Missouri may be banning steak and seafood from Food Stamp Program

[Planogirl]

I'd rather be aware that some are abusing the system than take a chance that others might go hungry.

 

[Beezle2]

As with anything else in life, it is the few who spoil it for the many. The EBT recipients who turn around and sell the products they purchase for cash are contributing to the negative impressions that the general public draws from these programs. Look at the baby formula scams. Expired cases of baby formula were being sold to mom/pop variety stores with the dates changed on the cans. Many of these were stolen from trash dumpsters and then the government monies are redeemed at full value. This scam takes place daily.

How do we help those who are over the income limits, unable to make ends meet? In my town we have a very well supported food bank, along with community supported and staffed, holiday meals. Anyone is welcome to attend and there is no income cap on the holiday meals. What we have learned is that our food bank benefits much better from cash donations, as opposed to hard goods donations. The food bank is able to get much lower pricing and stretch those dollars much further than individual donors can. This isn't to say that they won't accept your food donations, just that money goes further. Support of our weekly farmer's market also benefits lower income households, as our community provides assistance checks to offset the government food programs. This doesn't mean that someone does not go without food, as some households are too proud to ask for the help.

So you are saying yourself that it's just a few who might abuse what they get? We don't have to let the few spoil it for the many though, we can just realize that there will always be a few in anything that we can't do anything about and move on. I think we as a society have bigger problems than a few EBT scammers. When we were getting EBT for our foster kids I would just despise the old people (and it always was some older person in my experience) who had to crowd my space and stare at what I was buying and how I paid. It is shocking sometimes how nosy people can be. I did all I could to use the funds in one trip as they were only a portion of what I spent on food so I didn't have to use the card again and be judged. It was dumb I know because I was using them for a valid reason but can you imagine the comments when some judgy type saw me buy a cart of just meat with am EBT card dummies. Anyway my point is you really just don't know what is going on with people so leave them alone, I myself make it a point to give people space and not stare at either their cart or method of payment.

 

[LBIJim]

So you are saying yourself that it's just a few who might abuse what they get? We don't have to let the few spoil it for the many though, we can just realize that there will always be a few in anything that we can't do anything about and move on. I think we as a society have bigger problems than a few EBT scammers. When we were getting EBT for our foster kids I would just despise the old people (and it always was some older person in my experience) who had to crowd my space and stare at what I was buying and how I paid. It is shocking sometimes how nosy people can be. I did all I could to use the funds in one trip as they were only a portion of what I spent on food so I didn't have to use the card again and be judged. It was dumb I know because I was using them for a valid reason but can you imagine the comments when some judgy type saw me buy a cart of just meat with am EBT card dummies. Anyway my point is you really just don't know what is going on with people so leave them alone, I myself make it a point to give people space and not stare at either their cart or method of payment.

How does anyone know if someone is using an EBT card? Don't they just look like any credit or debit card? Hopefully they don't have a neon glowing flash that alerts everyone that it's being used.

My company's stores accept EBT cards, but I can't say I've ever noticed anyone using one. But it's the same machine used to swipe debit or credit cards. Then four choices appear on the screen: Debit, Credit, EBT Food, EBT Cash. No one can really see what touch pad "button" is being used. Cigarettes, beer, and non-food items can be purchased if the user has a cash allotment.

 

[Beezle2]

How does anyone know if someone is using an EBT card? Don't they just look like any credit or debit card? Hopefully they don't have a neon glowing flash that alerts everyone that it's being used.

My company's stores accept EBT cards, but I can't say I've ever noticed anyone using one. But it's the same machine used to swipe debit or credit cards. Then four choices appear on the screen: Debit, Credit, EBT Food, EBT Cash. No one can really see what touch pad "button" is being used. Cigarettes, beer, and non-food items can be purchased if the user has a cash allotment.

>>

In Michigan they are a distinctive blue/orange . And some people are nosy and look for them. I was embarrassed more than once by people staring, lol. I made DH stand and block peoples view sometimes. Which is pretty funny because there we were employed, helping kids, being good people..and I'm all AHHHHH don't look at me!!!!

 

[Dawnlight]

How does anyone know if someone is using an EBT card? Don't they just look like any credit or debit card? Hopefully they don't have a neon glowing flash that alerts everyone that it's being used.

My company's stores accept EBT cards, but I can't say I've ever noticed anyone using one. But it's the same machine used to swipe debit or credit cards. Then four choices appear on the screen: Debit, Credit, EBT Food, EBT Cash. No one can really see what touch pad "button" is being used. Cigarettes, beer, and non-food items can be purchased if the user has a cash allotment.

Yes, it looks like a card, but the way you pay also shows up on the screen. Also, if you buy any non-food items such as toilet paper or shampoo, it's not covered, so once you pay for qualified food items, another amount shows up and that needs to be paid with another form of payment. Yes, it's noticeable. I don't go looking for it, but my face would flush each time I had to use EBT while dh was unemployed.

 

[mnrose]

I am also mystified by all these people who "see" people abusing EBT (or SNAP as it's known here). Really? I pay zero attention to how other people pay for the items in their cart, or what they are. It's none of my business, is it?

And, even if you do "see" something, you know NOTHING about the situation, except what your own prejudices and preconceptions tell you to "see."

MYOB applies pretty well here.

 

[Mkrop]

For me it is not the people I see in the grocery story I have no idea who is buying what or how, it is the people in real life that I know that make my blood boil. People who do nothing to better themselves and go off and gamble their money and still expect the govt handout and has their child go without so they can have the latest gadget.

 

[luvsJack]

How does anyone know if someone is using an EBT card? Don't they just look like any credit or debit card? Hopefully they don't have a neon glowing flash that alerts everyone that it's being used.

My company's stores accept EBT cards, but I can't say I've ever noticed anyone using one. But it's the same machine used to swipe debit or credit cards. Then four choices appear on the screen: Debit, Credit, EBT Food, EBT Cash. No one can really see what touch pad "button" is being used. Cigarettes, beer, and non-food items can be purchased if the user has a cash allotment.

Here, any funds from the state or gv. goes on the same card so it may be ebt or welfare or diability or child support. So much of what people think is being bought on ebt can be being purchased on one of the others. And I think, you can add money to the cards too. Dd's friend get's child support on one and her mom gives it to her to use for gas, clothes, etc. If her mom uses some of the money for something she puts it back on the card.


There will always be people who play the system. I do know someone that gets paid in cash as much as possible and as such she gets food stamps. And I know another that refuses to get a job and seems to think the world owes her a living. But I truly believe they are the exception not the rule. And in both cases there are children who are able to eat better because of what their parents do.

 

[eliza61]

How does anyone know if someone is using an EBT card? Don't they just look like any credit or debit card? Hopefully they don't have a neon glowing flash that alerts everyone that it's being used.

My company's stores accept EBT cards, but I can't say I've ever noticed anyone using one. But it's the same machine used to swipe debit or credit cards. Then four choices appear on the screen: Debit, Credit, EBT Food, EBT Cash. No one can really see what touch pad "button" is being used. Cigarettes, beer, and non-food items can be purchased if the user has a cash allotment.

LBI,
I always wonder the same thing?? And then how do you know they are judging you? do people actually say something to some one who is shopping with a EBT card? I have never seen/heard anyone in a supermarket say derogatory things to another shopper.

I always feel like such a moron after these threads. lol, you could offer me a million dollars the second after I checked out if I could tell you how the person in front of you paid for their groceries. I'd lose that bet every time. most of the time I'm either busy mentally tallying up my food, looking through coupons or skimming a mag to remotely pay attention.

 

[eliza61]

Hey another question, I think this maybe regional. but around here the big scam isn't buying inappropriate items (or things perceived as such) but rather trying to sell the ebt cards for cash. I know there was talk of trying to make sure the correct owner of the cards where using them.

 

[Gracie09]

LBI,
I always wonder the same thing?? And then how do you know they are judging you? do people actually say something to some one who is shopping with a EBT card? I have never seen/heard anyone in a supermarket say derogatory things to another shopper.

I always feel like such a moron after these threads. lol, you could offer me a million dollars the second after I checked out if I could tell you how the person in front of you paid for their groceries. I'd lose that bet every time. most of the time I'm either busy mentally tallying up my food, looking through coupons or skimming a mag to remotely pay attention.

A friend of mine who used food stamps and wic for her foster kids has heard rude and derogatory remarks while checking out with them. She has also been yelled at in the parking lot by people who think her car is too nice for someone on "welfare". She no longer shops with her kids because she doesn't want them to hear what is said to her and she doesn't feel safe after the parking lot incident.

 

[bcla]

How does anyone know if someone is using an EBT card? Don't they just look like any credit or debit card? Hopefully they don't have a neon glowing flash that alerts everyone that it's being used.

I know of at least one store that is cash-only except that they take California's (distinctive) Golden Advantage card. The machine is also in the back and not at the counter. So yeah - it's pretty obvious when someone is using it. I wouldn't really care except that I'm waiting an extra 30 seconds for the transaction to finish when I'm worried that my parking meter is going to expire.

 

[smiths02]

Yeah those pesky entitlement programs like social security, unemployment, VA programs, medicare, medicaid, federal employee health care. Combined they make up a whooping 2% of our federal budget. We need to rein in all that unnecessary spending

Where do you get your information?
I see that in 2014...
Medicare/Medicaid was 25% of federal spending
Social Security was 24%
Welfare and other entitlement was 11%

 

[smiths02]

Hey another question, I think this maybe regional. but around here the big scam isn't buying inappropriate items (or things perceived as such) but rather trying to sell the ebt cards for cash. I know there was talk of trying to make sure the correct owner of the cards where using them.

My husband is in law enforcement. The big problem here is basically fake stores. A lot of these convenience stores in poor neighborhoods that basically launder the food stamp money, so they give people cash instead of food products, then redeem the food stamp value from the government.
I think this is why they went to cards instead of stamps, people were selling the stamps
The only way to stop this is to limit the stores that can redeem EBT/food stamps. However, many people can't get to a major retailers, so then what?

 

[Gracie09]

Where do you get your information?
I see that in 2014...
Medicare/Medicaid was 25% of federal spending
Social Security was 24%
Welfare and other entitlement was 11%

As I said upthread I mistyped. But Forbes reports food stamps and cash assistance as 2.2%

http://www.forbes.com/sites/bethhof...why-it-is-critical-to-continue-their-support/

also food stamp trafficking fraud costs around 1 cent per dollar. So 1% is "lost" due to fraud. So 99% is used correctly.

 

[Gracie09]

Where do you get your information?
I see that in 2014...
Medicare/Medicaid was 25% of federal spending
Social Security was 24%
Welfare and other entitlement was 11%

source??

 

[smiths02]

http://www.heritage.org/federalbudget/budget-entitlement-programs

source??

I was a child on welfare/food stamps, so I understand poverty at least a little.
IMO, Worrying about steak and lobster is stupid.
I just don't think we should never worry where the money is going or where it is coming from (massive national debt).

 

[undertheradar]

All 3 of our kids have worked at our local Walmart as cashiers. Most people would have no clue who is paying with assistance except for the shoppers who insist they have more funds available than exist, or they redeem multiple forms of assisted payment : EBT, WIC, local charity checks, local farmers market checks are some. When you scream at my 16 or 17 year old that your children are going to starve without everything you have put on the belt, my child isn't even allowed to react. They have to hold any response in and release it at the end of the shift or in the break room. Yes, our children have witnessed a side of society that they hope to avoid in the future. And yes, these types of outbursts occur regularly. Eye opening and a life lesson that no text book can provide.

 

[Gracie09]

http://www.heritage.org/federalbudget/budget-entitlement-programs


I was a child on welfare/food stamps, so I understand poverty at least a little.
IMO, Worrying about steak and lobster is stupid.
I just don't think we should never worry where the money is going or where it is coming from (massive national debt).

actually "welfare programs and other entitlements" include
These programs include: the refundable portions of the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, which assist low- and moderate-income working families through the tax code; programs that provide cash payments to eligible individuals or households, including Supplemental Security Income for the elderly or disabled poor and unemployment insurance; various forms of in-kind assistance for low-income families and individuals, including SNAP (food stamps), school meals, low-income housing assistance, child care assistance, and assistance in meeting home energy bills; and various other programs such as those that aid abused and neglected children.

Not just food stamps (which is what we are discussing here).

so apples to oranges.

http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=1258

 

[eliza61]

A friend of mine who used food stamps and wic for her foster kids has heard rude and derogatory remarks while checking out with them. She has also been yelled at in the parking lot by people who think her car is too nice for someone on "welfare". She no longer shops with her kids because she doesn't want them to hear what is said to her and she doesn't feel safe after the parking lot incident.

I swear I serious wonder about people some times.