It's a program that offers direct cash payments (via an EBT card) to beneficiaries.
As you might expect, this program is very abused and defrauded.
If you aren't pissed off enough yet, go check out the FI program, another direct cash payment to beneficiaries. Note that this is a state program financed by the Feds. That link is for South Carolina, but most states are the same. Another program that is stuffed full of fraud.
Hasn't welfare always offered direct cash payments to recipients? What else would it be?