Business

Feds Propose New Rules to Fight Foodstamp Fraud

Food stamp recipients are ripping off the government for millions of dollars by illegally selling their benefit cards for cash — sometimes even in the open, on eBay or Craigslist — and then asking the government for replacement cards.

The Agriculture Department wants to curb the practice by giving states more power to investigate people who repeatedly claim to lose their benefit cards.

Feds Propose New Rules to Fight Foodstamp FraudIt is proposing new rules Thursday that would allow states to demand formal explanations from people who seek replacement cards more than three times a year. Those who don’t comply can be denied further cards.

Wait, hold on — states don’t already ask for an explanation and under the new rules, you have to “lose” your card three times?

Related: Heroin Dealer Allegedly Posts Bail With His EBT Card

“Up to this point, the state’s hands have been tied unless they absolutely suspected fraudulent activity,” said Kevin Concannon, the department’s undersecretary for food, nutrition and consumer services.

Overall, food stamp fraud costs taxpayers about $750 million a year, or 1 percent of the $75 billion program that makes up the bulk of the department’s total budget for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Most fraud occurs when unscrupulous retailers allow customers to turn in their benefits cards for lesser amounts of cash. But USDA officials are also concerned about people selling or trading cards in the open market, including through websites.

Last year, the department sent letters urging eBay and Craigslist to notify customers that it’s illegal to buy and sell food stamps. USDA officials followed up last month, saying they are still getting complaints that people are using the websites to illegally market food stamps.

Both eBay and Craigslist have told the government they are actively reviewing their sites for illegal activity and would take down ads offering food stamp benefits for cash. The USDA also has warned Facebook and Twitter about the practice.

South Dakota, Oklahoma, Washington, D.C., Minnesota and Washington state have the highest percentage of recipients seeking four or more replacement cards over a year. But USDA officials said that doesn’t necessarily indicate a high rate of fraud. All states are required by law to reissue lost or stolen cards to those who are eligible for benefits.

Related: House Dem: Obama Will Get Votes Because He’ll Protect Unemployment Benefits & Food Stamps

Wyoming, Idaho, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Alabama have the lowest percentage of households requesting four or more cards in a 12-month period.

In North Carolina, the state already issues warning letters to people who request four replacement cards in a year, letting them know that officials are monitoring them closely.

And then what?

Dean Simpson, chief of economic family services for the North Carolina Division of Social Services, said the new rules would give her state even more of a boost in curbing food stamp fraud.

“I think it would help with the trafficking and let individuals know they are being observed and watched,” said Simpson, who oversees the state’s distribution of food stamps.

More than 46 million people receive food stamps, nearly half of them children, according to official data. The average monthly benefit is $132 per person.

Benefit cards work like debit cards, allowing users to swipe them for food purchases at some 231,000 stores around the country that are authorized to take part in the food stamp program. Once a card is reported lost or stolen, it can be disabled immediately. But the USDA does not require photo identification, since several members of a family, including children, may use the cards at different times.

Related: Gov’t Spending $4M to Make Sure Welfare Recipients Can Use Food Stamps at Farmers’ Markets

Concannon stressed that the USDA wants to be sensitive to vulnerable people who may lose their cards for innocent reasons. While it may sound suspicious for someone to lose a card two or three times a year, food stamp recipients include many people who are homeless or have dementia or mental illness, he said.

“Our concern is that in many instances, it may point to a trafficking issue,” he said.

Last year, about 850,000 people were investigated for possible food stamp fraud. About 2,000 stores were sanctioned for illegal conduct, and 1,200 stores were permanently removed from the food stamp program.

[Author’s note: the following video, which is meant to be funny {and it is}, contains coarse language]:

Large supermarkets are seldom involved in illegal activity, Concannon said. The vast majority of fraud is found in smaller shops and convenience stores.

The USDA is currently developing tougher sanctions and penalties for retailers engaging in food stamp fraud. It is also taking steps to make sure that people disqualified from the program for illegal activity are not able to use it again in other states.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Comments (136)

1 2 3
  • Mgui35
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:18pm

    Food stamp recipients should never eat better than taxpayers, Period.

    Report Post »  
    • justangry
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:44pm

      Romin noodles cost 18 cents a pack where I live.

      Report Post » justangry  
    • oneshiner
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:36pm

      When you see “come-on ads” telling people they can spend or sell their food stamps on stuff like this, report it.

      Report Post »  
    • erxcwrestler
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:55pm

      “Food stamp recipients should never eat better than taxpayers, Period.”

      Too bad it’s so often not the case… (see example)

      https://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/577518_3720763132631_1082370899_3430098_164715719_n.jpg

      Report Post »  
    • marhee9
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:58pm

      I know…..let’s start another government agency to oversee the current agency. That always works, doesn’t it? Just remember that the tea party, that wants smaller government is the radical group in this country. The OWS movement that thinks everyone should be on food stamps is the “good” group.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwGq8e23LOc

      Report Post »  
    • brother_ed
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 12:34am

      @JUSTANGRY

      Good answer.

      The only problem I see with that is the Left will see you as advocating ‘cruel and unusual punishment’.

      Of course, it’s what every college kid eats while they are gaining an education, but it would be racist of you to imply that food stamp recipients should eat them.

      Report Post » brother_ed  
    • Bryan B
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 5:08am

      Mgui35
      justangry
      oneshiner
      erxcwrestler
      brother_ed

      I know why none of you use your real names, all of you took the bail out money from Bush and Obama…..

      Report Post » Bryan B  
    • idarusskie
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 7:07am

      oatmeal is 4:00 a round box for store brand. you can live a long time on that. Boring… but well fed.

      Report Post »  
    • Bryan B
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 9:34am

      Not one person has an original thought on the Food Stamp subject.

      It’s all regurgitated from someone else. Not one of you is poor, so how do you know anything about the subject. And it’s really obvious, that you know nothing.

      And when you have someone tell you the truth about Food Stamps (Me) you don’t listen….

      No one on Food Stamps is buying “Lobsters”….

      You all sound like you work for Rush Limbaugh…..

      Report Post » Bryan B  
    • brother_ed
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 10:21am

      @BRYAN B

      What did I say that makes you say that about me?

      I am not a fan of food stamps. Why not set up food banks that give food to people that need a hand? Why allow them to have cash (or some equivalent) to spend as they want? That is the most efficient way to feed them.

      If you are in need, you would be happy with Ramen noodles.

      By the way, Bryan, my name is Ed – just like my screen name says. We Latter Day Saints call each other ‘brother’ and ‘sister’, therefor, Brother Ed is technically my name.

      Report Post » brother_ed  
    • turkey13
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 10:46am

      We are squaking about a little 150 million in scams! What about amost 50 billion in green energy scams. All going belly up and people laid off and millions disappearing into the owners off shore accounts. One company making solar panals shut down and moved operations to China.

      “If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there’d be a shortage of sand.” Milton Friedman

      Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 12:59pm

      If they want to truly reduce spending on food stamps they should ban members of congress and their staff from meeting with lobbyists from the food & grocery industry who constantly advocate to expand eligibility and benefit level. I think the money should be funneled to social organizations, even mainstream churches, which could provide meals to the hungry. The recipients would be required to work a certain amount of hours in the programs kitchen cooking or cleaning up. Right now given the structure of the program and possibility that the retail food industry itself and its suppliers can still make the same level of profit from the sales, too much money is not being used to actually feed the hungry.

      Report Post »  
    • LovinUSA
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 3:03pm

      Amen

      Report Post » LovinUSA  
    • brother_ed
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 4:24pm

      @JROOK

      Well said. I’ll even go a little further…

      The government should get out of the charity business entirely; they should not funnel money to social organizations, or even mainstream churches.

      Report Post » brother_ed  
    • Bryan B
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 7:08pm

      Whats the difference from you all using the Tax Code and getting yourselves a few million in returns and someone on Food Stamps….Nothing, But for some reason in your minds, it’s ok for you to use the governments help, because it benefits you. You just use the excuse that you pay Taxes now. The people on Food Stamps where not always poor and on Food Stamps, they where at one time bussiness owners and or gainfully employed and paid their Taxes, and produced for our country.
      And not one them, that is now poor and on Food Stamps, was standing with their hands up saying ‘Pick Me, Pick Me’ !!!! I want to go on Food Stamps. Everyone on Food Stamps wants to go back Work.

      You den of Vipers and Hypocrites, You are no different then the Liberal Democrate Elitists, that you complain and go on about. I tell you this, before this generation passes, You will stand in my shoes, and know what it is to lose everything, including your Freedom, because you have learned nothing….

      Report Post » Bryan B  
    • brother_ed
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 11:26pm

      You are right, not everyone that is on food stamps was always poor. My guess is, and I’ll try to find a source, would be that there are plenty of people that have been on food stamps a good portion of their life. It would be an interesting stat.

      I don’t believe the government should be in the charity business.

      Report Post » brother_ed  
    • Bryan B
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 1:49am

      @brother_ed

      That sounds great, but are you also prepared to do away with Social Security,Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security Disability,Veterans Benefits, Veterans Disability,Veterans Administration, Health Clinics or Departments,County and City Hospitals, Free School Lunch and Tax Returns. I can keep going with the list, I think you got the point.
      This is all government charity…..

      Report Post » Bryan B  
    • brother_ed
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 10:54am

      @BRYAN B

      Yes, I do think we should phase out these programs.

      Veterans benefits are just that, benefits. The same benefits as any employer gives, so I think those would fall under a different category.

      From your list, you see that we spend lots of money taking care of people, when it is the individual’s responsibility to take care of themselves. If you are unable, then your family should. If your family can’t, then your church or other social organization should. The Federal government should not.

      Report Post » brother_ed  
    • Bryan B
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 3:22pm

      @brother_ed

      No Ed your wrong, Veterans Benefits (VA), only require 2 years of military service, for life-time benefits. And it doesn’t even have to be during a war……

      You can’t cherry pick on this….

      Report Post » Bryan B  
    • labratz5620
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 1:38pm

      The government has a lot of empty buildings all over the country. Why not turn them into food banks, where basic staple foods are available. Then require all food stamp recipients to get their food from the food banks (food stamps are not good in any other store). In return, all recipients of food stamps can work several hours a week in these food banks (stocking items, canning items, etc) or provide community service to help “pay” for this assistance. That way, people truly in need will get necessary items and will contribute some of their time and energy so they don’t feel like they are getting something for nothing. If they can’t get to the food bank, help can be provided to assist them. This will cut down on recipients using their stamps unwisely or inappropriately, and will decrease the fraud exponentially.

      Report Post »  
    • brother_ed
      Posted on May 28, 2012 at 11:02pm

      @BRYAN B

      Those benefits still come from the employer (the government) as an enticement to get you to serve.

      If they feel the need to give out lifetime bennies to those who serve only 2 years, then so be it.

      Report Post » brother_ed  
    • pscully17
      Posted on May 29, 2012 at 4:24pm

      We the tax payers should get.yo.beat tbe food stamp crowd with a stick, and make them uncomfortable for being on the program, then, I would bet, the enrollment would decline.

      Report Post »  
    • benjamin81882
      Posted on July 2, 2012 at 9:28pm

      Yeah because if you if you receive food stamps you cant be a tax payer huh? or maybe you just dont make enough money…..its retards like you and those who vote for Obama that weaken our countries gene pool.

      Report Post »  
  • Cartman05
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:16pm

    Fix the fraud, but also tighten the requirements to get them, I’ve seen people driving a better car than me use them.

    Report Post » Cartman05  
    • Apple Bite
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:14pm

      Amen….and Amen.

      Report Post » Apple Bite  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 8:53am

      Get rid of the cards go back to actual foodstamps for starters. Then set up strict rules like anyone who gets caught in fraud loses all benefits for life not just foodstamps,but also welfare,housing assistance,and wic as well. Even if they have more kids they’re still cut off. ZERO TOLERENCE
      Anyone caught trying to fraudulantly obtain any entitlements get cut off for life. ZERO TOLERENCE
      Anyone caught collecting welfare while actually working anunder the table job GETS CUT OFF FOR LIFE., ZERO TOLERENCE,
      Anyone gets caught allowing unreported people to stay at their section 8 Housing gets CUT OFF FOR LIFE. ZERO TOLERENCE.
      Basicly anyone caught abusing any government entitlement program forfeits all entitlements for life.
      ZERO TOLERENCE

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 11:26am

      SOLUTION: No fraud; No food stamps!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • Tonytheshark21
      Posted on May 27, 2012 at 1:56pm

      I really can’t stand when I see young people (18-25) using these cards at the gas station buying energy drinks and potato chips then pull out a 20 and buy a pack of smokes. This culture being cultivated by entitlements will sink our great nation.

      Report Post »  
  • alcarfl
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:12pm

    Ahhhh HaHa Ha Ha….that’s funny. Why now? The folks “within the system” have been selling them, swapping them for drugs and dealing with “sympathetic” merchants for decades. In Venezuela there is no welfare. If you work a day (sweeping the sidewalkis, for example) you get a government check. If you lie around in your doorless, windowless, “incomplete ranchita” and watch your giant flat screen, you get nothing. Gas is 15 cents a gallon if you have need.

    Report Post »  
  • The Knave
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:05pm

    If the States or the federal government are really going to be serious about fraud then they need to establish a nationwide cross check for benefits. As things stand now, to receive benefits a person must provide ID in that state. If that same person goes to another state and applies for benefits, again they must provide ID. However, these two states don’t talk to each other so now that one person is receiving benefits from two different states.

    My wife found out about this from a co-worker of hers whose cousin lives in New York but comes down to visit and uses the cousins address for applying in our state. She then sells the card usage to someone else for cash (.50 to the dollar). She then returns to New York several hundred dollars richer, and repeats this process over and over. Considering an average of $525 in food stamps for a family of four in South Carolina, a person can make about $250 a month this way (no idea what the average is in NY).

    What really pissed off the wife was learning that tricks like these are taught in numerous black churches on a regular basis, part of the liberation theology of theirs. They network on how to commit fraud and “get theirs”.

    If a cross check federal system was established then a huge amount of fraud would be prevented.

    Report Post »  
    • PapaPatriarch
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:18pm

      I want my money back =(

      Report Post » PapaPatriarch  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:40pm

      A cross check wouldn’t be that hard to do. You are just querying databases.

      The hard part would be defending against legal & political attacks by interest groups & non profits.

      Report Post »  
    • Bikkiboo
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 9:48pm

      This is where the implanted microchip – which is probably also the “Mark of the beast” in Biblical terms – will be handy. People will readily accept it because it will prevent fraud and make sense. It also will allow the gov’t to keep track of everything we do. We have to be knowledgeable and not accept everything at face value.

      Report Post » Bikkiboo  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:05pm

    The article failed to mention how many people receiving food stamp cards are illegal aliens.

    Report Post » The-Monk  
    • carolewash
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:14pm

      VERY High! They have all of their family listed even in Mexico. One gal had food stamps of $2000.00 per month. Go figure. When you ring the alarm you are told to mind your own business. They take their welfare check and send it to family in Mexico also.

      Report Post »  
    • MIBUGNU2
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 9:24pm

      @The-Monk
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:05pm
      The article failed to mention how many people receiving food stamp cards are illegal aliens.

      O’Blamer and holder said, You can’t say illegal aliens anymore, Visitors from the South..
      make them feel ta’ home, share all our goodies with them.. Make it easy for them to get here.
      Then the DOJ- holder can SUE Arizona and Sherriff Joe for being the bad guys…. This
      Administration has to GO !!!!! What a F’N JOKE !!!!!

      Report Post » MIBUGNU2  
    • Darlie
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 11:51pm

      Carole, in some parts of the country they do more than tell you to mind your own business. Where illegals have taken over they will tell you to “watch it, 3 strikes and you’re out.” I miss my country!

      Report Post »  
  • The Gooch
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:59pm

    This is what you get when you try to save every two-legged primate from its own stupidity and sloth. I am sick to death of hearing about the vaunted social safety net. This is nothing more than enabling… and not even really about feeding people. In my state, SNAP benefit fraud is very much enmeshed with prescription drug abuse. Hell, if you just gave the junkies what they really want, you’d sure uncomplicate this nonsense.
    Please. There is NO WAY IN HELL most of you would ever allow these criminals to be held responsible for their actions. You’ll still feed, clothe and make sure there is a roof over the heads of the thieves and junkies. “The children! The children!!!”
    If you’re worried about the children, you’ll teach them choices and actions have consequences. And sometimes that consequence is you go hungry. Private citizens can save the dregs; I’m quite tired of being force to do so.

    Report Post »  
  • Individualism
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:59pm

    of course crackdown fraud on the common man not the elite bankers like John Corzine.

    Report Post » Individualism  
    • brother_ed
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:08pm

      @INDIVIDUALISM

      Corzine didn’t take my money.

      I do, however, contribute to Food Stamps.

      Report Post » brother_ed  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:18pm

      When it is common to be on food stamps, we’re collectively and unquestionably screwed. If you need the govt. to feed you, the govt. owns you. Unless you can beat THE MAN at his own game and say “Screw you!” to the people paying for your bread and milk. Yeah… fight the power.
      Your post is a limp-wristed class warfare play.

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:18pm

      @Idiotvidualism

      Why not crackdown on your own fraudulent statements and answer my questions?

      You won’t because you are a fraud.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • 50211bs
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:45pm

      That‘s BhuseinO’s boy, they are well protected from prosecution. I’m so disgusted at both parties, nothing but a bunch of thieving a*@holes.

      Report Post »  
    • Cornflake
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 1:52am

      I’m in agreement with your statement! This worry about a few who may be defrauding the foodstamp program troubles me because I feel it means they are gearing up for an even larger program! A program that will be needed, when this country sinks to the bottom because of it’s inability to even pay interest on the money the government is spending. I’ll say this much..I’d rather have people in America fed, even if a few find some way to abuse the system. I’m tired of hearing that we are giving billions to at least 6 countries and some amout of money to ALL countries in the world. I‘m tired of the military spending when it appears we couldn’t win a war in a hundred years with the leaders we have have now. Troops are great, it’s the politicans who are questionable in regards to their decisions. So, I’d rather see Americans being fed with American money than see it being p+++ed away all over the world, while we pay for it!

      Report Post »  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:56pm

    this isn’t going to fix it how stupid.

    Report Post »  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:10pm

      Yes, but is will validate and create more govt. jobs and the ever-popular costly bureaucratic review. I’ve seen this play out way too many times at the state level to take this noise seriously. What matters: More and more people will receive this benefit.

      Report Post »  
  • AnOregonian
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:56pm

    Small potatoes…

    Will the 4.6 billion dollar ITIN child credit fraud be next?

    Oh…… Filthy Harry won’t allow the Senate to vote on the congressional “fix”

    Report Post » AnOregonian  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:53pm

    How about DRUG testing? How about if you have a cell phone or a big screen television you have to sell it first or give it to a TAXPAYER?? . How about we REALLY get tough and tell these Government money suckers that it’s OVER!
    78 BILLION in food stamps a year and growing….Screw them, let them starve!

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • JosephHarris
      Posted on May 25, 2012 at 8:59am

      I used to have employees that made plenty but spent their money on cigarettes, weed and alcohol. Here in northern VA they get $210 a month and uncle scam covers their cell phones (a couple hundred minutes a month… plus texting of course). Nice to see Capitol Meets accepts EBT, my employees can afford things that I can’t, not cool F U uncle scam!

      Report Post »  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:52pm

    Hey feds think up a rule to combat the Marxist POS fraud in chief,now that’s a fraud worth exposing.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • Banter
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:11pm

      Sadly, that “rule” is the Constitution, and he violates it every day. I sincerely hope I am in this world long enough to see this entire administration walked out of the courtroom in handcuffs.

      Report Post » Banter  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:28pm

      I agree with everything you wrote except for the part about characterizing Barry‘s group as an ’administration’,I think a better descriptor is regime because we are being ruled and not governed.

      He’ll be in office for eight more months,we‘ll fire him in November and he’ll continue to disgrace the office until Jan 20th then he’ll be gone and real capitalists will restore our republic. :)

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • Banter
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:36pm

      I agree, and will use the correct terminology going forward.

      As an aside, if this site allowed it, I would use much more coarse language, and it wouldn’t include the word regime.

      Report Post » Banter  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:47pm

      Ha ha ha I know what you mean,they’ve shut me down once before and removed some of my posts.
      There‘s a rage in this country I’ve never seen before and I hope to never see again.Rest assured our long national nightmare will be over soon.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • moussiagilda
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:50pm

    Have you figured out yet how completely dopey it is to be anti-corporate?

    Report Post »  
  • Banter
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:50pm

    Q: Mr. government, how is the war on poverty progressing?

    A: ” More than 46 million people receive food stamps, nearly half of them children, according to official data” So, you know, our short-term target is 100 million, so we are progressing nicely.

    Report Post » Banter  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:40pm

      Indeed,the Marxist regime currently in power would love to have everyone in this country dependent on government for food shelter and health care.Total control of the population is their goal,a vile evil group.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:50pm

    I have a radical idea,abolish the unconstitutional program all together because ‘welfare’ is immoral and ensures generational poverty.It’s unconstitutional for government to be in the charity business,that’s the job of charities.While we‘re at it there’s several unconstitutional departments that need to be abolished as
    well,I‘m tired of feeding the parasites and the lazy freaks who won’t work.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:00pm

      Looking for a LIKE button….

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • 9111315
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:07pm

      [Click to LIKE]

      Report Post »  
    • The Gooch
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:12pm

      Why ya gots to be so mean… and honest? We don’t want honesty, we wanna feel good about ourselves and rationalize this garbage.

      Report Post »  
    • hatchetjob
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:24pm

      Like!!!!

      Report Post » hatchetjob  
    • MCDAVE
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 8:22pm

      like

      Report Post »  
    • Tree_Butcher
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 9:26pm

      It would be a good start, I would follow up 5 seconds later with closing the doors of the IRS, EPA, SETI, NEA, end all private AND corporate welfare (if you can’t stay in business without government assistance, you shouldn’t be in business), and the list goes on…

      Report Post » Tree_Butcher  
  • chips1
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:49pm

    If you use their way of thinking, then anyone that robs the Bank of America is only stealing from .03% of the total number of banks and it isn’t worth the effort to catch them. B.S. Let’s fill up those FEMA camps with criminals. Oh!!! I’m sorry! They will claim it’s racist. Sorry!!!

    Report Post »  
  • abbygirl1994
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:49pm

    Corruption at its finest! What will the Fed do about fraudulent SSI users.. or payee thieves.. who take thier own childrens money to benefit themselves.. or those recieving SSI and working under the table? What about fraudulent doctors and hospitals who rob insurances, or medicaid or medicare! They are out there.. I’ve seen it, reported it and nothing is done about it! Lord help us!

    Report Post » abbygirl1994  
    • Livia
      Posted on May 26, 2012 at 12:10pm

      I have also, ABBYGIRL, and like you, absolutely NOTHING is ever done about it. I get so aggravated and frustrated that I want to throw things. This goes on in my family, and it is shameful. According to what I’ve been told, I am eligible for Food Stamps, but I refuse to apply for them. I make do with what I have. So what if I eat Ramen noodles? Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a delight to me. Hamburger Helper is good also.

      Yes, there are families that pass down the food stamp and welfare ethic from one generation to another, but people don’t want to see that. Those of us that actually give a hoot are concerned and yes, furious over this and like others have said, it does no good to turn them in. I‘m at the point that I don’t even have anything to do with 99% of my family because of this. They actually take pride in getting over on someone.

      Report Post »  
  • Mgui35
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:46pm

    I work full time and I have to shop for discount groceries all of the time just to feed my family of five. It seems as if every time Im in the grocery store, the person in front of me has a cart loaded down with expensive food items and inevitably they pay with an EBT card. Why am I paying for them to eat better than me? Shouldn’t the money be spent on staple items like rice, beans, bread, chicken, ground meat, etc. They not only eat better, but they have nicer cellphones, clothes, and cars than I do. Im not poor either, I have made over 80k for the last four years. Im just disgusted as to where my tax money is going.

    Report Post »  
    • momrules
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:42pm

      Welfare recipients used to get subsistance food like you described and there was actually a time when being on welfare was an embarrassment for people.

      Now people have been raised on it and it has been made acceptable as a lifestyle. As you say they eat better and drive better cars and own more *stuff* than the average working person.

      Report Post »  
  • Banter
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:46pm

    Regardless of how noble the cause, when the government is involved it always, always, fails. It’s the reverse Midas touch, everything the government touches turns to s#$%.

    Report Post » Banter  
  • ArcticDodge
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:43pm

    better yet, get the Dept of AG out of the Democrat vote buting business and give the states the responsibility to run their own welfare programs.

    Report Post »  
  • moussiagilda
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:43pm

    Nobody needs foodstamps from the government. Nobody. If you need help, ask the people around you for help. You’ll get it. Don’t be addicted to alcohol or drugs, at all. Keep your mind, keep your life.

    Report Post »  
  • BurntHills
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:41pm

    $750 million a year is his annual vacation budget and chump change to obama, it’s about what he passes out to EACH of his supporters — like the guys who embezzled all that Solyndra money.. we wonder how much was obama’s kickback.

    Report Post » BurntHills  
    • chips1
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:58pm

      We will find out when they arrest Obama’s bundlers. They probably accept stolen EBT cards.

      Report Post »  
  • CatB
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:39pm

    Easy .. you “lose” your card .. tough .. perhaps they will learn to be responsible .. or NOT SELL THEM! You MUST provide I.D. and it must be entered along with the card. On top of that if you get food stamps you should not also be going to food pantries.. learn to live on what you are given.

    Report Post »  
  • bhelmet
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:38pm

    Surprise, surprise

    Report Post » bhelmet  
  • hatchetjob
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:36pm

    Finally! But I thought the government wanted an economic collapse, I’m confused.

    Report Post » hatchetjob  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on May 24, 2012 at 7:29pm

      @hatchetblowjob

      The economic collapse is already set. What they are doing now is stirring the bottom up. You know… “bottom up, top down, inside out”. Maybe you haven’t heard about that yet? Just google your buddy Van Jones…

      Report Post » The-Monk  
  • Ben__Franklin
    Posted on May 24, 2012 at 6:35pm

    Oh no, Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, Sheila Jackson-Lee, and Maxi-pad Walters are going to have a fit that someone wants to stop Government Welfare Fraud.

    Report Post »  
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