Posted on 06/27/2012 6:12:04 AM PDT by smokingfrog
The a-holes who came up with the EBT claimed it would remove the stigma of using food stamps.
There should be shame for being a parasite.
The ‘Free State’ strikes again...any conservative that is in a position to flee the New England ‘police state’ should do so...while they still can. It’s only going to get worse...
There are ways around it. Almost all large grocery stores rely on the bar code on every package. This tells the register (really a computer) what the item is. Then the computer can tally the total food items and non food items. The user swipes their EBT card selects the “food stamps/food” button on the pin pad, the computer deducts the amount from the total that the EBT card is qualified to pay for and the customer is left with the cash total (that the cash portion of the EBT card can also pay).
Now.. the small mom and pop gas station/convenience store. Many of these establishments rely on a simple cash register and CC terminal. It’s up to the cashier to know what can, or can not be paid for with EBT. Since the EBT card is swiped through a second terminal it does NOT know what is being paid for and thus, until audited, the store could sell anything, smokes, gas, propane and bill it to a EBT card using the food benefits. There are stories of smaller shops getting busted for food stamp fraud all the time.
There is also the very possible chance this “customer” was attempting to pay for his smokes with the cash benefits many get. Since they are linked to the same card the only way to know if they get cash benefits is to run the card as a EBT/Cash transaction. As wrong as it may sound, the “cash” benefit is just that. Cash. It can be spent on anything or even withdrawn from a ATM in cash.
(Yes I know a bit about this. No I do not have a EBT card. But I do install/repair/maintain Point Of Sale equipment in grocery stores and a rather large “mart” that sees a a lot of EBT cards)
thanks for posting
Howie Carr list ping
“that product isn’t eligible for purchase on an EBT card.”
But it is. If the card holder also gets a “cash” benefit the card CAN be used to pay for smokes.
Sad.. but true.
Someone needs to make an Indiegogo account for this little old lady since she lost her job. I bet a lot of people would donate what a pack a cigarettes cost. I don’t fault the store for letting her go, but I applaud her spirit in speaking out while so many don’t.
In most (if not all) states one card can access both accounts. It’s like the debit or credit question on the pin pad. It just says cash or food stamps.
Funny you mention that about prepared foods. I’ve noticed that the prepared food sections of our local supermarkets are now taking up much more of the store than in the past. I believe that as long as the food is not prepared to be eaten on premise, that counts for EBT usage. Of course, we don’t use that avenue much as we watch our food budget but then again, we don’t get the government freebees either.
I was going to say the same thing. The EBT card can contain two accounts. One for food stamps, the other for cash assistance(TANF). It may appear that a person is using food stamps for beer or smokes, but they are using their cash account. Not saying its right, but they can spend the cash on whatever they wish. We need another welfare reform when there is a conservative president and a majority. Limit TANF to 2 yrs, not 4. And place a time limit on food stamps.
In 1997 I watched our Supply folks on a Cruiser in Mayport carrying up meat stamped ‘Not For Human Consumption - USDA’. Nothing but the best for our troops.
A tv station here in Indy got a computer file on where all ATM withdrawals were made with Indiana TANF cards.
Hawaii, Calif, Vegas, Puerto Rico, Nevada brothels, casinos across the country, etc.
Definitely could be good campaign material if used correctly.
Crab legs are far healthier for you.
I worked in grocery for 4 years and people who aren’t on the front lines of this abuse of the system have no real idea all that goes on. This is commonplace.
I live in IL, one of the largest welfare states. We believed this to be illegal as well but getting a straight answer was very difficult. I tried calling the welfare office and you get put on a loop. I tried looking online, it’s not there either. It took one of our employees actually going to the welfare office to ask. Turns out they can buy “whatever they need”. This is what our employee was told. So evidently, cigarettes are now considered a “need”.
I actually ended up quitting because I found myself becoming so discouraged and even angry at the abuse I witnessed daily. But here’s a few things I want people to know that happens:
1. Each month recipients are issued a “food” balance AND ready for it... a CASH balance. Yes, that’s right CASH. No way to regulate how that is spent.
2. Balances carry over from month to month so if they don’t use it all that month it accumulates. I’ve seen balances at the END of a month at nearly $2 grand. Yeah, at the END of the month. So, if they are not using that much of what they get then they’re receiving more than they need in the first place. It’s not a savings account!
3. Recipients simply withdraw the cash off their cards, using it as an ATM card and by law we have to let them, then purchase their cigarettes, alcohol on a regular basis.
4. Many “immigrants” (many who don’t speak English) withdraw money from their cards and then wire the money via Western Union to other countries. Happens daily. So, our taxpayer money is being used OUTSIDE of our own borders. Also, money is frequently wired to inmates in Federal and state prison.
5. There are very few restrictions on what is considered “Food Stamp Approved” now. These people eat better than I do. I often saw them buying steaks, crab legs, you name it all the while carrying a Coach purse and smartphone with pretty nails.
6. Many of the cards are used by the “boyfriends” of these young gals that get them. It is totally lawful for them to give their card to someone else to use.
7. In IL, at my store at least I would say probably every 4th person uses a Link card.
Spread the word people. This has sort of become my pet cause because the abuse is so egregious and so many have no idea what really goes on.
Sadly, IL has no such card readers. Cigarettes go through without a problem but that could be because it is “allowed”.
Im not defending public assistance, but in Fl., the benefit for a mother with one child is $158/cash, $367/food stamps. Not doing alot of gambling on $158/month after paying the cell bill and getting your nails did.
Yep, I often would reprint receipts to show my friends just so they could see what I was talking about. I don’t see it on your particular example but at our store it also shows an ending food stamp and cash balance so we could see exactly what people have left in their accounts. My guess is, eventually they will eliminate our ability to see it.
” 1. Each month recipients are issued a “food” balance AND ready for it... a CASH balance. Yes,that’s right CASH. No way to regulate how that is spent.”
Partially true. They have to apply for cash in addition to food stamps. If they do receive cash, they have to participate in the welfare transition program(volunteer 30hrs per week at say, Goodwill). They don’t automatically get cash, and they’re not supposed to be sitting on their ass.
Do you live in IL? Because I have a VERY hard time believing that any of the people I saw do that. EVERY SINGLE person has a cash balance without exception. You mean to tell me that they are all participating in this program? I don’t buy it.
I also ate C’s in Vietnam, and the last time about 1975 when LRP’s came out. And yes, I recall the date on the ones in 75 were in the 40’s. Our Cav squadron had a whole warehouse full of them, and just left them abandoned on a target island in the pacific.
I miss the C’s, wish I could have some now.
MRE’s suck.
Anyone know a source for C-Rations?
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