Errm...foodstamps

[Springsteen]

Can someone give me answers on a few questions about them? Just a general beginners guide in a sense. Such as what do they look like, how people qualify for them, how they work in a shop in terms of the transaction process, what foods they can be used for. Plus your general views on them.

They don't have them in the UK, we do have foodbanks though.

 

[AUFred]

They have gone away from foodstamps in favor of what looks like a debit or credit card. The old foodstamps looked like play money from a board game. To qualify for them you must apply through USDA.

 

[Natasha]

Fred is right. The card that's issued looks like a regular debit card and you use it just the same. You can buy any food products w/ it, pretty much. Used to if it was "ready to go" food (like pizza or chicken from the deli) you couldn't put that on it, but that seems to have changed. I've even seen some pizza restaurants say they accept EBT (the "technical" term for food stamps). I have no problem w/ people receiving them if they've put into the system over the years.

 

[hart]

What Fred said. How do I feel about them? They are good for a transitional assistance but I was raised to believe if I had gone on them it was because I was lazy. But I know unfortunate, unexpected things happen to good people so though I don't always succeed I try hard not to judge, without finding out the story behind a person's situation.......that's my honest feelings.

 

[Dana]

Fred is right. The card that's issued looks like a regular debit card and you use it just the same. You can buy any food products w/ it, pretty much. Used to if it was "ready to go" food (like pizza or chicken from the deli) you couldn't put that on it, but that seems to have changed. I've even seen some pizza restaurants say they accept EBT (the "technical" term for food stamps). I have no problem w/ people receiving them if they've put into the system over the years.

They also put any cash you get from the government on it. Like I used to get A 10 dollar check each month usually 5 days before the end of the month. They no longer send me a check but they put it on the EBT card and you have to use it as cash instead of food; it usually offsets my food stamps when I run out. You can purchase anything with the cash part. Toiletries, clothing, etc.

 

[Dana]

What Fred said. How do I feel about them? They are good for a transitional assistance but I was raised to believe if I had gone on them it was because I was lazy. But I know unfortunate, unexpected things happen to good people so though I don't always succeed I try hard not to judge, without finding out the story behind a person's situation.......that's my honest feelings.

Most people think that. I'm on them because I get disability.

 

[Kakapo Dundee]

it's all done on debit cards here now. Only items that are excluded are alcohol and tobacco.

What do I think of them? Great when used properly. I try not to get bent out of shape when taxpayer money gets abused, it's always going to happen, and it won't make me feel better if my tax money goes on fixing my ulcers from worrying about benefit fraud.

 

[Kyle B]

I'm gonna guess it varies a little by state???

In NY it's a light blue card that says 'benefit'. Like Dana said, it's used both to buy food, and to buy things with money put on the card.

States also have WIC. That works a little differently. It's a check that's used to buy food and explicitly states what is to be bought with each check.

 

[AnitaBeer]

Each state is different when it comes to EBT. In SD they can only be used for food. It would be nice if they could be used for toiletries but they can't here...as of yet anyways. There is one pizza place that they can be used and that is because you have to take the pizza home to bake it. Nothing wrong with this, IMHO, if the person only does it one in a while but not all the time just because they don't want to cook.
I have been on it but am no longer. It does help when people really need it. I know I'd have completely been screwed if I wasn't able to use it during rough times. I don't like seeing people abuse it though and spend half of it on crap like candy and soda. I don't have a problem with it being used on treats when it's only a few dollars and the rest is actually good stuff.
But yea it's a card that is used right at the register and each month the state deposits funds on it.

 

[AUFred]

The card does not have the stigma the old paper stamps did.

 

[robdawg1]

The card does not have the stigma the old paper stamps did.

I still roll my eyes when I see someone whip that card out to pay for their candy and sodas and steak and shrimp, while i am in line behind them digging for change to pay for my 1.00 bread and a pack of balogney!

 

[Dana]

I still roll my eyes when I see someone whip that card out to pay for their candy and sodas and steak and shrimp, while i am in line behind them digging for change to pay for my 1.00 bread and a pack of balogney!

candy isn't right but i see no issue with meats cas long as she/he isn't buying fillet minot.

 

[robdawg1]

I have another post about people using their ebt card to pay for filet minion , new york strip, lobster, and scallops....it is in the ruffling feathers post

 

[Dana]

the real issue is the stigma that is around these "high end" meats".... Food is food.

 

[robdawg1]

I have nothing against people buying meat, but if you are needing tax payer dollars to pay for your meat then you get to get the cheap stuff....there should be restrictions on what people can buy!!

 

[Kakapo Dundee]

Frankly, I don't care what people buy with their tax-funded welfare, as long as they don't put their hand out elsewhere. If you want shrimp and fillet mignon, by all means skip breakfast to make it work, but don't go to the mission breakfast and the foodbank on the way.

 

[AnitaBeer]

Hell if people want to buy expensive meats and seafood once in a while then by all means do it!!! There's nothing wrong with it! If they are getting enough benefits to supply foods for the rest of that month and are able to splurge on an expensive meal once in a while then what does it matter?

 

[AUFred]

Hell if people want to buy expensive meats and seafood once in a while then by all means do it!!! There's nothing wrong with it! If they are getting enough benefits to supply foods for the rest of that month and are able to splurge on an expensive meal once in a while then what does it matter?

I don't see it as a big deal. However I have gone to the store when my wife and I both were working full time plus jobs for low wages and our groceries consisted of basic essentials & cheap meals when the people in front of us had three carts overflowing with cuts of meat I could not dream of affording. When the total came up they paid almost all of it in food stamps. Made me realize some things are just not fair. By the way the people ahead of us all looked healthy and quite capable of working.

 

[Kakapo Dundee]

How is it not fair? you can choose to work, and they take some of your money in taxes, or you can choose not to work, and you get free food!!!

 

[Dana]

Hell if people want to buy expensive meats and seafood once in a while then by all means do it!!! There's nothing wrong with it! If they are getting enough benefits to supply foods for the rest of that month and are able to splurge on an expensive meal once in a while then what does it matter?

Frankly I really don't see whats so special about filet minion myself... I don't even eat steak anymore.