Not Sure if this is PARF - EBT Observation
 

I posted this on PARF but nobody commented :(

When I came home on Friday, a homeless guy had dumped a bunch of garbage on the city's center median (in front of my house). I cleaned up the mess which consisted of 4 full pill bottles (non-Narcotic), some clothes, and a bunch of trash. Lastly, there was an EBT card in the pile.

What I found shocking was the expiration date on the card (12/2049). I thought this was supposed to be a temporary program. Why would the card not expire for nearly 25 years (that is, if it was issued this year)? I called to check the balance and the card had been canceled. Damm, now that they accept EBT at Baskin Robins, I was going to get me a nice sunday.

I was curious, so checked state site. Strange they would come up with 2049 expiration !

https://ehsd.org/2025/02/18/new-ebt-card-security-technology-upgrade/

" The replacement EBT card has new technology and includes several advantages for secure transactions:

Chip – provides a more sophisticated authentication process of the card than what the magnetic strip does.
Tap – The Near-Field Communication (NFC) is a contactless technology, transmitting data with just a tap of the card.
Magnetic Stripe – New technology is embedded in the stripe.
CSC NNN – The ‘Card Security Code (3-digit number)’ is an addition to the EBT Card to allow cardholders to use their card for online purchases.
SUID – The County code and case number displays under the cardholder’s name.
Expiration Date – Every card will have an expiration date of 12/49. Once the state determines the algorithm and timeframe for card replacements, they will be deployed in a staggered approach automatically and prior to the expiration date shown on the card."

Well, now we know why you're called Tidybuoy. Some limited searching says cards are good for a long time, but the benefits are limited.

Wrong, but good guess

What is EBT? Food assistance?

Yes. Once known as food stamps.

In California, an EBT card, specifically a CalFresh EBT card, is used to purchase eligible food items, such as fresh produce, meats, dairy, grains, and seeds/plants for home gardening, at participating grocery stores, farmers' markets, and some restaurants for qualifying individuals. EBT benefits cannot be used to buy non-food items like pet food or cleaning supplies, hot prepared foods at the point of sale, alcohol, tobacco, or vitamins and supplements.

Interesting: State website says it cannot be used for hot prepared foods at the point of sale. However, virtually every fast-food drive thru states "we accept EBT"

The trick is the definition of hot food. That cold subway footing, non baked pizza, etc. are fair game. There’s also two tiers of ebt, food and cash.

Usually these programs are very liberal with the monthly amounts given. I’ve talked to street walkers and they state $300-400 a month with little to no oversight/vetting. There’s also a video circling the web of some salty trailer park gal stating how the recent refugees had 20k + on the ebt balance when they gave them their recent (the balance is printed on the receipt after each sale).

The EBT card expiration has nothing to do with the benefits you've been given, other than being the way to access them.

Basically, they are a debit card - money is put into the account and as long as the account has money and the card isn't expired (a security thing, just like your debit card from your bank, not a "do you have benefits" thing) you can use the card to pay for whatever expenses.


TBH it is better than the old monopoly money looking food stamps, since they can't be traded/sold and you don't get less than $1 back as actual cash when buying... one of the common things I saw working in a convenience store was someone who would come in and buy a few dozen bananas for 39c/ea ... one at a time.

I think EBT cards should only be able to be used for healthy foods. Yes there's a challenge in defining healthy. Maybe weighted purchases like $1 in fresh veggies is charged $.90 to the card.

The bigger problem is food deserts where poor people live.

EveryBody's Taxes.

The card may have a long expiration date, but is only good if there is money added to the account.

We have middle eastern neighbors that owned a middle eastern grocery store, they were raided by the FBI in 2010-ish and charged with felonies for defrauding the EBT system. They were apparently charging large amounts, then giving the people a fraction of that charge in cash. They were finally caught because a majority of their transactions were round numbers and somebody got suspicious. They both served federal prison time. Then the husband, who was a PA, was arrested for raping women in a nursing home and fled the country before trial. Have I mentioned I hate my neighbors?

That change is now being rolled out, I’m not sure if it has happened in every state just yet. A lot of junk food can no longer be charged to the EBT, I’ve seen people ranting on social media because they can’t charge a jumbo Reese’s and a bag of Cheetos to EBT anymore.

Escalade in the parking lot is ok.

Escalade EBT?

I'm glad someone is reading my letters in DC. :D

Hey, we agree on something!!!:D

Nobody in PARF responded on account of it being old, very old, news.

I'm sure there will be more.:)

Maybe the "weighted purchases" purchases would help.
A problem is that, except for fresh fruits, there isn't much food that is healthy and also quick and easy to prepare. People who work two jobs don't have a lot of time to prepare meals. They are stuck with quick, easy meals that aren't so healthy. I don't care how long people who don't work have to spend cooking rice or whatever, but I know working folks who receive EBT, and they should not be punished for doing their best to support their family.

There are many factors at play with poor people eating healthy.

1. Time
2. Knowing what to cook
3. Knowing how to cook
4. Having pots and pans and utensils to cook with (this one is actually very big)
5. Food deserts

All of those things are real but I don't want to infantilize poor people too.

It may be out there already but if you get an EBT card, you should get recipes sent to your phone or email computer. But there literally hundreds of extremely tasty nutritious meals anyone can make that take literally minutes. They do need pots and pans and need to know how to cook, which I think are bigger challenges than time.

This dish is:
Boil water, cook spaghetti
Saute cod (any white fish) in a little oil, can be veggie or cheap olive
Cut tomatoes up
Capers (olives are cheaper and can be used for many other dishes but still taste great)
Take cod out of pan
Hit pan with water, scrape, add a little butter or oil
Saute tomatoes a little, throw in pasta, toss around, olives
Dump on plate put cod on. Chives not necessary

I think that someone having no idea how to actually do these extremely simple steps is a bigger factor in not making this dish than time. Pots and pans rank higher than time I am sure.

The physical cutting, prepping, working is 15 minutes for something that is restaurant quality.

Don't want restaurant? Fry chicken thighs in a pot, skin side down. Chop up onion, garlic, green and red pepper and throw in pot. Fry for a bit. Add a jar of pasta sauce. Let simmer for 20-30 minutes while you do other things. Great meal, very tasty and nutritious. This is a 10 minute activity meal. Leftovers are better than first serving so one big batch can be eaten on and off for a few days.

There are hundreds of these recipes. I work 80 plus hour weeks, physical work just so I'm moderately late versus extremely late, so I don't want to hear about poor people being too tired to cook and having no time. 2 through 5 above I can accept. Being tired and no time, not so much.



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