Food Stamps

cokewithvanilla

Ok guys, I'm gonna go on a bit of a rant...so..

Anyhow, I was walking into the grocery store and someone approached me and said that he will buy my groceries with his food stamps if I pay him cash.

I've heard about this before when some guy was trying to sell a $500 food stamp card, but I've never seen it in practice. I just can't believe we have such stupid social programs that are so obviously flawed. If he doesn't need to be buying food with the food stamps, he doesn't need the money

It's amazing, all you tax payers are paying for this guys drugs, alcohol, rims, tv's, ect. Why are they allowed to buy any food item they want with the card? shouldn't it be restricted so he can't be buying prime rib every night (for himself and others)? Doesn't anyone monitor this program at all? perhaps if the guy buys $400 of food on 20 separate receipts from one store in one day, something might be up.

Social programs should be much more strict. I would volunteer to be a welfare inspector, providing they let me take these privileges away from people who abuse it.

Sherardp

Don't complain about, just do it. I've had this happen, exchange 100 bucks cash for 200 bucks of food stamps. Why complain about it? You just saved money. My point is people do this all the time, regardless if it's right or wrong you can't fix it. People screw and play the system all the time, next time give the guy/gal your grocery list and enjoy the savings.

obieone

I'd have put a cap in his ****$, taken the stamp card, maxed out the buying of it, and turned around and donated the food to assorted charities, i.e. Salvation Army, local food banks/ soup kitchens, and 'militarycarepackages.net'.

One less loser in the world, and several legitimate organizations are benfitted. Win/ win to me.

messiah

Sherardp wrote: »

Don't complain about, just do it. I've had this happen, exchange 100 bucks cash for 200 bucks of food stamps. Why complain about it? You just saved money. My point is people do this all the time, regardless if it's right or wrong you can't fix it. People screw and play the system all the time, next time give the guy/gal your grocery list and enjoy the savings.

Hell yeah, free grub!! :biggrin:

I actually had a girl in Borders come up to me and offered me her Borders gift card with over 600 bucks on it for 200 cash. She was in tears and said that it was for her school books, and borders didn't have the ones she needed. Whether that was true or not, I basically got 400 bucks worth of free books music and movies right there on the spot. She was happy and so was I. She also didn't look all strung out though. Who knows why this guy needed the money. You assume drugs, but maybe he needed a part to fix his car so he could get a job, or a haircut or... you get the point (maybe).

mrbiron

You assume drugs, but maybe he needed a part to fix his car so he could get a job, or a haircut or... you get the point (maybe).

HAHA....you're funny :biggrin::biggrin:

bobman1235

I saw a woman the other day use a "food stamps" card and then go to the parking lot and get into a late model Lexus. The system couldn't be more flawed, but if you speak up against it in any way you're just cold-hearted.

punk-roc

Not cold-hearted, just stating that you might be choosing not to focus on the vast majority of people who use the system properly and truly need the help..

Its easy to get mad at outliers.. but thats exactly what they are, outliers.

messiah

bobman1235 wrote: »

I saw a woman the other day use a "food stamps" card and then go to the parking lot and get into a late model Lexus. The system couldn't be more flawed, but if you speak up against it in any way you're just cold-hearted.

Yep, someone always will scam the system. I'd like to see a complete reworking of the system. No more of these "handouts for life".

bobman1235

punk-roc wrote: »

Not cold-hearted, just stating that you might be choosing not to focus on the vast majority of people who use the system properly and truly need the help..

Its easy to get mad at outliers.. but thats exactly what they are, outliers.

In order for a system to work well, shouldn't that be what you focus on? Otherwise those who truly need the help aren't getting as much of it as they could.

Once you put together a car, do you focus on the perfectly running engine, or the wheel that flies off on the highway?

punk-roc

false analogy.. if a small percentage of people game the system, the entire system isn't ruined..

a better analogy is the perfect engine and improperly inflated tires.. causing decreased fuel efficiency... not car wrecks..

Jason

heiney9

cokewithvanilla wrote: »

Ok guys, I'm gonna go on a bit of a rant...so..

Why are they allowed to buy any food item they want with the card? shouldn't it be restricted so he can't be buying prime rib every night (for himself and others)? Doesn't anyone monitor this program at all?

Social programs should be much more strict. I would volunteer to be a welfare inspector, providing they let me take these privileges away from people who abuse it.

People on food stamps aren't allowed to buy anything they want :rolleyes: But it is ridiculous what they have to buy with the food stamps sometimes. I have a single mom friend of mine who gets assistance and she is always giving me some of surplus food as well as donating some of it to the local food pantry.

It's just her and her daughter and they give her like 8 gallons of milk a month, 4 boxes of Cheerios, 2 jars of p-nut butter, 6doz eggs, etc, etc, etc. She can't possibly eat all that food in a month!!! Who eats 2 large jars of p-butter in 30 days or 6 doz eggs in a month?

So no, they can't buy just anything and yes, the program needs better administration because a larger family on aid can certainly use the excess food my friend is allowed. Many times items she is allowed, go unpurchased and are wasted, when someone else less fortunate might be able to use those food vouchers.

H9

dkg999

I would be happy if food was so expensive you'all needed food stamps to be able to afford to eat. I would then retire happily to the farm!

bobman1235

punk-roc wrote: »

false analogy.. if a small percentage of people game the system, the entire system isn't ruined..

a better analogy is the perfect engine and improperly inflated tires.. causing decreased fuel efficiency... not car wrecks..

I'd put it somewhere in between. The whole system might not be ruined, but it's certainly more damaged than what you seem to think.

You're exactly the kind of person I'm talking about. I voice my displeasure at people gaming the system, and you immediately jump to the conclusion taht I don't want to help the disadvantaged. I realize that people need help, and that one of the main functions of a civilized society is to help those people. But I also believe that the abuses of the system are FAR more widespread than you seem to think, and that they are far more damaging to the system than you seem to think. Downplaying them as minuscule or unimportant or just "the cost of doing business" simply lets the system spiral further and further into disarray.

leroyjr1

bobman1235 wrote: »

I saw a woman the other day use a "food stamps" card and then go to the parking lot and get into a late model Lexus. The system couldn't be more flawed, but if you speak up against it in any way you're just cold-hearted.

Maybe it wasn't her car.

punk-roc

lol.. I never said you were cold-hearted, merely posing hyperbolic, irrational arguments

Jason

dcmartinpc

Here's my stance... None of us could really know if it was her car.... None of knows how many people she is feeding... So in that regard, there needs to be some inspection as was mentioned. If things are being checked out, then that solves those problems. The issue I take, is when I see someone paying with a food stamp card, and they are wearing high dollar clothes, expensive shoes, expensive everything, clothes I could never afford. And I do fairly well for myself. When I see the government housing in our area and there are consistently New Escalades sitting out front on 24" spinners, I begin to think SOMEONE is abusing the system quite regularly. I see this happen quite regularly in my area. So it is not an isolated incident. I don't know, I guess they might not be their clothes.....

I know people legitimately need help, and I want to make sure the people that do get it. It just seems there is little to no policing of the money that is basically handed out. If they OWN and are driving a Lexus or Escalade, the money is coming from somewhere, and they are definitely not reporting it... You would think a $30,000 or $40,000 vehicle registered in their name would raise a white flag.


Don

zombie boy 2000

I'm just curious as to why anytime someone starts complaining about this topic, they invariably mention things like "Escalades, 24" spinners and expensive sneakers"?

Not trying to pull the race card into this, but it makes me a tad uncomfortable.

TECHNOKID

Sherardp wrote: »

Don't complain about, just do it. I've had this happen, exchange 100 bucks cash for 200 bucks of food stamps. Why complain about it? You just saved money. My point is people do this all the time, regardless if it's right or wrong you can't fix it. People screw and play the system all the time, next time give the guy/gal your grocery list and enjoy the savings.

How about integrity :rolleyes:

Face

Well you're too sensitive, because none of those things have anything to do with race.

dcmartinpc

Has nothing to do with race! I love everybody! I did mention Lexus also.... Just to be clear...

In my neighborhood, that is what I see... It is merely the folks that live around me. I know plenty of people that have escalades with 24" spinners that are of many different colors. The people, not the escalades And some of them are my friends, but they are not on food stamps and that is how they chose to spend their money that they worked hard for! Good for them!

It is just hard to watch anyone of any color, race, religion, pick your poison, abusing the system. That is my only point. Anyone abusing the system, cheating, using the money for an unintended purpose, should be checked on. That is all.

The real shame, is that people feel the need to abuse the system. The complete lack of integrity in our society as a whole is rather disturbing.

Don

cstmar01

heiney9 wrote: »

It's just her and her daughter and they give her like 8 gallons of milk a month, 4 boxes of Cheerios, 2 jars of p-nut butter, 6doz eggs, etc, etc, etc. She can't possibly eat all that food in a month!!! Who eats 2 large jars of p-butter in 30 days or 6 doz eggs in a month?

H9

easy a body builder does. Normally just egg whites though that you get in a gallon jar with a pump action top to make it easy to mix into your shakes that you have the p-nut butter in. And no I'm not joking...

Back long long ago in HS I worked in a grocery store and saw the things people would buy with the EBT cards. There are limits and no they are not all buying prime rib every night because if they did then they would run out of money on the card and not eat for the rest of the month. I do agree though with Brock said, there was other programs like WICC that allows like a ton of juice etc to be purchased, like honestly a single mom and kid got like 5-8 gallons of juice a WEEK. Not counting anything else they would be drinking but thats a lot of juice, and she would commonly even complain about how they were giving her too much but if she didn't take it or use it or something she would then lose it, so she would commonly get what she had to but then would go donate what she didn't think she would use because she didn't like the idea of wasting it.

zombie boy 2000

Trust me. My skin is as thick as they come. I just think you're kidding yourself if you think certain caricatures aren't portrayed more often than not when describing those who abuse the system. Not pointing fingers, but it's pretty obvious.

Anyway... no good can come out of me pointing that out, so I'll leave it alone.

dudeinaroom

cokewithvanilla wrote: »

Ok guys, I'm gonna go on a bit of a rant...so..

Anyhow, I was walking into the grocery store and someone approached me and said that he will buy my groceries with his food stamps if I pay him cash.

I've heard about this before when some guy was trying to sell a $500 food stamp card, but I've never seen it in practice. I just can't believe we have such stupid social programs that are so obviously flawed. If he doesn't need to be buying food with the food stamps, he doesn't need the money

It's amazing, all you tax payers are paying for this guys drugs, alcohol, rims, tv's, ect. Why are they allowed to buy any food item they want with the card? shouldn't it be restricted so he can't be buying prime rib every night (for himself and others)? Doesn't anyone monitor this program at all? perhaps if the guy buys $400 of food on 20 separate receipts from one store in one day, something might be up.

Social programs should be much more strict. I would volunteer to be a welfare inspector, providing they let me take these privileges away from people who abuse it.

I will agree the system is broken. I think they should do a better case by case evaluation, and ask the person what they spend in a month on food before they are approved. I think they should make you take a class to teach people find bargains, and use coupons. If you break it down, you basically get right around $5/day/person. I also think they should limit the amount of junk/processed food you can buy (it can be done, they do it with the wic system). Teach people how to cook, and how to eat right. The funny thing is the cash assistance program is flawed too, but it's the opposite direction. When you need it, it's hard to get, and when you don't there is no problem. They take into account bank account, assets, insurance policies (you can cash them out for money) pending settlements, income, how many vehicle you have, properties you own for expendable cash. But when they figure your needs they take into account rent, heating/electric, water, garbage, cooking fuel, phone, on going medical expensive. But do not consider gas, car insurance, cleaning items, toiletries, baby care items, clothing needs just to name a few. I can understand not considering transportation in areas that have decent public transportation, but in rural areas like where I live the local busing system stops a 6 o'clock and you might have to take a ride that is 2 hours before you have to be to work, and wait 3 hours for your ride home (I know someone in this situation right now).

obieone wrote: »

I'd have put a cap in his ****$, taken the stamp card, maxed out the buying of it, and turned around and donated the food to assorted charities, i.e. Salvation Army, local food banks/ soup kitchens, and 'militarycarepackages.net'.

One less loser in the world, and several legitimate organizations are benfitted. Win/ win to me.

Nice. I guess I should just go shoot my self and save all of you my troubles.

Sherardp wrote: »

Don't complain about, just do it. I've had this happen, exchange 100 bucks cash for 200 bucks of food stamps. Why complain about it? You just saved money. My point is people do this all the time, regardless if it's right or wrong you can't fix it. People screw and play the system all the time, next time give the guy/gal your grocery list and enjoy the savings.

At least ask the person why they need the money.

punk-roc wrote: »

Not cold-hearted, just stating that you might be choosing not to focus on the vast majority of people who use the system properly and truly need the help..

Its easy to get mad at outliers.. but thats exactly what they are, outliers.

There are many people who do use the system right (raises hand). But there are times when you need a little help, and I can be totally epithetic right now. I'd gladly give the state back 1/3 of what I get if they would give me back 1/2 of that 1/3 for bills. The system is really messed up, they'll give you a grand a month for food, but forget about help with gas so you can get back an fourth to your job. I guess they think as long as you have food, you don't need a job.

Jeff_J

messiah wrote: »

I'd like to see a complete reworking of the system. No more of these "handouts for life".

Same goes for those on the 'other side of the coin' then as well. There's no reason Billionaires should keep receiving their absurdly disproportionate Bush tax cuts every year so that they may splurge on quarter million dollar Patek watches, luxury yachts, Veyrons, and G5s.

cstmar01

Who does G5's anymore? Dude thats so totally 90's I'm riding fly in my G6..

in my G6, in my G6

Grimster74

On a different rant about food stamps. When people like my wife and I which are both unemployed and collecting unemployment checks file for food stamps we are told after receiving food stamps for two months, we get a letter stating that we make to much money on unemployment only to have our food stamps taken away from us. It's the people or families like my wife and I that have kids and could really use the help that get denied. Been working everyday of my life up until the last year, paying taxes like hell all my life and can't get any help, go figure. Hell, they even took my kids medicare insurance away cause they said we made to much on unemployment. So we are considered a uninsured hungry family.:biggrin:

mrbiron

I know a ______bag (you fill in the space, there are tons of right answers) that is 20 years old on a government program. She gets $800 a month for food......shes single......let me write that again "$800 a month!!!!":eek::eek::eek:

She takes her family grocery shopping every week and heres the kicker...she still lives at home with mommy and daddy!!!!

wth!

Jeff_J

cstmar01 wrote: »

Who does G5's anymore? Dude thats so totally 90's I'm riding fly in my G6..

in my G6, in my G6

"I'm talking... G5, Playa! That's how you can roll. No more frequent flyer **** miles for my boy!"

"Swingin' past the knees playa!" :biggrin:

bobman1235

punk-roc wrote: »

lol.. I never said you were cold-hearted, merely posing hyperbolic, irrational arguments

My metaphor may have been hyperbolic, but irrational? You're jsut trying to discredit things I say by overreacting. Die in a fire.

leroyjr1 wrote: »

Maybe it wasn't her car.

Maybe. I used to see a lot more of this when I lived in the city (as opposed to New Hampshire). A good percentage of people would be using their food stamp cards (and they do limit what you can buy with them,b ecause often these people would separate their groceries and make two purchases - one for food stamp items and one for not). And a surprising number would be talking on nice cell phones, or taking things out of designer bags. I could be like Jason up there and ignore these things or pretend they are in a minority, but if you see it enough times it begins to wear on you.

Personally, asking for help would be a last resort, after I sold all of my unnecessary luxury items, tried to get jobs I would have previously considered "below" me, etc. So yeah, seeing someone with a Gucci purse or whatever, talking on their iPhone, and using government funds? It is annoying. And I see it often enough that I have to believe it's not as "in the minority" as you claim.

dcmartinpc

Grimster74 wrote: »

On a different rant about food stamps. When people like my wife and I which are both unemployed and collecting unemployment checks file for food stamps we are told after receiving food stamps for two months, we get a letter stating that we make to much money on unemployment only to have our food stamps taken away from us. It's the people or families like my wife and I that have kids and could really use the help that get denied. Been working everyday of my life up until the last year, paying taxes like hell all my life and can't get any help, go figure. Hell, they even took my kids medicare insurance away cause they said we made to much on unemployment. So we are considered a uninsured hungry family.:biggrin:

I have been there. I know what it feels like to be on that side of things. Several years ago, thankfully before we had children, my wife and I had a total of $8,000 combined gross income. We applied for section 8 housing and were told their was a 2 year waiting list. We applied for food stamps and were denied. The ONLY help we got was on our gas and electric bill. To see people abuse it really burns me up because we COULDN'T get help when we needed it. We were WELL below the poverty line and got nothing... I'm with you Grim!


On a side note, You want to know what I was a driving, a 1984 Chevy Caprice!

Don

cristo

Our neighbor is a manager for WIC (Women Infant Children).
Occasionally they find a client selling infant formula they received from them on Craig's List.
That gets them expelled from the program.
You have to draw the line somewhere, and fraud or misuse is usually a good place.