Food stamps/EBT Cards review: Food stamps 228

OH get a life and complain about something else more important
I bet if u could do it too you would
there are more things in this world to complain about than worring about what someone buyes with food stamps

F.Y.I.
some people on food stamps pays taxes too

I though you should know this before you complain about food stamp purchases again.

I was thrilled to find this complaint and also to add to it. I work at a local mass merchandiser, so I see more than my fair share of EBT / government /welfare program abuse. On one occasion, a young black couple bought a 47.50 package of snow crab legs and paid for it with EBT stating that they wanted to try it and if they did not like it, they would just throw it out because "the guvmints payin' fo it". I was so disgusted by these people that I never said anything and just let them go on there way - not that there is much that I can say or do. I also see people using EBT to buy junk food, candy, chips, and soda . . and energy drinks on occasion. I thought EBT was made available by the US government to help nourish those who cannot make ends meet on their wages. Twice now I have had this older black man come in at about 10:30 at night when I am trying to close down my department, who buys a ton of stuff (including hot prepared foods - which cannot be purchased on EBT) and then both times argues with me that his fried chicken would not go through on EBT. All the time I notice that he has a huge wad of cash in his wallet, yet he cannot just pay the 5-6 dollars for the hot food items out of his own cash. Instead, I have to void off the hot foods, and they then go to waste because they cannot be resold. Something else that truly bothers me about black people and EBT - they always seem to have this horrid sense of entitlement about it. I have seen it before, a black lady, with cash-stuffed pocket book and Mercedes car keys in hand, buys a huge load of candy, soda, and garbage food with EBT and then complains to me that she cannot get cash back on her EBT card. What do you say to people like this? It just frustrated me so much, and I know I should not judge people based on what I see, but the stereotypes are very true, only becoming more set in stone each and every day. Every time I have seen white people use EBT (Which is not very often at all) they use it to buy canned goods, fresh vegetables, and nourishing food items that they really do need - not tons of junk food, nor do they carry an air of entitlement about it during the transaction. Just my rant, I don't know what more I can do about it, but I think there needs to be a huge welfare reform here in the US.

like me i work and pay takes i have since i was old enough, not too. mention my family was poor so i had to help work to pay rent. I don't purchase wine for cooking or drinking with my EBT card i buy food to make healthy meals :veggies, fish, fruit etc. with no EBT i would live off top ramen because of the prices where i live. So just because you may have seen one person do this doe not make every one that way! I'm sick of people like you ! The person who when i was 8 years old stood behind my single mom of three and gave dirty looks and huffed and puffed becaus they had to wait and "their hard earned tax $" were being wasted. Not every poor person is a mooch some people need help to survive and dont take advantage and for you to zoom in and sterotype is shamefull way for a human to see. excuse my grammer but i care little of that just as you just see all EBT holders as winos. open your eyes to the larger picture or shut up.

If this was really a 'friend' of yours, you'd get off your duff and do something about it - LIKE A REAL FRIEND - instead of coming on the internet and making sweeping generalizations about millions of people based on your personal experience with a whopping number of one persons.

Some friend you are. Does your 'friend' know you think he's a POS and that you talk about him in public to complete strangers?

All you welfare alarmists need to go take a long look at yourselves in the mirror. To rational, normal people...you all sound insane.

Regardless of his "whopping number of one persons'' encounter, it doesn't change the fact that it's true. Working at a grocery store right across from the "other side of the tracks" will show you a lot. People, buying junk food for their fat ### children, some even selling their food stamp cards for cash to others. I've seen people come in with 4 or 5 food stamp cards at once, none of them with the same name on the card. Wanna know why? Because it doesn't belong to them. Seeing other people, withdrawing money from their EBT Cash section of the account to by beer, cigs, and lottery tickets. A whole system based on weakness. I'm not gonna lie to you, the majority of the people that come in where I work, abuse the system. I'm gonna say around 70 to 80 percent of the people that come in are abusing the system in some way or another. So if you won't take another's testimony about seeing "one person" and "hating people like you"...then take mine. I've worked at this place for nearly 6 years. Started in high school and now into college. It's a good job with flexible hours and decent pay. A college student can't ask for much more than that. So if you plan on knocking on my job, don't. I've seen it. Take my word for it and quit antagonizing people just for the sake of it.

too the racist complaining about black people and ebt cards, where i live in arlington texas, it's white people and only white people that have approached me trying to sell foodstamps to me, a hardworking, black mother(and wife) of four. i think you should check your facts and worry about what the "guv'ment" is missing out on because of ALL who misuse it.

I work in a grocery store ( have for years ) and I can tell you that it's extremely frustrating seeing all these people wearing designer clothes, paying with EBT and then giong right over to the lottery machine and spending at least 100 bucks DAILY. They need to make EBT a lot more like WIC and narrow down what is possible to get with it. I'm not against people getting food stamps, after all...it is needed in some cases, but please. Narrow it down a bit more so that it can be used for what it's actually intended for.

Of course "sweetgirl" pulls the race card - I knew someone would. Not that this really matters, but I am not racist - I only tells 'em as I sees 'em.

You have got to be kidding with all of these complaints agaisnt people with food benefit cards. I will be completely honest and say that I go to a $25, 000 a year college, my father sends me $500 for rent and other bills, I also have two jobs at my school (making about $250 every two weeks). I have a food benefits card and I did not lie at all on my application. I told the complete truth in my interview and I am able to receive the max amount a single individual can receive ($200 a month). Now some people may tell me im cheating the government. Well as a 20 year old college student, I am never going to see a cent of the social security I have been paying into. My own economics teacher congratulated me on getting the card.

This is all ### I am on the EBT program becuase I can't work due to the recession out here in PHX the family I live with is on it as well. Mom is unable to work let alone get out of bed sometimes her two kids both go to school my other room mate has very little work experience and as for me I am the go for and chauffeur tot he family I am not able to get a job because I am helping my new mom with her medical appointments and keep the house fixed and going. People have said I am cheating the system becuase supposedly I can work well sorry I can't get a job like other people can I have been trying for 3 years now. I use EBT I buy healthy food and yes occasionally junk food so what I am not afraid to admit I need help but I am pissed that everyone here says that only thieves and the likes use EBT. I follow the rules and I do what is right so stop saying all EBT users are lazy or abusing the system yeah you may live near bad parts of town so of course you are going to see people abusing the system but do not judge all of use by the bad ones you see.

My family of five has been on EBT for going on four months now. It was one of the hardest, most humbling things for me to walk in and apply for this, but I can tell you, when I received that card in the mail, I cried in relief walking back to the house. Yet when I go shopping, I dread going through the checkout because I feel so bad having to use my "welfare". I don't think I'm the only one who feels this way, either. I buy fresh fruits/vegies, whole wheat breads/pastas, frozen vegetables, yogurt, low-fat cheeses, etc. and try to buy the store brand whenever possible. Occasionally, I will buy a store-brand bag of chips or a bottle of pop, but feel guilty for doing it and dread facing the cashiers.

Most of them are very discreet and nice, but there are a few, well... . You know. They see that you are one of "those people" on food stamps, their tone gets a little clipped when they hand you your receipt, and they won't look you in the eyes.

I wish they knew that I am looking for a job- I want one desperately!- but EVERYONE in our area is doing the same. There was a massive lay-off at a local factory and now the most mundane positions are absolutely flooded with applications. My husband works so hard to support us, but since his work is dependent upon the weather conditions- and the weather has been absolutely awful for months- it has been nearly impossible to scrape by.

My children don't wear new clothes. The Salvation Army $1 kid's section is where I shop. For their shoes, too. I try to buy only things that look new or nearly new, though. They don't dress at the height of fashion, but they look clean and respectable. We drive a 13 year old minivan we bought for a few hundred dollars. We very, very rarely eat out, and if we do happen to, it's usually a burger off the dollar menu somewhere.

I am SO very grateful to have the EBT card- it has meant my children have good, healthy things to eat. Please try to understand that there are people out there who are struggling- hopefully for just a little while- and this service is invaluable to them. We understand how you could feel frustrated at the thought of someone getting a "free hand out", but a lot of us want to be back on our feet, supporting our families, just as much as you want us off of the food stamps.

Well I work a 25 hr a week shift at a local grocery store dont make enough to afford to live without having 2 roommates they wont give me any more hours been trying to get full-time for 11 months now but they dont want to pay the benefits. Just had my car ### the bed and repair is going to be 3, 500 dollars I owe 4, 000 on the car so looks like i now wont have a car to get me there my mouth is hurting so bad went to the dentist that was fixed around my salary and paid 44 dollars to get a tooth pulled i think its infected because it took them like 5 min to pull it and its been a week said it would heal in 3 days and as far as i know i cant get assistance from anyone because my wife and i make like 400 a week put together. so im pretty much ### out of luck

I am so disgusted reading all this BS! I am a white woman who is married, I have 3 children and 2 step children, I've worked in a restaurant for 15 years and I've been going to college for the past 3 years, I'll graduate in 1. I live in a poor neighborhood where people of all races, religions, cultures and backgrounds live. Sometimes I've needed food stamps and sometimes I've been able to get by without them. I use coupons when I don't have a bridge card and I use them when I do have a bridge card. I buy fruit, vegetables and JUNK FOOD with or without the bridge card and I don't feel like it's anyone's business! I work, I pay taxes and I don't give a damn how anyone else feeds themselves or their kids as long as they're eating! I also believe that everyone black, white, poor, rich, fat or skinny deserves junk food once in a while! Simplicity89 sorry to inform you but yeah you are a RACIST! Mute254 that's exactly what you need to do BE MUTE cause you sound like an idiot and i hope you don't work at my grocery store passing judgment on the people you're supposed to be serving! none of you are better than any of the people you encounter, you just think you are, which in my opinion makes you worse! By the way Simplicity89 with the simple mind, Sweetgirl didn't pull the race card you ### all she said is that people of all races misuse the system which is absolutely true!

Simplicity89 you are a Racist son of a ###!

Remember the part where I said that "around 70 to 80 percent of the people that come in are abusing the system in some way or another"? I never accused precious23 of being in that majority. Precious23, you might be in that minority. I don't know that for sure because I don't know you so, obviously, I wouldn't even consider accusing you. And that goes for Drekk too. There is 20 to 30 percent margin where people DON'T abuse the system and clearly that isn't "saying all EBT users are lazy or abusing the system". Don't assume that I am talking about you. The only point I was making was that where I work, where I alone deal with around 1000 customers a week give or take 50, I see the signs of abuse to the system and weak internal controls to prevent it.

Yes, I am sure that the ones complaining work hard and need some assistance and the ones who can't find a job need it. Times are tough, I get it. I believe that simplicity89 brought up a good point about controlling what is bought. Little Debbie swiss rolls are a luxury item, not a necessity. If you want to buy junk food because everyone "deserves junk food once in a while", do so without assistance and pay out of pocket. Although simplicity89 strayed a little bit and went to the racist card (maybe he did, maybe he didn't), I believe that was his (or her) main point and it is a valid one.

Now, remember, I, in no way, accused anyone of being lazy or abusing the system. I offered my experience, which is more than enough to voice my opinion based on some amount of fact (in my grocery store only). This can be a friendly discussion on both sounds of the argument.

And to precious23, being mute has no effect on typing, but with speech. Just a friendly reminder :)

I am sickened by people who abuse the food stamps system. They do make it very difficult for those who really need it.

A little over a month ago I received expedited EBT card. I am disabled and out of work for over a year. Savings evaporated very quickly by unexpected expenses about the same time I had to quit work. Getting food stamps was the best thing for me, as I now get a variety of food instead of eating ramen on occasion and remaining constantly hungry. My health and energy increase has been dramatic.

I just want to point out a few things. I have NO money (I am awaiting a decision from SSI). I have food stamps, but I cannot get toothpaste, toilet paper, etc. (I am living with family members who resent having me here and will share very little.) Due to the nature of my disabilities I often buy food that others may find excessive or luxurious. I cannot take long to prepare food so nearly all my meals must be ready-to-microwave. I am also borderline hypoglycemic which means I need to have sugary foods on hand, as well as salty ones. "Junk food", in other words, is a necessity for me. I still purchase quite a bit of ramen to balance out the cost of prepared meals so that I at least have something to eat. I also buy fruits and vegetables but they must be in a ready-to-eat form (bananas are a favorite), but as these go bad quickly it would probably seem disproportionate.

I know it's got to be frustrating to see people abuse the system, especially in the percentages cited, but please also remember some people may have a need for the odd foods they buy. Most cashiers are quite nice and discreet, but I have gotten some dirty looks when purhcasing sweets for my hypoglycemia, or mints for my stomach problems (since I cannot buy actual medicine).

All in all, the food stamps have been a miracle to me.

Oh, as for nice clothes...I have a decent wardrobe from a prosperous time years ago, and from hand-me-downs, second-hand stores, etc. The cheap clothes wear out quickly but the nicer clothes can last for years even when the money is gone. Just another thought to keep in mind.

I also work at a grocery store my husband is in the military and I'm in school and we don't get food stamps, instead we scrape by and are very thoughful with where our money goes when it comes to groceries buying cheap bananas instead of five dollars per lb grapes and cheap cuts of meat etc. I see the same thing seventy to eighty percent of people using ebt cards buying name brand junk and snack food a live lobster today( one of two sold) and the highest cuts of meat. WHY SHOULD MY MONEY (taxes I'm paying) FEED THOSE ON FOODSTAMPS BETTER THAN IT FEEDS MY FAMILY? Maybe all those receiving aide should really look at where your grocery money is coming from and thank all of us paying taxes for your family to eat by purchasing essentials. The foodstamp program should work more like WIC and allow for food essentials only.

I am amazed at the turn of events that this topic has created! I stumbled upon this site while looking for an answer to the question "can I use my EBT card at Walgreens". I still do not have my answer, but this conversation put a screetching halt to my search. I wanted to see if Walgreens accepted EBT cards so that I could go there to purchase CANDY! Does that make me a bad person? am I 'using' the system? The only one who knows the answer to those questions is ME. I'd like to elaborate. Today is April 7, it is three days after Easter. My daughter decided to spend Easter at her father's (with her baby brother) this year. Although I had already purchased a small amount of Easter basket items for her (which would have been impossible, had it not been for my EBT card), I decided to take the opportunity of a delayed celebration to purchase further items at a greatly reduced price. You may think I'm full of it, but I actually crocheted her three small baskets, as I was unable to actually purchase one with an EBT card and no real cash to speak of. If I decide to buy Easter candy, or snacks, or whatever it is that makes my daughter happy, that is my choice, I don't mind eating a Spam or tuna sandwich for this purpose. You have to budget your EBT the same way that you budget your money. You do without somethings to do this. Just because you have limited money, do you never splurge? Never over spend on something frivilous? I don't think so. This is where you spend hours on couponing and store deals, and maybe have BOGO hot dogs, instead of the healthy 97% beef burger. The fact that someone is in need of financial (food) help, does not mean that ANYONE else has the right to regulate how they eat! Some (actually most) people do not cook and eat healthy. Quite frankly, it is expensive. I can tell you that my daughter has never liked meat. Makes it hard to feed her. Sometimes I'm just happy that I've found something that she actually likes and will eat more than 2 bites of. These items may seem wasteful to someone else, but to us, they are staple, and we are greatful for them. I do not believe for one second that people with financial dificulties should no longer desire, let alone crave, 'junk food'! And if they are able to budget and finagle their weekly menu to include these (actually important) items, more power to them (us)! I would like to add at this time, because so many people feel that they are owed an explaination, that I am 44 years old, and this is the first time in my life that I have taken the opportunity to utilize any sort of help like this. I know that some people abuse the system, but for the most part, the system helps those who need it. Nothing is fool-proof, so get over it. If you're upset about contributing to the lower income's junk food habits, how are you going to feel being laid up in a hospital bed for thousands of $$$$ due to a coronary?! Relax, it's all for the greater good. ### and complaining only spreads more negativity, why not find something that makes you feel good and spread that around! That being said, I am more determined than ever to go out and buy my daughter some well deserved Easter treats for our personal celebration tomorrow ... with my EBT card! I hope I did not offend anyone here, as my purpose was to do the opposite. God Bless us everyone!

In fact, I think hot foods should be allowed. In some areas, hot foods are cheaper than cold foods. The reason it works for all food. Is because fruits & vegetable are expensive. Think about it. Leave two weeks on junk food or leave one week and starve the second week. It is really not that much benefit with the card. You don't get very much at all. For the one in the military. They have there own food help programs for the other spouse. You possible could still qualify for ebt card. I even meet a person working at a grocery store, tell me the get food stamps, because her rent is to high. Yes, if you rent or mortgage is two high. Then you can get food stamps. Some states even count your cars against you. Indiana change that, they only count 2 cars, 1car is ok unless it a luxury item, you could sell & get another card. 2 cars is ok if you both work. I think county card against is really not that smart. You need a car to go get grocery.

Let's also take into consideration that not all people who use EBT cards are on welfare. I have an EBT card for the $20K in child support I am owed. If I choose to purchase wine for the card then so be it. Obviously my child comes first and I owed $6K in taxes last year so there's that theory out the window!

Well to add to the craziness in these replies, this is my story of how I came to use the EBT program, which I personally think we are all owed, due to our government's incompetency to provide a stable situation for any of us. I grew up in California, my parents were what most people would consider "rich". My Dad built our house from scratch with his construction company, we had an airplane to fly to Disneyland etc., 50 car collection including Lamborghini Countash brand new. I am just illustrating I grew up more well off then most of you "complainers" with no expectation of ending up where I'm at. After they divorced, and the company was bankrupt, I lived with my single Mom. My Dad left the country and with my Mom going to work over full-time I dropped out of school without even telling her. At 19 I got my GED (which means basically nothing in this economy as far as getting a job), had a kid, and have been working ever since and utilizing the EBT program. Now I am 24 with 2 kids, I work under-the-table construction (no taxes for you smarties), and I receive cash assistance and food stamps. I would be who most of you are complaining about: complete "abuser" of the system, as far as not paying taxes and receiving benefits while working an unreported job. Realize what our government is doing here. Are you so sure you will NEVER be in a situation to need government assistance? America is struggling so you are trying to take the food away from the poor people. While no one I talk to really cared about the 700 billion dollar bank bailout! Banks who do not report to our government or even have to say where that money went. The Federal Reserve is not even held accountable to our government (because they are a private organization) which is neither here nor there, bot most people don't even know that! We are in the same boat and you are trying to throw out the only passengers who can fight by your side. Read "OUR" Bill of Rights, read what our founding fathers warned us about, which is going on right now. Read what Woodrow Wilson said when he signed in the Federal Reserve Act "...We have come to be one of the worst ruled, one of the most completely controlled and dominated governments in the world-- no longer a government of free opinion, no longer a government by conviction and vote of the majority, but a government by the opinion and duress of small groups of dominant men." -- President Woodrow Wilson. Well I don't even know where else to go with this I could go on forever. Poor people aren't the problem is the point. Everything that you see is planned and orchestrated, our wealth is being stolen from us and no one sees that. Maybe if we didn't go to WAR WITH IRAQ WE WOULDN'T BE SO [censor]ING POOR. Most Americans don't even care about the war. It makes me so sad, 99.9 percent of the people dying in the war or either Americans or Iraqi CIVILIANS. You know what all you grocery clerk tv watching [censor]s tell me?!?! Don't you want to hurt the people who hurt us? [censor] them, etc. How much money does the Iraq war equal? Plus the $700 billion bailout. You are the reason people like me are on foodstamps with your closed-minded violent American attitude. DO SOME RESEARCH ON WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR COUNTRY AND THE WORLD!

spiritual one, why would you automatically assume that the people who are angry at you for abusing the system and not paying taxes why they pay taxes so a program can be put in place to feed your family would be uneducated on the current conflict in the middle east? Those two things (anger toward people who abuse the system and being ignorant to what is happening in the world) do not automatically go together.

It would also seem that a closed minded and Violent American attitude would not have such a program in place and would instead funnel money into the war instead of into the act of feeding families.

I'm not sure your ideas all mesh together.

I know, I went off on a rant. I didn't tie it together in the way I would have liked because I was a little heated, and have many other concerns with America that just seemed to squeeze themselves in there. But I do think that America is funneling money into the Iraq war instead of into feeding families here. Maybe the EBT program hasn't been cut yet, but they are trying to. And the question of where more money is spent between the two is really no question at all. Furthermore, I do agree we really shouldn't be in a situation where the EBT program is necessary, but we are here, and now we are forced to act accordingly. California specifically (where I reside) has it's economy being blatantly destroyed by the immigration from Mexico. Now I know it's a touchy issue and I am no racist, but look at our response to 911? It's not our fault (us utilizing/abusing the system). Our country picks it's battles, most, if not all, of which screw over people like you and me. Everyone supporting the Iraq war will only see personal loss from the war, it's all about revenge. There weren't even weapons of mass destruction (which only WE, powerful policing America can have), but still, here we go into Afghanistan. Back to the point I guess... There is no good argument to take away EBT or welfare. Create a situation where it isn't necessary. Why doesn't our all-powerful, all-seeing government put any amount of effort into creating jobs for it's citizens. Create some natural power plants utilizing free energy and create jobs. It's not the greatest idea but the point is there are options to help people like me out. Your average American. Sorry, I don't work for the state and get paid triple my job title. I move lumber all day, frame the additions to your home, climb under your house to dig footings, a lot of things you people rely on that i GUARANTEE are much harder than whatever you happen to do for a tax-paying living. [censor] taxes. What principles were America created upon? Paying taxes, or not paying taxes? Here's a little quote for thought: "Should government refrain from taxation, the worthlessness of the money becomes apparent and the FRAUD can no longer be concealed." -- British Lord John Maynard Keynes (the father of 'Keynesian Economics' which our nation now endures) in his book "THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE PEACE" (1920). All you happy taxpayers are just dumb and the generation that is your children. Me, 24 years old. Will abolish what you have created. I know you all love this system of invisible slavery, that you have left for your children and myself. But we say to you [censor] you, [censor] taxes, how could you not envision the path you were heading on. I'm sorry I don't swear much but it's just horrible. We are free, living, breathing, spiritual beings on this great planet that we call Earth. It is to be shared with everyone and everything. Everyone born on this planet should have a piece of land that they can call home. WITHOUT ANY MONEY! Sadly, a long time ago some people realized this all and began taking everything they wanted and selling it back to the rest of the world. You all go on paying your taxes and not caring. Ignorance is bliss.

spiritual one it seems to be you are just going out of your way to commit fraud and cheat the system and now you are going out of your way to justify it. Maybe you should let the people who need food stamps benefit from it. And as a medic who also happens to work two other jobs I'm not sure you are in a place to say you work harder than me. Plus I pay my taxes and don't expect other hardworking tax paying people like myself to pay for my family's meals.

Strip the blacks of there welfare and money/food benefits they get. Give them to the white people that are need. Hell yes I am raciest. And wont change that. The Blacks are truly the worst. Weather you live by the "bad part of town" or not. All you do is see them fight complain and use anything to there advantage to get whatever it is there after. White people that pay taxes, those taxes should go to help the white people that are in need. That should be it. Every race takes care of there own. Just like all the blacks that are in the Entertainment business that come from the "hood" while making millions that do spend a damn dime on there "hood" to help there people out. They buy there kids 400, 000 cars! P diddy.
Its ridiculous that all whites don't see it this way and argue this fact.

Why is everyone apologizing for using an EBT card. You dont owe anyone any explanations about why you use the card and what you buy with it. I use an EBT card, I am married with 2 biological children and 4 additional children I take care of who's mom is incarcerated. Yes I use my EBT card. I have been working since the age of 14, (summer youth programs until the age of of 16 where I could work after school). I am a college graduate, who was laid off July 2009. Yes people! The economy is bad! It's horrible to see all these racist people on here saying that black people are the ones abusing the system, honey you've got the internet. Why don't you google the race the receives the most welfare. Wake up call! It sure as heck isn't black people. It's us! To the ignorant fool who said she works in a grocery store and is going to college. Well honey, Karma is a B, and God is real! You must now realize that more and more college educated individuals are now on welfare! And by the time you are done with college be prepared to either continue leeching off daddy or be on welfare too, cause supermarket pay is just like welfare except you punch a clock and go to work for your pennies. You need to go to your local welfare department and apply for an EBT card too, maybe then you can buy a clue!

This is for you Brenda. Before you start to bash a race, maybe you should go to get some help on how to spell. Did you proof read what you wrote? How far did you get in school honey? The reason why the rest of the white race doesn't see things your way is because we are apart of the human race and we all went far enough in school to learn the basics, like how to read, write and spell. Maybe if that was a "fact" and not an opinion. You can't argue a fact sweetie. Do you get EBT too? I can bet the answer is yes. I'll bet you are upset that someone you know who is black gets more on their EBT card than you.

Can't figure out what you misspelled it's racist not raciest, and the proper word in that context is whether not weather, that the temperature darlin. LOL!

Okay, so the point is people, when it comes down to pride or food, what would you choose. I could give a good F about what somebody thinks of me. My children come before anything, and anybody else. Those same people who are giving you grief about feeding your family wont lift a finger to help you if you told them you opted not to take the foodstamps. Survival, think about it!

So sorry Brenda, was so frustrated upon first gaze all I saw was the name underneath. I apologize. Thanks for setting me straight. Proud

Haven't most people paid taxes at one point in their lives? Even most people on the Food Stamp Program pay taxes, so why cry about your tax dollars? Furthermore don't we get that money back the following year anyway? Why should I feel I am better than someone because I pay taxes...? What would you prefer your tax money do? Isn't helping people buy food a good cause? I am so confused! I agree there are some people who abuse the system and although these people take pride in the way they carry themselves (wearing nice clothes) I'm sure tha doesn't negate the fact that they are working or trying to work to support the children they have at home.

Well here is how I see it. I worked up until I was 44 yrs old, had a terrible accident, ended up on food stamps and ssdi. Well I hated it so I went back to work because, still had a mind and arms and hands, maybe in a wheel chair but still able to do some work!

While on foodstamps, I saw it too. Big huge people standing in line before me with the new ebt card?/? is that what they are called? Anyway, back to huge big people buying all kinds of crap. It made me want to vomit most of the time. I did not even buy crap like that when I did not have food stamps. I don't think its just black people though. There were some mighty hefty whites, mexican, etc. You see everyone wants a handout from the government these days. And yes, most think they deserve it.

That is so what is wrong with our country. There are all kinds of jobs to do, americans simply don't want to do them. I think its pathetic. I so agree with her comment. People should be ashamed they have to get assistance not be proud of it! My God my parents would never think that was something to be proud of. Sitting around day and nite, eating the food the government bought you and your mind rotting away to nothing. Spoiled little americans, get your [censor] off the couch and DO SOMETHING.

Food stamps to these people are nothing.
It's free money to these people that can abolutely work!
They are healthy living people with a family and can speak correct english to get there [censor] off the couch and work.
But they don't.. why you ask? because they know they already get free money from the government.
And here we are working 40-80 hours a week to give away money to these disturbing people?
Can something be done here? Because I didn't go to school and find a job and work to support my family and to support the government to give away my benefits and my money to people that can be working just as hard.
Food stamps/EBT should be given out to people who are in disabilty, unemployment process, etc, not to people who can work!
Something has to be done. Food stamps should be all cut off or given to certain people.

I couldn't help signing up on this website to say this: I am 21 years old, in college and work at academy. Not the best job but the economy sucks and so does our president. So any ways..I have a one year old, Abel, and his father does not pay child support and not a penny since he was born. I have been on the "system" about it but they just can't seem to find him even though i told them a countless amount of times that he is in the military which SHOULD make it easier to find him, but i guess not. Ok so, here is my point! I am on food stamps and so I know the system better than the bystanders and you may be surprised to know that I totally agree with the complaint! It is very true that people march into the food stamp offices with their iphones and platinum gold jewelry (and teeth may I add) and are allowed to go in the "emergency foodstamp line" because they do not have a JOB. So the people that are well able to work but just don't, have the privilege of going before the working people. What the system should do is to set boundaries and rules. When someone is jobless, the case workers do not ask why and they don't seem to even care, they just up your food stamps by a few hundred dollars! They should allow ONLY food to be purchased with it, and like wic they should show the foods you cannot buy or at least put a limit on how much candy you buy etc. Also they need to give us a certain amount of time to find a job and not just allow people to go on and on and on jobless with 5 kids or even one kid! There should be mandatory check ups and maybe even proof that the jobless people did apply at least one place a day or even a week! Or SOMETHING!? If they really do need the food stamps they would not mind abiding by these rules. I know I wouldn't.

I am on both sides. I DO have EBT, and have since I got laid off for not being able come back to work after having my baby girl. My husband is working, and PAYING his taxes. We have one nice car and one beater. We had the nice one since before when i was working a ton of hours and paid it with cash. Now its worth a ton less than when we bought it, and we cant afford to let my daughter ride in anything that if we sold it to get money, we could replace it. Does that mean i should feel bad for riding pretty? No, its safe and gas effecent. I have sold half my wardrobe, and consign her clothes as they become too small, and buy used. SHould i buy crap clothes because it makes people uncomfortable i got my designer outfit for less than they paid for a shirt? No. Should i feel bad because my very sweet parents worry about me and got me a FREE nice phone and i pay them the whole $5 a month to have it so we can be safe? nope! On the aspect of WHAT you should buy, I do think there should be more tighter rules, but only when it comes to certain things. I do believe cooking sherry, energy drinks, ect should not be acceptable and its NOT. It is TANIF or whatever you call it in your state that is also on the EBT card. In my state at lest you can not buy hot food, liquor, energy drinks, ect.
I do think alot (not majority) cheat. I have seen it, and hate it. BUT what is the government going to do. They cant "big brother" us and this isnt a perfect world. It would cost them more to watch over and make sure every bite goes in our mouth and we arent spending a penny on non-necessities.
I have a friend that works part time (all she can find) has a hungry toddler, and only gets $100 a month. She has to eat the junk thats a dollar a pop, and feed her daughter the good stuff. I do "cheat" my card a little by having her babysit for an hour a week to go and buy her necessities (she wont take for free so she straightens my house and watches the kids, but i would do it anyway). I budget my card enough to help her out, and others think its "cheating". I have even been told by a family member that she was "paying my childcare" People dont look into the eyes of someone just wanting to feed their family, and help them. They look at their cart and say, "just another abuser"
Why dont we spend more time finding ways to lower the price of healthy food? maybe a few more ppl will be healthier, and a little less criticism from bystanders.

wow S#!T
u r what ur name implies . let see if we can get anymore racist! get a different job if u dont like it loser

How much can u people talk junk about something you have no control of, the fact of the matter is there are good people and bad people, some people abuse the goverments help not that its that helpful or anything. I am a single mom my son is 7 this is the first time in 7 yrs i needed help. I dont abuse it but people who judge what other people are buying with their bridge card really need a life my god, dont u have anything better to worry about. all i see on here is racists a bunch of idiots with nothing else to to do. there are rapist, pedophiles, murderers and so on. And if you want to complain about this dont bring race gender or peoples fat [censor] kids into it how dare you. Those are children that have no choice how they are raised or who their parents are. what a piece of work some of you are.

My goodness! The ignorance of some of you people is UNREAL! I am SURE there are those out there who do abuse the system. It's true that everyone has an opinion but everyone also has their own story. It is WRONG it judge others using EBT on what they are wearing, driving or how many kids they have.

My husband was recently laid off because the government cutting contractor jobs. He is a veteran and has served his country in 2 tours to fight for your complaining a$$es. I am a full-time student and Mom of four small children, aged 5 and under. With no income coming in and rent we still have to pay...YES, we applied for Food stamps and got an EBT card.

When my husband was working he was making decent money giving us the ability to buy nicer things. So now that he lost his job, does that mean we need to sell our car and clothes...NO! The DSS gives EBT allowances based on your current income. You don't tell them how much you need. The money is put on the card and is there until you use it. So are you telling me if there was enough on a card to feed your family well...you wouldn't use it? If there is enough money on someone's card to buy crab legs, who cares, it's really none of your business. We have both paid taxes for years and WILL find other jobs and will go off of food assistance soon enough.

I shouldn't feel ashamed of using EBT benefits to feed my family WHATEVER I want. However, it's judgmental egotistical people like some in this forum that make those who need help feel like crap. We are human beings, people, lets have a little empathy for one another. I hope, for your sake, you never have the unfortunate situation of having to use these benefits and have nasty spirited people like you judge you. God is the ultimate judge and he is the one you will have to stand before one day and explain your disgusting behavior toward people. That includes those who are racist AND those who judge those in need. GROW UP and worry about yourselves!

Who cares about this food stamp and ebt talk. I'm sure the lack of luxury in there lives provokes them to buy a little junk food here and there. Besides i don't think a person who works at a "grocery store" has any merit to judge a person on their financial situation. World would be a better place if we didn't get too distracted on little things like this. If you seriously did the math, $200 of that government expenditure doesn't really effect anyone, tax allocation on wars, prisoners having a bigger budget than students are more serious complaints. So for the person who started this topic, direct your attention to something more meaningful. The rich man studies every entrance and exit of every penny, the poor don't. Leave it at that.

@youth I wasn't referring to you, so before u get into your "youthful" [censor] fit do YOUR research first before getting "hostile" I don't give a [censor] what u have to say which is why I got extremely bored reading half of the stuff you wrote. You reffered about billions being allotted, The taxes coming out of your little salary that's paying for your community college probably isn't going to welfare. So why put yourself into the argument? If anything I respect any kind of proffession a person does to make a living. So to sum it up, my comment was referring to someone on the second page bashing someone utilizing food stamps. So quit being the "defender of the people" and making it sound like your including everyone on "your" side. This is the first time I been on this site, so whatever reply u wish to throw back, don't expect me to come back and read it or even give a [censor]. I'm not looking to debate on food stamps. Good luck with your future and wish u success.