vice
President, Investor Relations, +1-214-841-8281,
jon.puckett@acs-inc.com, or Media, Andy Wilson, Director,
Corporate Communications, +1-214-841-8004,
andy.wilson@acs-inc.com, both of Affiliated Computer Services,
Inc.
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