Posted on 12/07/2016 6:24:24 AM PST by raccoonradio
Massachusetts’ EBT card holders are spending welfare cash in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, while patronizing or at least accessing ATMs in liquor and tobacco stores, beauty salons and tattoo parlors.
In response to my public records request, the state’s Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) turned over 18 months of EBT records from Jan. 1, 2015, to July 1, 2016.
In all, the taxpayers shelled out $321 million in Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) to welfare recipients.
In the 18-month period, more than $7.3 million in Bay State welfare funds were spent outside the state, including $2.4 million in New Hampshire, $780,000 in Connecticut and $549,000 in the Sunshine State of Florida.
In that period, Mass. EBT cards were also used 1,335 times in Puerto Rico to access more than $110,000 in welfare cash.
State Rep. Shaunna O’Connell (R-Taunton) has long campaigned in the Legislature against welfare fraud and abuse.
“I continue to advocate for an end to out-of-state usage and to limit cash access,” she said. “Taxpayer-funded EBT cards should not be paying for vacations. The state should revoke cards used out of state.”
Another $134,000 in welfare cash was accessed in the cities and towns around Walt Disney World in Florida, more than $11,000 in Las Vegas and another $2,289 in Hawaii.
Welfare recipients also accessed $2,054 in Atlantic City, N.J., and another $2,144 in Uncasville, Conn., home of the Mohegan Sun casino, including $600 accessed at 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd.
TANF benefits, which are basically cash, are supposed to go only to the state’s neediest residents. The program was formerly known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC).
EBT cards also provide money from a different fund, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), which used to be known as food stamps.
Eligibility for TANF benefits enables a recipient to access a number of other welfare programs, including Mass Health.
The records provided by the DTA do not differentiate between actual spending at the businesses, or whether those on the dole just accessed ATMs at the addresses.
In the 18-month period, state welfare recipients accessed nearly $100,000 at liquor stores across New England. At one liquor store in Lawrence, there were three separate $500 withdrawals on a single day in January 2015.
Welfare recipients accessed $7,800 at a liquor store in Springfield, $7,706 at one in Lakeville and $6,586 at another package store in Fall River.
State law prohibits those on the dole from squandering their handouts on alcohol, tobacco or tattoos. Spending on pet food is allowed; welfare recipients accessed over $2,200 at various pet stores over the 18-month period.
In response to an inquiry, the DTA said that if the agency suspects welfare cash is being spent on prohibited items, a “site inspection” is conducted.
“If an establishment is determined to be predominantly an establishment which sells liquor or other prohibited items,” a DTA spokesman said in an email, “DTA will block EBT transactions from being accepted through their (point of sale) system and/or any ATM on their premises.”
The spokesman said DTA recorded 308 “intentional program violations” by various stores over the 18 months.
“Many of these purchases are illegal,” O’Connell said, “and should cause cards to be suspended.”
Other findings from the DTA’s public records:
• $22,700 in welfare funds for “needy families” was accessed at stores with the words “Tobacco,” “Smoke,” “Cigar” and “Cigarette” in their names, including stores in Pineville and Cut Off, La., Moultrie, Ga., as well as stores in North Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama.
• Almost $10,000 was accessed in one tobacco store in Dorchester alone.
• About $19,000 cash was accessed in beauty stores and nail salons, mostly in Boston and other urban areas in Massachusetts, but also including four in Brooklyn and two in the Bronx.
• More than two dozen bars, clubs and taverns have recorded EBT transactions totaling $7,200 with lounges in Lawrence and Springfield leading the way.
• An EBT tab of $14 was run up at a Pennsylvania lounge called “the Swingers’ Club.”
• More than $4,500 in state welfare benefits were accessed at one jewelry store in Springfield, Conn.
• Massachusetts welfare recipients spent nearly $6,000 in the Virgin Islands, including $1,374 at a single restaurant in St. Thomas. A woman who answered the phone there Monday said the restaurant has an ATM.
Follow the money
The state’s Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) turned over 18 months of EBT records from Jan. 1, 2015, to July 1, 2016, and this is what the data showed:
$134,000 in welfare cash was accessed in the cities and towns around Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.
$110,404 in Puerto Rico
$11,404 in Las Vegas
$2,054 in Atlantic City, N.J.
$2,289 in Hawaii
$2,144 in Uncasville, Conn., home of the
Mohegan Sun casino
https://howiecarrshow.com/ebt-america-ma-welfare-cash-accessed-at-liquor-stores/
EBT America: Mass. Welfare Cash Accessed at Liquor Stores
Howie Carr list ping
That's goofy!
If you are truly in need, then the Churches will fill in to feed you, dress you, and help you find a job.
Then reiterate that the government is now out of the baby-sitting business.
(then wink at the camera and say "I hope you bought guns and ammo").
This is a great thing! The stupidity of liberals attracts all of the 3rd world scum that Obama let in this country. Since they are separated from the real citizens, we will know where they are and be able to target them. Once Trump enacts a citizenship test for welfare, they will all either flock to the liberal enclaves or leave. Since the arrogant liberals will double down on their stupidity it will only get easier as time goes by!
looks like a net drain for MA.
We should get a breakdown of who is doing this (I know - dream on).
My guess is that a significant number are ‘refugees’ and ‘unaccompanied minors’.
My pet peeve is pets.
If the recipient has dogs, cats, horses for example: no EBT (TANF) etc. Same for cable TV. They can use an antenna.
The program is about compassion, not lifestyle.
That’s great that these people can take their children to Disney World and that you and I get to pay for it.
How wonderful that they get to experience all the fun of the Magic Kingdom and you and I get to pay for it.
My children never got to have that experience, because I couldn’t really afford it and I refuse to take a loan for a vacation. But I’m so happy to pay for other leaches to go.
Couple years ago, one of my projects at the health insurance company I worked for was the expansion of Medicaid - I would call folks and welcome them to their new, taxpayer-funded medical insurance. A couple calls in particular stick out:
I reached on recipient, and asked if they had a moment to speak with me regarding their new coverage. The answer I got? "No, don't really have the time to speak wif you. We're on vacation at the beach. There's sand and water everywhere."
It was after the 2nd call that I told the boss it was time to reassign me to another project. The response this time? "No, I can hardly hear you. We're in the mountains on our dirtbikes."
I'm glad to no longer be in the insurance industry.
“3rd world scum that Obama let in this country”......
You failed to mention that there are millions of “home grown” welfare “gibbsmedats” who are NOT from a 3rd world. Obviously there are millions that indeed are odumbo “recipients” and unless Trump makes some massive reform, the U.S. will be in the 3rd world listing. I think he will make such changes.
EBT cards should automatically be restricted to personal food only, no other “perks” and in particular NO CASH. Stop stores or ATM machines from paying out “cash” when an EBT card is used. Stores should be made to “eat” the loss. Doing so might stop some of that fraud.
The Captain wrote this same column while about six years ago. Nothing changes here.
If the recipient has dogs, cats, horses for example: no EBT (TANF) etc.
Children raised in homes with dogs and cats are much less likely to have allergies as they get older. Any money saved on pet food will just be spent on medical costs later on. And medical care costs a lot more than dog or cat food. So, in the end, it will cost the taxpayer much more.
Actually, it should be limited to specific food only.
Temporary Assistance is an income for life for many some have been on for three generations.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.