[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by id10t

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.

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?

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

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.

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.