Posted on 01/12/2014 5:29:30 PM PST by massmike
Maine’s welfare money that was intended to be spent on necessities like food is instead being used for lavish vacations in Hawaii and Florida by some of its recipients.
Department of Health and Human Service records shows that $2.8 million have been spent by welfare users outside of the state. Although half of this amount was spent in neighboring New Hampshire, some questionable uses of EBT money include a $500 EBT card withdrawal at a Disney World resort in August 2011. Maine welfare recipients also used EBT money in Florida included withdrawals at the Kennedy Space Center in Orlando and various spots around Daytona Beach.
Maine welfare cash has turned up in all 50 U.S. states, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. However, they aren’t the only state that has this problem. More than $69 million in California welfare cash was spent or withdrawn outside of the state between 2007 and 2010, with Las Vegas receiving approximately $11.8 million of this amount. Welfare cash withdrawals have also been traced to various strip clubs and casinos in Kansas and Washington.
Angry taxpayers are pushing for the welfare recipients who took these vacations to be removed from the system, arguing that they don’t need to be on welfare if they can afford to go to Hawaii or Florida. Some states have also adopted certain preventative measure by disallowing EBT transactions at liquor stores, casinos and other questionable locations.
I thought this would be about Obama and Moochelle’s vacation.
Well, the Obamas went to Hawaii on the taxpayers’ dime, didn’t they?
When I saw the headline I thought I would be reading about the Obama’s recent vacation.
About the same here between Mooochelle and EBT Hawaiian vacationers.
I’m surprised the article did not address the punishment meted out to these criminals.
Turn off the WH EBT card
Poor people are so lucky. I would love to go to Hawaii, but that’s just not in the cards for me: I have a job.
I just can't quite wrap my head around spending your Maine EBT money at a Kansas strip club.
It’s time to institute a system where the government only hands out the basics (staple foods, basic clothing like you’d find at Goodwill or Salvation Army, hygiene items, and similar items) and get away from handing out cash or the equivalent. And receipt of benefits must be predicated on successful passing of a drug test.
EBT cards can be used only at approved grocery store locations for a approved list of food purchases...
Staples, bread, milk, juice, produce, meat, grain based foods, vegetables...
No snacks, soda, chips, ice cream etc....
Yeah..I know the poor have a constitutional right to eat cheetos and chocolate chip mint ice cream while sucking down a Diet Coke.../ S
“The best way to get people out of poverty is to make them uncomfortable in it.” or however that saying goes...
Bring back WW2 ration coupons??
Government food aid should come in the form of 3 MREs per person per day. If its good enough for some 18 year old grunt in Khandahar, it’s good enough for the poor.
They should be referred to by their proper name...”Taxpayer gift cards”
soup kitchens. reopen them. more jobs and no possibility for these shenanigans
I went to Hawaii on vacation: FIFTEEN years ago on my honeymoon! Unfortunately I can’t get Air Force 1 to stop by my local airport to pick me up.
I would suggest a very limited list like: rice, beans, flour, corn meal, oats, cereal, crackers, sugar, salt, fruits, vegetables, peanut butter, soups, tuna fish, powdered milk, drink mixes, water and similar items that you would need for survival.
If they wanted anything else, they would have to pay for it (what a concept) or do without.
OMG, who they think they are, the Obamas, the biggest welfare recipients of all?
Until they change the rules, I say the government doesn’t have a say in how the money is spent. I don’t even think this will make the Congresscritters change anything. I think they should tighten the rules to welfare recipients only being allowed to shoo at Walwart. But only allow for certain items especially food. No sweets or goodies. As far as other items, only necessities. Welfare must get controlled and I believe this is the only way to do it. Plus it will make liberals explode knowing that Walmart is the only place to go.
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