Food Stamps or formally called food stamps, hear about the new revisions...

[tantricia44]

The new changes on people receivin food stamps have alot people benefiting frm the program r really upset a/o it.I would too,if I was receivin the benefit,only1difference,I wouldn't abuse it like so many have.Many, yrs ago,I did try 4the food stamp application &was rejected!Reason was,I wasn't too rich & I wasn't POOR ENOUGH or BROWN ENOUGH to pass!I had a 2yr scholarship,working to put food on the table &other needs but 1day my resentment toward those gettin this benefit exploded into almost pure rage.In the market,I was @the purchase line,my cart lined w/alot of dollar products like Chinese soups,bread,small peanut butter spread,or jelly,& diet coke.I was happy that,I actually had some monies 2buy basic groc. but somethin caught my eye.A young black girl in front of me, had large rolls of food stamps clutched tightly in her well manicured, littered by large shiny diamond rings. She was clothed in tight leather from had to toe,big sun glasses on top of her snobby nose, & at her feet she wore long sleek, leather boots going all the way up to her knees. What totally pissed me off the most, she was young, she looked healthy, no noticeable mental, or physical disabilities.Yet this girl is living off uncle sam & tax payers' monies & she obviously don't qualify for it! I glanced at her cart, it was piled high to the top w/steaks,sea foods,ribs,etc. I looked at my sad basket & just left! So, I'm so happy that changes on this is being stressed. Why give some1 free monies when, they'll just blow it & spend it on anything but what it's for. I was shocked when the news stated that these people would use food stamps,for drugs,sex,fashion,cars, etc the tax payers was only supporting their addictions rather then help. I say Yes for this change & about the candies.Sorry they'll have to just adjust to the situation. Anyway, It would be a big help in keeping the children away from sweets;the top news today is that children are over weight, developing illness like diabetes. A condition that never happened to kids, in the past & usually happens around late 30's & 40's. So, is this a good solutions?

[Abrupt]

I was in a similar situation as you when I used to do volunteer work building houses for the needy and one of these needy pulled up one time in a much nicer car than me and wearing much nicer clothes and also adorned in jewelry and well manicured.  Now I may have had more money in that bank than he did but I had no jewelry, sensible clothing only, and a cheap digital watch and a beater of a car.  I don't know the answer but I guess we must assume that people will generally take advantage of anything that allows for it and if we allow for programs to be discretionary or based strictly on input of the person making the request then we can assume at least 75 percent of the times these programs will be taken advantage of.

Personally I would prefer to keep those portions of my taxes and be allowed to personally give it to whoever I thought most needed it or at least be able to designate it this way electronically using a computer to look up local people/organizations and indicating that way.  I know some people really need the help but I know that so many abuse it that it can create animosity for those that really need it.

[mc1962]

It is hard to judge a book by its cover but I hate to see people taking advantage of the system, it is a waste of resources and takes away from people that really need the help.

[kay7]

Clearly, government-run programs lend themselves to abuse and fraud.  You would think that they could come up with better ways to check for both but apparently, that's not a priority 

[vickysue]

It really sucks. We as taxpayers work our bu##ts, And they get it all. Things have got to change. I have watched from the parking lot and have seen them go out and trade their steaks and high price food to others for beer and hard liquior. What is wrong with this picture. Also been in line to check out and watch them give the checkouts a rough time of it because they have to pay and extra couple of bucks on the reciepts. Make the clerk ring it up 3 or 4 times because of whatever it was that was not being paid for with their ebt cards. Needless to say i opened my big mouth. Thank to my being friends with the owner i didn't get busted in the chops. They should all have to be drug tested. Also only be able to draw just enough to cover basic needs, just like the working folks.   

[duroz]

Here's another story to be a "burr under your saddles".
In my state/area:
When people qualify for, and receive (home heating) fuel assistance, the money to pay for their fuel is given to the company they have deliver it.
SO....at the end of the year, if there is "fuel money" still left in the person(s) account, you WOULD ASSUME that money would GO BACK to the agency that provides the fuel assistance program and funds, RIGHT?

WRONG!! The money is GIVEN TO the person(s) whose account still had that "fuel money" left in it, and they can SPEND IT ON WHATEVER they want...ANYTHING at all.  

What the heck kind of sense does this make??? Why doesn't it go back to the agency to be there for the fuel assistance program funding for next year?
Especially irritating when there are people who really COULD use some help with their fuel bills, but don't qualify, per income guidelines, to receive fuel assistance.

  I just don't get this at all.    

[Garydh]

Well it is run by the government. If you don't see why it would be so simple to give the remaining money back to the agency providing the fuel for use again, but goes direct to those receiving the fuel subsistance to spend any way they want,... you have to ask yourself why. Well follow the money, politicians wrote it, and I gurantee there is some politician(s), out there that know what the loop hole is and how to make money from it, either for themselves or their friends and (more votes). 

[bessie1111]

All that government assistance needs to go to training and teaching people how to make a living instead of handouts.  

"You give a person a fish, and they are fed for a day.  You teach a person how to fish, and they are fed for a lifetime."

[animikokala]

All that government assistance needs to go to training and teaching people how to make a living instead of handouts.  

"You give a person a fish, and they are fed for a day.  You teach a person how to fish, and they are fed for a lifetime."

Ah but remember that you have to pay for the right to fish nowadays, along with the right to hunt.    And there's already a ton of people in this country who are without jobs that already have training.  Perhaps the government should focus on forcing US corporations to keep their jobs here instead of allowing them to send them out of the country.  Then they could focus on job training.

I for one am grateful for food stamps; they made my childhood better, since my father has been disabled since he was 18 and my mother never paid a cent of child support.  We may have gotten good will clothes and less of the newest and hottest toys than our classmates, but my dad always made sure we were fed.  
I agree that the system is messed up; my stepmother got a raise that would amount to $100 more a month (before taxes).  That resulted in her losing $200 a month in food stamps.  

With that said, I do agree that they should revamp the system.  I'd even be willing to agree to requiring bank statements and bills as proof of financial need.  I have to give my bank account information for financial aid for school; why shouldn't those who get aid for living have to do the same?  

[habby82]

Well first off i get an EBT card for my son he s 2years old my mom has been disabled since i was a little  girl she gets ssi and an EBT CARD.but what im trying to get at is  yes thier are people out thier that do not diserve to have help from we the people and the government.my problem i had my child as a teenager and i can notfind a job still to this day thats why im trying to earn money doing syrveys. i donot lke getting help from people but how am i suppose to support my child and my self with the way life is going. I do not take advantage of the system i only recieve health care for my son and an ebt card i do not get a check they willl not give me one chick i uderstand where your coming from i went through the same thing it's hard out her escpecially living on yor own since i was 11 years old i've been through alot of hard times but its not worth mumbu jumbilan over.what i'm saying is i do not take advantage of anything or anybody because i know what its like not to have anything and not be able to ge clothes and all you know.soon no one will be able to get help because of the eople who do take advantage of the sysem.

[veronica773]

So many people abuse the system and when there are people that really need the assistance like senior citizens.  I think the government could handled it better, because once someone is put on food stamps or assistance they are on it for life.  The government needs to have a followup plan where they check on the people getting the aid.

When people are able to work let them work, don't give them a reason not to work and be lazy.

[queenofnines]

If you can afford to buy Diet Coke, I think you are doing just fine.  Stop griping about not being allowed to mooch of the system and making assumptions about strangers' situations.

[Abrupt]

Also, remember, this "free" government aid isn't free at all but instead comes from putting chains on the rest of us till we work enough to pay for it.

[duroz]

If you can afford to buy Diet Coke, I think you are doing just fine.  Stop griping about not being allowed to mooch of the system and making assumptions about strangers' situations.

  Good points - both of them.

[CharmedPhoenix]

Wow! 

I'm not a Bible thumper but:  "Judge not lest ye be judged."

Being broke is a full time job.  You have to jump through hoops, if you know where to find them.  I'm on EBT/SNAP and I have to provide copies of all my bills and proof of income twice a year.  I don't get cash because I don't have kids.  The system doesn't even help you get basic necessities like toilet paper and tooth paste.  Do you know how that feels?!  When you ask around to find help they send you to the food pantry or give you an outdated list of phone numbers.  I live in a small town, in a rural county and don't have a car.  To get any kind of housing help or job counseling I have to go to one of the bigger cities in the neighboring counties.

I used to work in aerospace, but I don't have a degree.  Today the employers want people with degrees, certified training or three years experience in the specific job that they're offering.  The job I did was the only place of it's kind in the region and now it's closed.  I have other training, but it's obsolete now.  I did caregiving until I got injured, but no one's hiring my skill set and experience today.  If I didn't get help I'd be living in a cardboard box or six feet under.

Does being on assistance mean I can't wear descent clothes if I have them?  I don't have a clothing budget so soon I might have to wear my good clothes for everyday.

Does being on assistance mean I can't drive a friend's nice car if they offer it because some of you might be offended?

Does being on EBT mean I can't buy an occasional treat or good meat because someone else can't figure out how to eat healthy on a budget?

What have you done to fix the system or help someone stand on their own two feet?  Don't wait around for the "other guy" to do something while you complain.  We're all in this together.  Take positive action.  Volunteer to teach someone a skill you have that they need.  Volunteer to take someone with you when you're going somewhere they need to go.  Donate your used goods instead of throwing them into the landfills.  Use your energy to become part of the solution instead of adding to the problem with your rants, please.