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Last edited Wed Mar 26, 2014, 03:35 PM - Edit history (1)
Just food and ONLY food. There seems to be a lot of confusion about this, so let me explain:
EBT cards are primarily for food stamps since all but less then 1% of the assistance goes to people on foodstamps. (I'll get to the less than 1% later.)
For people receiving foodstamp assistance, their EBT cards have a certain amount loaded onto it. My MIL's was $102.00/month. She is not well now, but when she was able to do her shopping w/my assistance, I saw how it worked... There was no cash involved whatsoever. We'd load up her cart with the things she needed. This would include non-food items such as cleaning stuff, toilet paper, ect.
There was no need to separate the items because when it was rung up, the register automatically did it. In other words, that $102.00 went to her food, and her food ONLY... the non-food items had to be paid for w/cash (from her SS). No cash was involved w/her EBT card. Plus there was no way to buy anything other than food because the card would not do it. I really want to make that clear, since people seem to think other things (like cigs, alcohol, ect) can be bought w/them but it doesn't work that way. 
She was a FS only EBT card holder.
The only way cash comes into play w/an EBT card is if a person is receiving TANF assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). That is the less than 1% that I was referring to... They get their monthly cash assistance (and foodstamps) on an EBT card. That assistance does indeed come via cash, and can be gotten through an ATM. As an aside, the average monthly amount for a family of 3 is $486.00 (I will see if I can find the source. I just read about this the other day in my local newspaper...)
Just wanted to clear that up. 
Eta The link I promised in my last paragraph:
It involves about 1 percent of Maine households and doesn’t even cover a majority of children in poverty. As the name suggests, it is a short-term benefit for almost all its recipients, and those who stay on it longer than five years are likely to have a disability or be caring for a family member who is disabled. This is hardly the overgenerous and overused, out-of-control welfare program that its critics claim.
http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/editorials/Our_View__Welfare_bills_move_Maine_in_the_wrong_direction_.html
cannot be used for anything other than food, and not restaurant food or even a rotisserie chicken (hot, prepared foods)...
If a person has a cash benefits amt., usually from TANF or Child Support awards, then the card works like a debit card. There is a distinct difference in how SNAP benefits can be used and there is never a cash back option of any cash handled in either direction when SNAP account is used.
If a $ amt. is accrued, it stays there for about a year and then goes away if unused.
So to answer the question in the OP, yes, if it is EBT CASH, it should be allowed as that is for use at the discretion of the cardholder.
You cannot buy anything other than food with SNAP benefits. But most cards are linked to cash benefits also. If there is cash available they should use it to get out of jail. Because it is the welfare of the children at stake with a parent in jail. Anyone can go to jail!!! You could be just as I was. Left home to hit the store around the corner. Toilet tissue on sale 1.89. Was down to last roll so I thought better grab some right quick. Left the house in my Jeep and was pulled over by police for a blown tail light (husband just replaced the day before). I had forgot my purse and had only the Two bucks for tissue. Before I knew it I had Four hundred dollars worth of tickets and my truck impounded!! And the officer politely informed me with no ID I could have been arrested and held until they found out who I was! Yes Arrested!! He even took me back to my residence in the squad car. Called my daughter before I got home and warned her I was coming home in police car, she asked what happened?? I told her me and a lady got into a fight over the last pack of tissue on sale and it was on.
I really did say that. The officer was laughing and said that deserves a ride to the house. So I say this to say you could have a minor traffic violation that could land you in jail. Maybe even mistaken identity. If you have cash available on your card you should have the ability to get out of jail. Only Families with Children and elderly, disabled people are on these programs!!! And I am not one of them!! But if they had of locked my ass up I would have used any kind of card to get out
It never occurred to me that a question like that would spawn a challenge, especially one that mentions race baiting. It is an awful implication. I just thought the EBT issue was a legitimate and interesting question that I was clueless to answer.
Thank you, jurors, for understanding.
If anyone (such as the alerter) would like a screenshot from the debate on Facebook, I can provide it in order to prove it was actually occurring. The facebook discussion was fairly interesting and drew strong responses from both ends of the political spectrum.
As for the accusation of making sexist posts (as in a post that shows "unfair treatment of people because of their sex"
, I challenge the alerter to provide an example.
Juror #6 guessed that I am "not one of us". It's a good observation, and currently an accurate observation. I posted prolifically on SmirkingChimp for years, only occasionally dropping in at DU. I was definitely a part of the SC community, and they welcomed and thrived on healthy passionate debate. I left SC because the population fell off, some of the friends I'd made died or went off the radar, and I really didn't post anything for a couple of years after I bailed. I've only been posting regularly to DU for the past several months, and it has been a rough beginning.
Several people have accused me of all sorts of horrid things. I stuck my foot in my mouth in one very public moment of foolishness, but otherwise I've attempted to be rigidly polite, despite the fact that some of the folks here have been rather unpleasant. Yet at the same time, some of the voices here are delightful. Whether I become "one of us" is a question the DU community and I will have to determine as time proceeds.
Regards,
Andrew
... should just remain in jail .... they're poor they must be guilty 
