I Can't Believe it.

[OntheRail]

But then again... only in America (http://www.aol.com/video/clerk-fired-for-not-allowing-man-to-buy-cigarettes-with-food-stamps/517407040/?icid=maing-grid7|netscape|dl3|sec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D174234)

Why do I work for a living. I'd get pissed when I'd see them at the gas station buying pop and candy but I never in my wildest imagination thought they could buy beer and smokes on a welfare card. I guess that explained the move by Walmart to add beer and wine to the store. :bang:

[Tom]

You would deprive these poor people?
You would only waste that money on food and rent.

[ArlJim78]

we're in a new era now that's for sure. up is down, right is wrong, etc.

bet you didn't think you'd see the day when the government ran ad campaigns promoting food stamps. they even tell you how you can approach other people, host parties, etc., all with the aim to make food stamps the norm, to make it fun. hey let's all get involved, this is great!

[Wagergirl]

we're in a new era now that's for sure. up is down, right is wrong, etc.

bet you didn't think you'd see the day when the government ran ad campaigns promoting food stamps. they even tell you how you can approach other people, host parties, etc., all with the aim to make food stamps the norm, to make it fun. hey let's all get involved, this is great!

I must have missed those ads.. Guess it's a good thing I don't watch tv ...

[ArlJim78]

I think the ads run primarily on the radio.

AtXW3S01IIo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AtXW3S01IIo

[acorn54]

there is some fraud, just like in anything else.
but people need to eat, so if they are in need with food assistance, so be it.

[Striker]

I've seen people here in Illinois that have the cash put on their cards give them to the cashier at a gas station, receive cash back, and go right for the scratch off lottery ticket machine.

[mostpost]

But then again... only in America (http://www.aol.com/video/clerk-fired-for-not-allowing-man-to-buy-cigarettes-with-food-stamps/517407040/?icid=maing-grid7|netscape|dl3|sec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D174234)

Why do I work for a living. I'd get pissed when I'd see them at the gas station buying pop and candy but I never in my wildest imagination thought they could buy beer and smokes on a welfare card. I guess that explained the move by Walmart to add beer and wine to the store. :bang:

I do not think that food stamps should be used to buy cigarettes or alcohol. And I think that should be prohibited by law. But it isn't so the woman was wrong to not sell to the man with the EBT card. However, if we are getting the whole story, she should not have been fired.

[Wagergirl]

What makes me angry is when people really the help and would use the money/food stamps for what it was intended, but can't because they make more then what is allowed.

I don't know about other states, but they count your gross income. You don't bring home your gross amount, you aren't using that to pay your house payment or your electric. You can't use that money for food. After Federal taxes, state taxes, city taxes, insurance, and child support my husband's take home is less than 65% of the gross. If He quit, he could bring home more by applying for welfare and bring in cash, food stamps, and having the kids covered by state insurance (and would not be garnished for child support for a 19 year old who doesn't go to school... but that is a whole different thread)
The world should not work that way.

[Wagergirl]

I do not think that food stamps should be used to buy cigarettes or alcohol. And I think that should be prohibited by law. But it isn't so the woman was wrong to not sell to the man with the EBT card. However, if we are getting the whole story, she should not have been fired.

I would wager it was not the "food stamps" portion of the EBT card that they were using to buy cigarettes/alcohol, but the "cash" portion. I don't think the woman should have been fired. I know in Washington it states in the "rules" around using the EBT card that you can't use it for those items. However, it doesn't stop people from taking cash off the card and spending it however they choose. Which I do not think they should be able to do.

Back in the old days when food stamps were actual paper. I remember people going to the store to buy dime candy with a dollar stamp to get the change to build up their cash. that's why it went to the card. I am sure that they can stop it so that you can't take the money off as cash, and make it so that it can only be used to pay rent, and utilities. It would take some changes on the rentor's part to be able to accept a card instead of a money order. But I think it would be in the best interest of all involved.

[Tom]

there is some fraud, just like in anything else.
but people need to eat, so if they are in need with food assistance, so be it.

Novel idea here, a bit outside the box, but how about they EARN IT?????

[Bettowin]

If the card is used and scanned through a register wouldn't they be able to track exactly what was bought and how much was paid back in cash? Seems simple if the purchases were monitored and action taken.

[Wagergirl]

but if they went to the ATM and took cash out, how would they monitor what was spent? right now the card can't be used to pay rent or utilites/it doesn't have a visa or MC logo. so they have to pull cash out to pay those things. but who is to say that they are really using the cash to pay those things.

[Bettowin]

but if they went to the ATM and took cash out, how would they monitor what was spent? right now the card can't be used to pay rent or utilites/it doesn't have a visa or MC logo. so they have to pull cash out to pay those things. but who is to say that they are really using the cash to pay those things.

Don't allow cash withdrawals. The card should accepted just like a MC or Visa. Wouldn't a government logo mean more than a credit card company? Hmmmmmmm maybe not:)

[Wagergirl]

Don't allow cash withdrawals. The card should accepted just like a MC or Visa. Wouldn't a government logo mean more than a credit card company? Hmmmmmmm maybe not:)

LOL yeah maybe not. ;) but I agree. They should stop the cash withdrawls and should only be allowed to use the cash for certain products. If they can block me from using my FSA card for things that aren't on the "list" you think they could do that with an EBT card.

[Tom]

They can get CASH????

This is absurd.

First of all, every penny they get from this program should re-paid in full plus interest. No free rides.

Secondly, what can be purchased must be narrowly defined and monitored and controlled as only life-necessary items and in the minimum quantities and at the lowest available prices.

And we taxpayers should get a list of everyone getting our money so we can monitor our own towns for abusers.

Oh, and fingerprints and DNA samples - 100% mandatory.

[Striker]

The Link cards in Illinois(with or without cash on them) are being sold for cash. It has gotten so bad here that the politicians are debating whether to put a photo on the back of cards of the person issued the link card. But that of course would cost money to implement. IMO alot of these people on food stamps do actually work, but they do it for cash, and then can also claim food stamps as they say they have no documented income.

[boxcar]

I must have missed those ads.. Guess it's a good thing I don't watch tv ...

You need to get out more, girl. I don't watch the one-eyed monster, but I do listen to radio and hear plenty of ads.

Boxcar

[Wagergirl]

You need to get out more, girl. I don't watch the one-eyed monster, but I do listen to radio and hear plenty of ads.

Boxcar

I know, I don't listen to the radio much either. I do most of my viewing/listening via the internet where I can weed out most of the commercials. Commercials drive me crazy. (short trip I am told :D )

[acorn54]

nowadays i try to expose myself as little as possible to the media
as they say "no news is good news".

[whiptastic]

nowadays i try to expose myself as little as possible to the media as they say "no news is good news".

I read that as: "yeah, they took out a restraining order." :lol:

[PhantomOnTour]

Racetracks of America...seize the moment !
Maybe they can use those cards to bet on horses.
Y'all, just imagine the influx of dumb money.

Oh to dream....

[Robert Goren]

Racetracks of America...seize the moment !
Maybe they can use those cards to bet on horses.
Y'all, just imagine the influx of dumb money.

Oh to dream....Are you all that sure that money from them is not being used to bet the horses or play pickle cards or slots or lotteries? If do. then you pretty naive.

[Wagergirl]

Are you all that sure that money from them is not being used to bet the horses or play pickle cards or slots or lotteries? If do. then you pretty naive.

anh, they are too busy buying booze.:lol: (Pickle cards??? that must be a regional thing, huh?)

[ElKabong]

we're in a new era now that's for sure. up is down, right is wrong, etc.

bet you didn't think you'd see the day when the government ran ad campaigns promoting food stamps. they even tell you how you can approach other people, host parties, etc., all with the aim to make food stamps the norm, to make it fun. hey let's all get involved, this is great!

I've heard these commercials on local radio.....The commentator makes it sound cool to use the SNAP program....kid makes the dinner, sets the table, calls mom to the table. As corny today as the 1950s short flicks are. Who knew democrat tax-machine proponents weren't cool?....

[ElKabong]

They can get CASH????

This is absurd.

And we taxpayers should get a list of everyone getting our money so we can monitor our own towns for abusers.

Oh, and fingerprints and DNA samples - 100% mandatory.

Completely agree. Put all SNAP recipients on a gov't website, with their addresses listed. It's already being done with sex offenders. It can be done for habitual leeches as well. I'd like to see how many people in my zip code are stealing from me & particularly how long they've been doing so

[ArlJim78]

the USDA even provides helpful pamphlets (http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/outreach/toolkits/2011/resources/SNAP_SpecPop_ReachingSeniors.pdf?tw_p=twt) full of ideas on how to spread the word about SNAP to seniors.

for example


Throw a Great Party. Host social events where people mix and mingle. Make it fun by having activities, games, food, and entertainment, and provide information about SNAP. Putting SNAP information in a game format like BINGO, crossword puzzles, or even a "true/false" quiz is fun and helps get your message across in a memorable way.


I mean who can resist a party that has SNAP themed bingo games?

[Rookies]

Novel idea here, a bit outside the box, but how about they EARN IT?????

No such thing in the Socialist Great White North, Tommy! We don't got, never had, no stinkin' Food Stamps! We decided socialist medical care was good enough! ;)

[Robert Fischer]

deja vu

[Tom]

No such thing in the Socialist Great White North, Tommy! We don't got, never had, no stinkin' Food Stamps! We decided socialist medical care was good enough! ;)

Your guys deserve respect as a nation. If I could sell my house, I would strongly consider moving up there, near Woodbine, of course. I already live in C, eh, N, eh, D, eh, :D small move. At least up there, I don't have to feed the leeches. And no doubt, your HC will dwarf ours within the next few years.
We just adopted a motor vehicle style medical system.

[ArlJim78]

the USDA outreach (http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/outreach/coalition/hunger-champions_11.pdf)targets people who out of pride or a desire not to rely on others have yet to apply for benefits.
__________________________________________________ ________

Ashe County Department of Social Services (DSS), Jefferson, NC

To increase SNAP participation, Ashe County DSS, in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina hired an experienced eligibility worker with knowledge of the county to visit partner agencies in rural areas to pre-screen households and help them complete applications. Hearing from the outreach worker that benefits could be used to purchase seeds and plants for their gardens turned out to be a very important strategy in counteracting what they described as "mountain pride" and appealed to those who wished not to rely on others. Eventually, many accepted assistance from the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program, and others, in some cases doubling a household’s net income. In 1 year, SNAP participation increased over 10 percent. Over 50 percent of the completed applications contained a household member who is elderly. Ashe County DSS officials, recognizing the positive impact and increased effectiveness of having an outreach worker dedicated to rural areas of the county, decided to fund this position and continue the outreach collaboration after the food bank grant funding expires
__________________________________________________ _
their mission is clear, even if you have pride and don't want help from others, they want to break you down so that you drop your pride and get on the bandwagon. for them this is a big success, the more they can sign up the better. to hell with pride and self reliance, let uncle sammy and his bottomless bag of cash help you out..