Some don't even bother buying anything with the cards, instead selling them to others for 50 cents on the dollar.. "The fraud and abuse is obscene," says state Rep Shaunna O'Connell of Massachusetts, a leader of that state's effort to reduce EBT-related scams.. Some buy liquor or cigarettes or tattoos or adult entertainment with EBT-card funds intended to buy food for their children. Mike Carrell of Washington state "We've uncovered millions of dollars of fraud.. Like most debit cards, EBT cards can be used to pay directly for goods and services and, in many cases, they can be used to withdraw cash from ATMs.. Quick crackdown on abuse But a delay of two years is not acceptable to many state legislators, who say that funds from the other program, previously known as food stamps and now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also are being used improperly.. But if you pay for them with a debit card funded by taxpayers, that's our business -- and we're cutting you off.. " A sponsor of legislation to combat the problem, Carrell says that Washington is hardly alone in this. As part of the national crackdown, President Barack Obama in 2012 signed a measure that requires states to ban the use of TANF funds at casinos, liquor stores and strip clubs by 2014.. " Most at risk are funds from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, the general welfare benefits.. "Taxpayers are willing to help people who are in need," she adds "With people getting into the system fraudulently, money is not being used for its intended purpose.. " National experts agree and say that aggressive action is being taken in response. Summer Saga Game For Android Download
"It's huge," he says "Every state has the same problem we have identified in our state.. And they are being abused -- frequently, easily and infuriatingly, according to critics.. Prodded by the federal government, fueled by ever-intensifying competition for precious tax dollars, dozens of states throughout the country are imposing new limitations on the debit cards now used virtually everywhere to distribute public financial assistance to presumably needy recipients.. About $30 billion in cash assistance was distributed to 4 4 million people by this program in fiscal 2011 and a significant portion of that money -- several billion dollars every year, according to critics -- was diverted to a variety of illicit purposes. 773a7aa168
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