General Discussion

Android3.14

(5,402 posts)

33. Thank you

Wed Mar 26, 2014, 09:00 PM

Mar 2014

Your response helped me with my response to the Facebook discussion. Based on what you said, i went on a little research expedition myself and found some data for Maine. Here was my response.
"How often has this situation really occurred? I'd bet money it hardly ever happens. First off, welfare recipients are unable to use an EBT card for cash unless they are one of those rare people using TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) which accounts for about 1% of EBT users. Almost all EBT cards are only good for food. Currently there are over 200,000 people on food stamps in Maine (That's one in seven Mainers). Maybe 1 in a thousand Mainers (or 1 in 200 EBT users) could conceivably use an EBT card for cash, and an even tinier fraction of those might find themselves in jail. It's an interesting question, but it is a false flag creating a faux outrage over a problem that essentially doesn't exist."
Thanks.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

37 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Should a person be able to use a welfare benefit card to pay bail? [View all] Android3.14 Mar 2014 OP

I really think it'd be simpler if we just made being poor a criminal offense el_bryanto Mar 2014 #1

Experience is a good thing Android3.14 Mar 2014 #3

If it's a benefit program that spends like cash, then yes. dawg Mar 2014 #2

In Maine Android3.14 Mar 2014 #4

probably so they can spend at a farmer's market demigoddess Mar 2014 #12

You are making an assumption about my opinion. Android3.14 Mar 2014 #20

My farmers market takes snap Texasgal Mar 2014 #22

EBT cards for food stamp benefits CANNOT be used for cash. PotatoChip Mar 2014 #19

that is not universally true grasswire Mar 2014 #29

You are wrong. A Maine EBT foodstamp-only recipient does NOT have access to cash. Period. PotatoChip Mar 2014 #36

Well, then, Maine differs from some other states. nt grasswire Mar 2014 #37

Thank you Android3.14 Mar 2014 #33

They can use a TANF or other cash assistance EBT card at a cash machine. Gormy Cuss Mar 2014 #24

Some people get cash aid on their ebt cards Politicalboi Mar 2014 #34

I think your local community doesn't have enough to worry about n/t kcr Mar 2014 #5

I think you are correct. redwitch Mar 2014 #31

How else will they be able to pay it? Motown_Johnny Mar 2014 #6

They wouldn't Android3.14 Mar 2014 #21

Innocent until proven guilty n/t Motown_Johnny Mar 2014 #23

In jail, food is provided. lumberjack_jeff Mar 2014 #7

Although the flip side is.... jberryhill Mar 2014 #8

Buy interview clothing? Personal care items? lumberjack_jeff Mar 2014 #9

Food tamps aka SNAP 2naSalit Mar 2014 #11

I'm kinda wonderin' Nuclear Unicorn Mar 2014 #15

Unless you like the government intruding in your life and how you spend The Straight Story Mar 2014 #10

Just how much of a balance??? Historic NY Mar 2014 #13

Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!! mstinamotorcity2 Mar 2014 #14

I can use my unemployment debit card indie9197 Mar 2014 #16

And the jury results are... aikoaiko Mar 2014 #17

That was a surprise Android3.14 Mar 2014 #28

Be yourself and it will all work out correctly. aikoaiko Mar 2014 #32

Considering that banks got 750 Billion bailout from us... coyote Mar 2014 #18

Doesn't this just show that bail is being set too high ... surrealAmerican Mar 2014 #25

why not? mike_c Mar 2014 #26

.... because a poor person (regardless of innocence or guilt) etherealtruth Mar 2014 #27

yes newdemocrat999 Mar 2014 #30

Yes. Iggo Mar 2014 #35