Food Stamp Fraud

Posted by Ted Koppy on November 12th, 2008 at 05:15:32 pm , 3560 views

I was shopping at the grocery store today, when a guy in the checkout lane next to me proudly pointed to several 12 packs of soda he bought. He told me the cans were going "directly into the machine."

At first I thought he was talking about the soda machine - maybe he was some kind of soda vending machine entrepreneur. It turns out he was talking about the recycling machine.

At a time when our government is spending much more than it is taking in, I think it is time to tighten the restrictions on food stamps, and the guy I met today is a prime example of why.

I don't know why he decided to tell me about his scheme, maybe he thinks it's impressive.

As I bagged my own groceries, he went into more detail about how he needs some cash, so he bought 30 dollars worth of soda with government food stamps. He had no plans to actually drink the soda. He told me he was taking all of the cans to the recycling machine at the store. There, he would put the cans into the machine that gives you a return for your deposit. This would net him about six dollars in cash.

I responded saying "that doesn't seem like a good use of your food stamps." "I know", he said, "but I need the cash."

I understand that with any program designed to help people in need, there is potential for fraud or abuse. But let's think about food stamps for a minute. Should you really be able to buy soda with food stamps? You can't put a monetary worth on the nutritional value of soda because there is none. It's basically corn sweetener and carbonated water.

I've seen this misguided use of foodstamps before. When I started my career, my annual t.v. salary was below the poverty level, so I worked nights and weekends in a grocery store to make ends meet. I saw countless people come through my checkout line, buying expensive steaks, seafood, soda and junk food ... and they paid for it with foodstamps. It always seemed like a gross misuse of the taxpayers' money, and quite frankly it was irritating.

Foodstamps are well intentioned. In a country as richly blessed as ours, nobody should go hungry. If we can afford to waste as much food as we do, we can afford to feed the hungry. But more restrictions are needed on what you can buy with foodstamps.

I think a much better example of federal money going to truly nourish people in need, is the Women Infants and Children (or WIC) program. People who get WIC subsidies can only buy specific foods that meet a nutritional criteria, so recipients aren't blowing their monthly allotment on a week's worth of groceries.

I don't want to see the guy I met today loose his opportunity to shop with his food stamps, but I do want the federal government to stop his ability to game the system and collect pennies on our dollar.

Filed under Anchor Desk.

77 comments

Comment from: Hosed by the system [Visitor]
When you think about it........if you can do something about just 30% of all the damn fraud that our "entitlements" have, we wouldnt have to complain about NOT having enough money.......
11/12/08 @ 17:56
Comment from: mike [Visitor]
I would've bought the food stamps for 20¢ on the dollar!
11/12/08 @ 18:12
Comment from: visitor [Visitor]
Ted,
There is so much fraud going on that I wouldn't be surprised that fraud has now been legalized. You have to come out from behind the desk and see what goes on. I can't believe that you haven't encountered this before. I am so sick and tired of it but it does no good to complain because everyone is doing it (not me). I wouldn't lower myself.
11/12/08 @ 18:54
Comment from: Jimmy Woods [Visitor] Email
Ted, I dont believe your story, you need to dump the soda out before you can put it in the machine. The gentleman couldn't possibly have walked the soda right over to the recycling machine. You are just a hater with nothing else better to do then pick on people who receive foodstamps.
11/12/08 @ 19:21
Comment from: Alice [Visitor] · http://www.affordableaccuracy.com
Some people might need to be better educated on what foods are nutritional. (I don't mean the case about buying soda.) Perhaps the type of food you can buy with food stamps should be better regulated so that junk foods are not allowed.
11/12/08 @ 19:35
Comment from: missy [Visitor]
Maybe if the government allowed people especially the homeless, the opportunity to purchase a $4.00 rotisserie chicken, or a $3.00 sandwich made at a corner store or deli, maybe recipients wouldn't have to resort to such a waste of their benefits just to get cash to have a meal before they check in to the homeless shelter at night. People are so quick to judge without knowing why people resort to such desperate measures. Once you work on the front line like myself and my co-workers then come talk to me!!!!!!
11/12/08 @ 19:41
Comment from: Missy [Visitor]
P.S. They are now called SNAP benefits. If you need something to do with your idle, miserable minds, look it up.





11/12/08 @ 19:59
Comment from: jeff [Visitor] Email
amazing... and the govermnent gave them the tax money... sounds just like a wall street CEO or an AIG official...
11/12/08 @ 20:04
Comment from: Bonnie [Visitor]
Missy,

Enlighten me please what are SNAP
benefits. I just want to make sure it's not something that we're being taxed on.
11/12/08 @ 20:19
Comment from: missy [Visitor]
Bonnie sweetie,

It's just a name change, so yes, you are being taxed and I hope you and Jeff make over $250.00 a year. That would make my day.
11/12/08 @ 20:47
Comment from: missy [Visitor]
Yes, I meant 250,000.
11/12/08 @ 20:49
Comment from: Jack [Visitor]
Missey,are you sure it's not pissy...........
11/12/08 @ 21:03
Comment from: Ted Koppy [Member] Email
I can understand how somebody might read my post and assume that I am a "hater", after all, you don't really know me. But I assure you I am not. It's funny because I have also been accused of being a "bleeding heart" a "socialist" and a "liberal" on this blog, so I guess it's nice to get the criticism from both sides. Also... I don't make up stories, and also wondered about the full soda cans. I didn't ask the guy about that. Maybe he dumps it down the storm drain out in the parking lot. Certainly there are ways to dispose of it quickly.
11/12/08 @ 21:26
Comment from: Miguel [Visitor]
This type of fraud is rampant, corner stores are also buying these for half of the face value, they receive above face value from the government for accepting foodstamps; quite the profit. Awhile back I worked as a disrict manager for a retail company, we often had individuals come in with their EBT cards to make very large purchases of non-essential items. Where is the program oversight? These purchases can easily have been detected.
11/12/08 @ 21:29
Comment from: HAPPILY out of New Haven [Visitor]
There are those that need an appreciate assistance and those who work the system.
I don't see any harm in having someone (Ted) express their opinion about something they saw first hand. It's wrong and actually - it's fraudulent. Just as those that "cash in" benefits rather then buy the food it was intended for.
Everyone has a "right" to their opinion and should be allowed to express it.
11/12/08 @ 21:35
Comment from: JJ [Visitor]
Ted, I also worked in a grocery stores many years ago. At that time I use to see people buying very expensive deli meats and cheeses with their WIC stamps. It use to aggravate alot of us, as we were working, as were our husbands, and no way could we afford some of the stuff they bought.

As time went on, we got a notice that only certain cheeses, eggs, etc. could be bought with the stamps.

This guy had to have some money on him, as unless things have changed, taxable items were NOT allowed to be bought with food stamps. If they can now, my oh my how things have changed.

Call me a "hater", but, I think people on Welfare, food stamps etc. should be given vouchers like in the old days. This way, they can only shop at certain stores, and only buy certain food items. We the taxpayers are funding these programs, and I'd like to see my money spent more wisely.

I'm sure the man intended to dump out the soda, as we all know you can't put full soda cans or bottles into those machines.

11/12/08 @ 21:55
Comment from: miguel [Visitor]
True story, wouldn't he have to pay for the deposit with cash in order to make this possible? things that make you go Hmmm........
11/12/08 @ 21:58
Comment from: missy [Visitor]
Ted,

I am not disputing what you witnessed or your right to feel the way you felt. However, not all recipients are crooks and not everyone even knows that there is a market out there that actually buys SNAP benefits for .50 cents on the dollar. That gentleman sounded like he was very desperate to resort to spend $30.00 to get $6.00. How does a homeless person cook or heat canned or cold food?, which is all they are allowed to purchase. I think the woman who mentioned nutritional education was on the right track. However, nothing in Gov happens quickly and there are actually hungry people out there. How would you feel if you had to buy lunch meat for one sandwhich because any more than that would spoil. Lunch meat is also high in sodium and many of these clients already have diabetes and hypertension. Things just need to change. Jack, maybe I am pissey, but it is very dishearting when you can't help and all you can do is watch. We are not allowed to even given a dollar for bus fair at work but somehow I think I may have just bought the guy a hot meal. Yes, some say "no" because they don't have good intentions but you would be surprised how many individuals actually accept a meal or a warm drink in the morning.
11/12/08 @ 21:58
Comment from: Ted Koppy [Member] Email
I don't think I've ever been asked to pay a cash deposit for aluminum cans when buying a twelve pack of soda. I think that is just built into the retail price. Missy I hear ya... you raise a lot of good points.

I think a lot of us are essentially saying the same thing; there are ways this program can be improved. By no means do I believe that all (or even a majority) of the recipients are abusing these benefits.
11/12/08 @ 22:44
Comment from: HAPPILY out of New Haven [Visitor]
It is quite admirable that you are so passionate about those you work with and care about Missy - however -I seriously doubt the folks writing here are the cause.
It must be quite frustrating at times to not be able to help more then you do already. But we all must realize this is a tough time for all of us economically and watching some perhaps abuse a benefit is frustrating to say the least.
Since I've been the food shopper for the family for years I believe there are many food items that can be purchased in single portions on a day to day basis. Also looking for canned items that have flip tops might be an option. Most deli's will make a single sandwich if they are asked.
Just as you've made it clear not to judge "all" I think the same would apply in reverse.


11/12/08 @ 23:29
Comment from: Jessica [Visitor]
I receive Food Stamps and yes I buy soda occasionally. I have 3 kids between the ages of 10-15. Yes we do drink the soda and yes we also bring back the bottles or cans. But I can tell you that with the price of milk and other foods going up and the food stamps going down I can honestly say we don't buy it a lot. By the third week of the month my food stamps are gone and I am seeking food from food banks. It isn't all fun and games for those who receive food stamps. I spend on average $127.53 to about $158.67 a month alone on milk. there is half my food stamps right there. Mac and Cheese can only go so far. So all of you who honestly don't need food stamps please stop making it harder for us who really struggle.
11/13/08 @ 07:05
Comment from: Hosed by the system [Visitor]
Anybody that gets any type of "entilement" meant to go to something like food, rent, heating oil etc......... SHOULD be using that money for just that..... not buying cases of friggin soda just so they can collect a deposit on the cans so they can buy things maybe they shouldnt be buying..like drugs or alcholol......there are alot of people who steal foodstamps to "sell" to get money for just that purpose..........its alomst a friggin industry in itself...........


Here is a story that happened to my stepson when he worked for Kenny Rogers chicken in the summer when he was going to college.....He came home oneday from work with a whole chicken dinner for us and was VERY confused.....he said there was this person who was outside the restraunt with a sign " NEED HELP TO FEED MY FAMILY OF 5......." the guy was there for a couple of days, people gave him money.......so my stepson thought it would be nice if, when he left he gave the guy a dinner to take home.......so when he pulled up to the guy to give him the bag with all the food the guys says to him " I dont want your damn food....I need the money....." he refused to take the food........in fact he had the balls to ask my stepson for CASH..................


My point is that there is SOOOOO much BS out there........... compassion is good, if it is directed to the RIGHT thing...............
11/13/08 @ 07:18
Comment from: CTRedSoxFan [Visitor]
Nice-Ted-real nice...you just made my day with this story. I'm beyond disgusted now.

I just love standing behind these people in the grocery line, watching the brand name purchases and ho-ho's, ring dings, soda,ice cream etc go down the belt and then looking at my own carefully chosen store brand purchases thinking..gee I'm paying for their food and they can afford that crap when I am looking to save $...Nice society. I really would love to speak up and tell them to put the garbage back and go pick up nutritious stuff since I'm paying for it, but we can't because these entitlement types really have a huge chip on their shoulders.

Missy if you are so bent over this, start handing out your own hard earned cash.
11/13/08 @ 07:49
Comment from: lawn jockey [Visitor]
come on-in the day and age of everything being computerized it would be real simple to put in codes of what can and can't be purchased with the food stamp card (or whatever the heck it's being called now) Simply code the cards to not allow the purchase of soda, ice cream, snack foods, cookies, etc. and only allow the purchase of produce, bread, milk, cheese, meats-you know the basics that are needed to survive.


Sorry Jessica-but you don't need to buy soda for your teens. It's all about choice and the price of soda is ridiculous-you'd find your food stamps would go much further if you chose wisely.
11/13/08 @ 07:53
Comment from: HAPPILY out of New Haven [Visitor]
I'm sure some of you can relate to this especially HOSED..when we were young and growing up my dad became ill and was out of work for quite a long time. He eventually become disabled and had to retire at a young age.
What did my mom do - she used her head and cooked smart.
How much does a pot of soup cost and how many meals can you get out of it?
Same applies to a pan of sauce. A few pounds of macaroni will feed many.
Shopping wisely instead of using expensive prepacked foods will certainly make a big difference in stretching your dollar. But that's where I think the problem lies....it's become a sense of "entitlement" rather then the "benefit" it should be considered.
11/13/08 @ 09:36
Comment from: Jessica [Visitor]
you are so right about that lawn jockey but I figure once in a great while get a 3 liter bottle of no frills diet soda at 89 cents would be an awesome surprise. I am so wrong I guess then huh. I understand what people are saying. I have seen people with food stamps buy shrimp and prime rib while I am buying all generic and dented cans. The day old stuff that is marked 50% off. and the bruised fruit and veggies cause the fresh ones are way to expensive. I don't buy cookies or things like that because 1 they aren't healthy or cheap and 2 there are diabetic's in the family. So don't come down on me like I buy junk all the time. Yeah they should put codes in to be able to buy only certain things. and yes Virgina I mean lawn jockey no more 3 liter bottles of soda ever.
11/13/08 @ 09:36
Comment from: inner city [Visitor]
I have seen this type of fraud a millions times. I work at a city store. Many people use their food stamps for items that they can resell for cash to buy drugs and alcohol. Did you know that RedBull can be bought with food stamps? Another common item is baby formula. It is disgusting. YOu would think that there would be a way to close these loopholes..
11/13/08 @ 09:40
Comment from: CtRedSoxFan [Visitor]
Red Bull - No, but Baby Formula I can see (although breast feeding is probably better, not everyone can do it) Happily is 100% correct-cook wisely. I personally don't use the prepackaged stuff because it saves me $. It would save me time-I work, so if I can do it then they can do it too.

Jessica-get over the pity party. Lawn Jockey was trying to make a point that soda is a poor choice. And really, in one breath you are complaining that your food stamps don't last you the month and the next you are saying you are buying a treat? Again, it's about choices...buy a big bag of flour, and sugar and some bruised apples and make a nice treat out of that-it will go further than that lousy bottle of soda. Shop wisely, think about it and you can stretch that food dollar.

BTW-I raised 3 kids on my own without the benefit of food stamps-how? I shopped wisely stretched the food budget.
11/13/08 @ 10:32
Comment from: nobama [Visitor]
food stamp fraud is rampant (actually its a silver ebt card). People trade food for drugs, cigarettes, ect. Some small stores also have scams in place that pay small amounts on the dollar.

When I was a cop we arrested a lot of people with the food stamp card who also had foxwoods and mohegan sun players club cards. God bless America.
11/13/08 @ 12:09
Comment from: jd [Visitor]
How about taking food stamps away from a single mom because she "FORGOT" to send in paper work but JUNKIES get more than her. My daughter got 30 a month but my junkie cousin who doesnt work because hes a junkie gets 130 per month. They took her measly 30 dollers away because they claim she forgot to send in the paper work. PLEASE her babies formula costs 25 a can ..
11/13/08 @ 12:25
Comment from: really [Visitor]
Jd-well you gotta follow the rules..apparently your junkie cousin did and your daughter didn't.
11/13/08 @ 12:33
Comment from: Bob [Visitor]
Unfortunately you have to base eligibility on income. No program is perfect and there will always be people that abuse it. The small few that abuse the system do not represent the whole. You could change the system and save a dollar but spend 2 dollars to do so. WIC is a completely different program. It’s for low to lower middle class. The income requirements are higher for WIC. You receive paper vouchers with an itemized list of what you can receive. For the parent that is on WIC it is a very embarrassing process at the checkout counter. The transaction usually requires a manager’s approval. This means that everyone in line must wait for manager. My experience is this can take 5 minutes, especially in the big box stores. I know parents that will not use there WIC checks because of this. I would like to see this program improve. On the other hand Food Stamps are no longer given in the form of a paper voucher. The money is put on an EBT card that can only be used certain stores as a credit transaction. Most people do not even know that the person in front of them in line is on state assistance. This EBT card helps to lower the stigma associated with welfare programs. The EBT food stamp card does not allow you to purchase prepared foods. I would also like to see items like soda and certain junk food added to the list of things you can not purchase with an EBT card. If the program can restrict people from buying prepared foods, it should be able to restrict items like soda.
11/13/08 @ 12:36
Comment from: CT Lifer [Visitor]
I also worked in a grocery store years ago. My co-workers, especially any cashiers, would try like heck to get the first Saturday of the month off because our store was in a city area and the food stamp people would overrun the store. After they ransacked the store, they'd pull their carts to the front overflowing with food. For the most part, you'd only see nationally branded items, never a single store label or generic item. You'd also never see a coupon! Quite aggravating. Even the richest of families from the burbs would arrive with a stack of coupons to save $0.20 on this, $0.10 on that, but when you're not working for your money the incentive to save vanishes.
11/13/08 @ 13:16
Comment from: Guy [Visitor]
Were I in this situation, I would've just given the guy 6 bucks to he didn't have to go through the trouble of doing all that. I probably would have given him 10, so he had extra cash, so then maybe he wouldn't spend his food stamps on junk.
11/13/08 @ 13:58
Comment from: lol [Visitor]
I was behind a lady with food stamps. All she had was soda, granola bars, chips, and ice cream.
Food stamps should be used for bread, milk, peanut butter, eggs,cheese, and meat, fruits and veggies.

Not only did this woman not have one nutricious item in her cart, but she had tips on her nails, and her hair done with extensions.
It must be nice to have the money to treat yourself to a manicure and hair appointment. I can't do any of these things because they take too much out of my check in taxes, taking care of these abusers. I resent this very much.
I am not begrudging those who really need these food stamps, but please be wise in your choices.
At every shopping trip I make, I have a fistfull of coupons, and never buy brand names.
Something has to be done.
11/13/08 @ 14:28
Comment from: Reader [Visitor]
I once saw a person buy a large birthday sheet cake at the grocery store with food stamps!
11/13/08 @ 14:42
Comment from: jeff [Visitor] Email
i think you missed my point here... here is a guy abusing a government hand-out...no differnt from an AIG corporate executive, Enron executive, or a Wall Street banker...they all are not using the government cash for the reason(s) they are issued it...i say we take care of $700 BILLION bucks before we worry about $7 dollars...

what is the bloody difference??? one abuser is rich and contributes to congressmen and presidents while the other one lives in a homeless shelter??? come on people!!!

Ted, btw, i'm with you...in senator joe McCarty days, i'd be locked up as a "comm-symp" and one of the best parties (food, booze, girls, vice party) was at a Communist owned bar in Salamanca Spain...
11/13/08 @ 15:15
Comment from: Elssie the cow's spokesperson [Visitor]
Jessica,
If you spend, or should I say the taxpayer spends $158.00 a month on milk, then you need to check your priorities. At $4.00 a gallon, that's enough for 39 gallons of milk a month. How in the h--- do you use 39 gallons a month unless you are using the food stamps and then selling the milk to others for cash? Milk at the convenience store is $2.99. Buy it there and use the food stamps for food. Also, learn how to make more than mac and cheese.
11/13/08 @ 16:40
Comment from: JJ [Visitor]
Jessica..No, I'm not going to rank on you, but if you have Diabetes in the family..PLEASE, soda has definately got to be a no-no, WAY too much sugar. The diet stuff is even worse, as it has chemicals in it. Also cross off the mac & cheese, except VERY occasionally especially if it is that boxed stuff, too much preservatives.

I know your probably having it pretty tough, so buy a large pk. of stew beef and make some stew, this is great weather for it, and it is fairly cheap to make, as are alot of homemade soups. Making a large pot of spaghetti sauce is alot more healthy as well, and pretty cheap. You can always freeze the sauce for another meal or two as well.

My husband is Diabetic, and when he was in the hospital 2 years ago for 3 weeks, he had so many meds. to take, especially Prednizone, that is played havoc with his sugar. They had to wind up giving him insulin shots, as it went so high, but when it went too low, they gave him milk. I asked the nurse why, and she told me, because it has a lot of sugar in it, so it would help raise his sugar when it was too low. I do my research, but that was a new one on me. I use 1% milk, and it has 12 grams of sugar per serving, so you need to go light on milk use as well.

There are a lot of recipe sites on the web for inexpensive meals, so please familiarize yourself with them for the health of your family, and also to help with your financial situation.

Hopefully you didn't take this wrong, as I am only trying to be a little helpful.
11/13/08 @ 19:22
Comment from: JJ [Visitor]
BTW...Jessica, your probably asking, if I shouldn't drink a lot of milk nor soda, what is the alternative. You can get a 6 pk. of Propel water at Wal Mart for about 3.00, put a capful or 2 in a glass of water and it tastes VERY good. They have all sorts of flavors, Kiwi Strawberry is our favorite, and there is only 4 grams of sugar in the entire 8 oz. bottle. Plus, it has vitamins in it, our drs. recommended it.

11/13/08 @ 19:37
Comment from: unbelievable [Visitor]
Iknow ive seen little markets allow food stamps for cigs,beer,ect,What i don't understand is if some one needs it to get by because of a divorce or something,why are all these single woman who can work on it for years their kids are in school during the day,There is no reason why they can't get a job,Well now job's are tough because of the economy,but why let someone stay on it for years.
11/13/08 @ 20:45
Comment from: annoyed [Visitor]
What really gets me is people on welfare and section 8 driving brandnew cars carrying REAL coach bags and just totally wasting their assistance. I think they need to start investigating people to see how they live todetermine if they really qualify or not.
11/13/08 @ 23:20
Comment from: Mom in Southern CT [Visitor]
Besides my illness with food stamps, I get tired of having beggars beg for money on the street. There is actually one guy who will accept a cup of coffee, so I'm okay with that, but there are "regulars" who are out on the streets every day.

I will say that I'm lucky to have my husband's insurance (through a town) cause I saw that if I used my company's insurance, it would cost me $863 a month. If it got to that point, I would either (a) go on welfare; or (b) put my kids on the Husky Plan, cause there's no way in hell . . .

I grew up in a lower middle-class family, and yes, my mom used to buy powdered milk, no soda, cheaper items, etc., to help us get by, so I'm sure that people could be more frugal - that idea about watering down the Propel was a good idea.
11/14/08 @ 07:23
Comment from: JJ [Visitor]
Mom in SC...Yup, alot of us grew up with that lousy powdered milk. My dad died when I was 3, so mom was a single working mom, and it was tough.

I remember our neighbors had to get Welfare for a couple of years due to the dad having a serious operation, but they got vouchers, NO money. The rent was paid to the landlord directly, and the vouchers were for certain stores for food and clothes. You couldn't own a car, or even a phone. If you needed to make a call, you either went to the neighbors, or the corner store to use one.

I don't mind folks who really need assistance, but have seen a few that drive pretty nice cars, have plasma tvs, and a few othe nice goodies.

As far as the Propel, we really like it mixed in with water, as I refuse to drink those juicy fruity things, and we need to stay away from sugary things.

Like you, I don't give to folks begging. We don't see many around here, but years ago there was a fellow in the downtown area that use to. I was stopped for a light one time, he asked if I could spare a 5 dollar bill, and when I said NO, he called me a stuck up B****. Hmmmm, that cured me.

11/14/08 @ 11:03
Comment from: Robin Hood [Visitor]
There sould be no way NO WAY anyone could buy soda with food stamps

what ass ok'd that?????????

you should be able to buy food, real food, no snacks, candy, cigarettes, booze, ice cream, NONE OF IT

if you are on food stamps you should be in survival mode AND the govt should be making sure that OUR money is spent WISELY

ugg
11/14/08 @ 13:21
Comment from: dried up [Visitor]
I work at a grocery store, so I see all the fraud that goes on. They sell these EBT cards to people for cash. Then they report the cards lost or stolen so that next month they can do the same thing.

You can tell the families who are not abusing the systems from the ones who are. I have one mother that comes in every month. She's buying up all the dented cans that are 50 percent off, buying all the neccesarry staples, flour, milk, bread, and all the good wholesome foods. She makes her money stretch as much as she can. Then you have the other family that comes in buying all prepared foods, steaks, ect. Her kid came up with a box of Corn Flakes, and she has the guts to say to the kid, sorry, don't have enough money. Huh? I'd buy my kid two boxes of Corn Flakes before I'd buy a steak. Isn't it supposed to be for the kids?

Wic has it's own flaws too. They shouldn't allow the powerdered versions because drug dealers will buy the formula to cut their cocaine with. I even had one lady come up with a more expensive formula than Wic allows, and she exclaimed that she wouldn't use the cheaper formula because it's for scuzzies. Excuse me then, GET A JOB then!!!!
11/14/08 @ 15:01
Comment from: Mom in Southern CT [Visitor]
Oh, please. I always used the powdered formula. It was so much cheaper. The only time I ever used the prepared stuff was if I was on an airplane or some other place where it's hard to mix.
11/14/08 @ 18:18
Comment from: missy [Visitor]
HEY CTREDSOXFAN,

FIRST OF ALL YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO ADMIT THAT YOU ARE A RED SOX FAN. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY I MENTIONED THAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE OUT MONEY OR ACCEPTS GIFTS OR WE WILL BE FIRED. SO YES IF I WERE IN A DIFFERENT FIELD I WOULD HELP PEOPLE WITH MY OWN CASH BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY I WAS RAISED. NOONE, CERTAINLY NOT ME ASKED YOU TO GIVE ANYONE CASH OUT OF YOUR POCKET STUPID. NOONE CARES WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR DISPOSABLE INCOME KEEP IT! FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF AND SLEEP WELL. I WANT EVERYONE TO HAVE THEIR NEEDS MET. SO LOSER, TAKE CARE OF YOU AND YOUR OWN THAT'S FINE BUT DON'T KNOCK SOMEONE ELSE WHO WANTS TO HELP. WHY DOES MY DESIRE TO HELP SOMEONE BOTHER YOU? I AM A SINGLE PARENT AND GIVE WHAT I CAN-THAT'S MY BUSINESS,MIND YOUR OWN.
11/14/08 @ 22:20
Comment from: MISSY [Visitor]
HEY DRIED UP,

GIVE THEM A JOB!!!OFFER!!


WHAT A JOKE THIS IS, YOU SEEM TO ONLY CARE ABOUT THE PROBLEM NOT THE SOLUTION.

PEOPLE MANAGE TO ABUSE PROGRAMS AND CHEAT EVERYWHERE FROM FOOD STAMPS TO INSIDER TRADING, OFFICIALS ACCEPTING HOME REPAIRS AND BRIBES FOR POLITICAL FAVORS. WHERE ARE ALL OF YOU WHEN IT'S TIME TO FORM SOLUTIONS, FOCUS GROUPS OR ANY VIABLE REMEDIES. I WISH I COULD GET A BAILOUT ON MY BILLS.
11/14/08 @ 22:29
Comment from: mick [Visitor]
Jeff is right. Instead of going after a dozen or a hundred or a thousand of these cheats scamming us hard-working taxpayers for $6, use your breath to complain about the corporations scamming us for $7 billion! You'd have to find a billion of these little cheats to equal what one corporation gets. How about our politicians? Let's see an investigative story about what they really "earn" - not just their 6 figure salary but all the perks - health care, pension, office staff, office space, franking privileges, etc. Total it all up and let us know what each of them costs. And then they can just skip out for 2 years like Lieberman did following McCain around and there's NOTHING we can do about it! Look that up! No way to recall or remove a Senator. I don't know how much Joe may or may not have done for us the past 2 years, but my point is that he or Dodd or any of them can just go fishing, take expensive trips on us, and NEVER SHOW UP FOR WORK for months or their entire term and there's NOTHING we can do about it! Maybe we should close that little loophole?

I think the restrictions on what you can buy with food stamps are good ideas but I doubt they'd be enforced any more than the use of cell phones while driving is.

And, as many have pointed out, what the poor really need is some instruction on how to spend wisely. It's not so much a sense of entitlement as it is that they think EVERYONE has a cell phone and cable and HBO and internet. I know plenty of well-off people don't have one or more of those things because they know they're not worth the money.

But start at the top and get the big wasters first.
11/14/08 @ 23:35
Comment from: Ramona [Visitor]
I have seen this abuse a lot. Buying foods that I can't afford. Jessica if you are on food stamps, how did you get a computer to do all thes e-mailing????. not everybody rakes this system but I have seen many do it. where can I sign up????
11/15/08 @ 04:38
Comment from: dried up [Visitor]
Missy,
Get of your high horse. Don't tell me I'm not part of the solution. I'd rather help out the working poor who cannot get the help they need because they are working. These are the one's who can't get food stamp assistance because they work and are trying to make life better for themselves. 4 years ago, I started packing up food items for Thanksgiving to give to a neighborhood family in need. This single mother who worked two jobs to put a roof over her families head and food on the table couldn't get no type of assistance because, she made 100 dollars too much a month to recieve any type of help. Her husband was killed by a drunk driver with no insurance. Since that first year, other neighbors heard what I have done and offered their help. This year we are feeding 6 families in our neighborhood that need our help. People on food stamps can go and buy a turkey with their stamps. Hard working people like the ones we help actually have bills they need to pay, like heating bills that food stamp people can get help with.

I have no problems helping people who are willing to try and help themselves. But if you look at the total amount of abuse that is going on with the welfare system, I'm sure it would far exceed the 7 billion bailout.

And why is it that there are some food stamp assistance people out there that can afford to buy drugs? Make a drug test requirement part of the paperwork. If they can afford to buy drugs, they don't need my tax money.
11/15/08 @ 07:23
Comment from: Mom in Southern CT [Visitor]
Many good points here. I'm a Democrat, but I'm sick and tired of Joe Lieberman. He only ran independently cause he loves the perks of that job, and would find them nowhere else. Even in a law firm, lawyers have to show up for work and can't be out fishing. I hope they go after him.

The other sickening one is John Rowland who is running for mayor of Waterbury apparently. Those people are dang fools if they elect this man. And I agree one of his problems was letting the kooks in the nursing homes. My mentally-retarded sister was in there, and I had to get her out of there cause there was a drug addict who was wrongly placed there who was trying to take advantage of her.
11/15/08 @ 09:54
Comment from: MISSY [Visitor]
excuse me dried up,

THE WORKING POOR DO GET FOOD STAMPS THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE I AM CONCERNED ABOUT DIPSTICK. I CAN'T EVEN AFFORD A HIGH HORSE- BUT I BET YOU COULD. JUST BECAUSE A PERSON RECEIVES SNAP BENEFITS DOES NOT MEAN IT'S ILLEGAL TO HAVE A COMPUTER. I'M NOT SURPRISED YOU HELP PEOPLE ON THANKSGIVING BECAUSE OF COURSE THE OTHER 364 DAYS OF THE YEAR THESE PEOPLE HAVE WONDERFUL MEALS. TRY SERVING FOOD AT SOUP KITCHEN ALL YEAR.
11/15/08 @ 11:52
Comment from: dried up [Visitor]
If you can afford a computer, you can afford to buy your own damn food. Lazy ass
11/15/08 @ 14:14
Comment from: MC Bigot [Visitor]
This is what happens in New Haven-

Chick gets knocked up- father of the kid goes to jail. I pay to prosecute the father, then I pay to incarcerate him. Then I pay for the babies momma free rent. And her food stamps. And her welfare. Then I'm asked to give to the food bank so she could blow her welfare money at the club and the new lil' wayne cd. I have to clothe her kids. I have to pay her kids the teachers salary because you know damn well she isn't paying any taxes.

In the interest of full disclosure,
I have a family member collecting entitlements. Had it good, well educated, good job, but wanted to be a party animal and went off the deep end. Loser.

Its time to give America back to the people who work every day. And we can start by putting Obama rubber stamp Rosa Delauro out to pasture in a few years.


And by the way Ted- thanks for the post. It took guts. Best thing to do though is for you to not go back and forth with people on here, in all honesty it isn't worth it for a man in your position.
11/16/08 @ 10:05
Comment from: R. Malenfant [Visitor]
Just look at the the majority that calls the inner sections of New Haven home. Most of these people are recieving entitlements of some type from the state. Rell want to make budget cuts, look no further.
11/16/08 @ 14:06
Comment from: Michael [Visitor]
In the past I have been both unemployed and homeless. With 4 children to feed at the time it was nessasary to get food stamps for a period of time. I had no car at the time so transportation was an issue as well. We were thankful for all that we got and used it wisely. My children thankfully never went hungry. I spent a minimum of 8 hours a day looking for work, not sitting around reading want ads but actually going out and filling applications. I had gone from making 50K a year as a computer tech to 0 overnight thanks to defense downsizing in the early 90's. I started over from scratch at 5.25 an hour washing dishes 3rd shift at IHOP. Today I've worked my way up to where I was before but especially in todays economy I realize how quickly ones fortunes can change. I have the greastest sympathy for those in need for I have been there myself, on the other hand I have on tolerance for those who abuse the system. As for the idiot buying soda to cash in cans, he should spend some time digging through garbage if he needs cans to cash in. It's a far more respectible way of getting cash.
11/17/08 @ 04:23
Comment from: Melissa [Visitor]
That really upsets me because I can't even get food stamps. I lost my job due to health problems and I can't feed my 2 kids. The government says my husband makes to much money to help us. About $300 dollars a week. So my family has been buying us food whenever they can but a lot of the time my poor kids have to eat peanut butter and jelly and my husband and I skip meals. I can't even remember the last time we actually had a good meal. I hope that guy really thinks about what he is doing next time but unfortunately people like that don't seem to care.
11/17/08 @ 05:59
Comment from: ppm [Visitor]
how you going to say that they should allow people with foodstamps buy certain food, you are miserable nothing else to do with your life look around you its a like of things going on that we cant control dont worry about him he will reap what he sow
11/17/08 @ 07:33
Comment from: ppm [Visitor]
how you going to say that they should allow people with foodstamps buy certain food, you are miserable nothing else to do with your life look around you its a lot of things going on that we cant control dont worry about him he will reap what he sow
11/17/08 @ 07:35
Comment from: Starving in Ansonia [Visitor]
I guess that woman NEVER needed any cash, has a loving husband who works 30 + hours and gets a 80+ hour paycheck, has a lovely home, and a brand new car, and never has to worry about " whats for dinner mom, or I need school book fair money mom, you should leave worrying about food stamp fraud to the professionals, I for one am a single mom pay waaay to much rent, have to get to two jobs, have to pay for school lumch, as well as uniforms, shoes and the list goes on and on, and I am NOT eligible for anything. Sure he redeems is cans, empty Im sure, unless the magical store you shop at takes full cans and passes them on to the needy. You must be a hoot around x-mas, and maybe God would like to see your Charitable works.
11/17/08 @ 13:07
Comment from: Robin Hood [Visitor]
mom

please tell me Rowland is not running for office

I thought convicted felons were banned
11/17/08 @ 13:18
Comment from: calstudent [Visitor]
What are you trying to do, create some kind of class warfare? People can tell other people what kind of products they can consume, just because they are more economicly advantaged? i sure as heck don't want to live in that kind of country.
Besides whether the money is spent on oranges or orange soda, its just as spent. Get over it.
11/18/08 @ 15:56
Comment from: The Shadow [Visitor]
calstudent: Some day, when you're all 'growed' up ... you will understand. We are talking about people who want free handouts, paid for by other hard working people.

Whether it's for food or housing ... there are (and should be) rules and restrictions. I don't mind helping those who REALLY need help ... but I don't want my tax dollars given to some sterno bum, so he can buy another bottle of Thunderbird.
11/18/08 @ 16:14
Comment from: STN/ENO,MacDonald,Glenna [Visitor]
If Morton Downey Jr.were alive and heard you say that he would make mince meat out of you.
Have you ever taken the governments money or a check and spent it on anything not nutritious,your as guilty as the fella with the cans.
Ever wonder why the poor have diabeties,something wrong with steak?for the poor!
I think if you were so poor that you had to be on food stamps you may like a soda once and awhile,why be punished for being on food stamps,and I am on food stamps and I will make sure to buy a case of soda next time I go you made me thirsty thinking I will be deprived.
In desperate times people do desperate things.
If you needed medicine to save your Mothers life and it took 6 dollars and you have the oppourtunity,would you?Don`t guilt trip folk who were caught in the wheel of poverty.
You may want to walk a mile in his shoes,think you could?
I think you would do better with a sign on wall street and march there.
Don`t blame food stamp recipitants for your Governments failiers of unemployment.
Poor food stamp recipitant should not be deprived any craving of food or soda they want,you sound like a meanie Ted,or grouch from sesame street,go cookie monster for a month.
Guess what, you can eat a cookie and drink a soda and it wont kill you I have done it before,it is safe,excess in anything will kill you!
~Peace Glenna~
11/23/08 @ 12:25
Comment from: spestrp [Visitor]
i would just like to make a point that I hope you all would understand, I do not agree with the original blog about not being able to buy steaks, shrimp and whatever else he said. I feel that the welfare system is taken advantage of so badly, however, what do you do if you are used to eating a certain way for your entire life? What happens if the food you used to buy you can no longer afford? Are you just supposed to start eating crap b/c you are having money issues? Thats my case. My husband lost his job while i was on maternity leave (with our only child). We were hardly bringing in anything at all for some time. Yes we did have to go on assistance, the only thing we were eligible for were food stamps, we somehow make too much money for anything else. I did buy steak and shrimp, things we were used to having. I think there is nothing wrong with that.

What I do think is wrong is that the single mother with 5 children to different fathers refuses to get off her ass and work so she doesnt have to be on welfare! Guarenteed this person send her kids to daycare for $20 a month or some ridiculous amount, while she sits at home or goes shopping. I have seen it, I know people who do it. Meanwhile, my husband and I (who have been married for 5 yrs) all of sudden need some financial help (which we only stayed on for 2 months) and get ridiculed because of the welare abusers. We did things right and hit a bad time financially. IT happens.
11/25/08 @ 23:29
Comment from: STN/ENO,MacDonald,Glenna [Visitor]
I am now being harassed by The Department of social service,they want proof of the criteria to be eligible for food stamp by the 7th of December and I just recived the letter in the mail today,how stratigic was that,here it is the weekend no busniess days for me to place calls to these places to send me statements so I can send them to the department,you would think they would consider I have been sitting in this wheelchair for 14 years with a broken leg and they have been operating on it for the past year to get me going,no unmercyfully they must have read my metaphores and said lets go pick on the old lady in the wheelchair and see if we can cancel her food stamps instead of asking ted for a decription of the can man,report these things to Welefare fraud not this town meeting blog where we don`t know the rules of the system.
Harassed you say,yeah I just had a redetirmination,sent everything in to meet my criteria,was accepted and today I recive a letter and if I don`t have it all in by the 7th which is a saturday,I am cancled.
My current bills arn`t even here yet.
I have no car to take them to the post office to get a head start.
Funny how before my accident while all you all were sleeping I helped build this society to have it eff me in the end,so I said to God I am not praying for your children anymore,by tonight I am shure I will change my mind.~Peace Glenna~
11/28/08 @ 18:14
Comment from: Tim [Visitor]
I work in a grocery store and see this kind of thing happen every day. People buy the food then go and buy beer and cigarettes. It’s disgusting that we work hard for our money when people take it from us in taxes just so then smoke and drink. Also the amount of these people that will buy $30-$40 worth of lobsters on the EBT cards!!
And WIC isn’t so great either, people try and buy Jalapeño cheese. I always want ask: "Are your kids going to eat that??" Isn’t that what this program is really for!!
12/26/08 @ 21:49
Comment from: STN/ENO,MacDonald,Glenna [Visitor]
What are misfortunate folk suppose to eat,I have seen elderly go to the pet isle and buy cat food for tuna in my day,it is all feces in the end,so back off.~Peace Glenna~
12/26/08 @ 22:16
Comment from: crusader4mentallychallenged [Visitor] Email
Food stamps should be for food and for those who are elligible. Case Workers and Care Givers who rip off the mentally challenged should burn in Hell no question! The system needs to watch out for that evil, and root out those poisonous scum who decive the system, and rip off the innocent who cannnot help themselves. The food stamps are not your's you scum bag Case Workers, they are for the person whose name is on the Welfare ACCESS card you are stealing from!!!!!
04/13/09 @ 15:20
Comment from: ST.N/ENO GLENNA MACDONALD [Visitor]
Here is one for your crusade.
I watched a case worker take something from my table and put it in her pocket.
So to see if she was a lier too I said did you just take blank off the table and put it in your pocket,she said no,I said I just saw you,she said oh and laughed,I didn`t think it was funny,so I fired her and called her supervisor.
She belongs with Madoff,so do I for stealing my own rites from myself.
You know what our rites are if we catch someone stealing in our home,now don`t you.
~Peace Glenna~p.s. It may have been a pack of cinnamin gum,but I was looking at the principal of the whole thing.
04/13/09 @ 16:13
Comment from: Sonya [Visitor]
Just wanted to say just because you get food stamps does not mean you are not a taxpayer.
10/24/09 @ 22:27
Comment from: Delmar [Visitor] · http://www.rapidskunk.com
You mentioned some interesting points, I was actually referred here by a friend of mine. Defaintely good info.
04/22/10 @ 12:13
Comment from: Sherri [Visitor]
***--
I too have seen people buy sugar laden cereals, soda, and cookies. I have also seen them buy canned goods high in salt along with garbage TV dinners. I have also seen people buy the finest cuts of beef and seafood. What would I buy if I had food stamps? Irish oatmeal, milk, bread, fruit and vegetables from the farmer's
market, barley, lentils. bagged beans, chicken, beef. fish, chops, mineral water, tea. I am certain that that grocery list would anger those who think I should have nothing but gruel. Damned if you buy crap, damned if you boy upscale food with the food stamps.
08/09/10 @ 09:16
Comment from: sick of it [Visitor]
So sad when people think that only the "worthy" in society get to eat the finest cuts of meat.I've worked in a social services agency for 13 years and know first hand that not all of the "unworthy" people use the system incorrectly. It is the inequities of our society and attitudes of people that establish who should be able to eat the finest cuts of meat.I'm not paid a high salary for the work that I do and cannot afford the finest cuts of meat but unlike you do not whine and point fingers at food stamp recipients that buy them. Tsk, tsk, we're Americans now.
08/10/10 @ 10:08
Comment from: just really tired [Visitor]
***--
I agree not everybody is ripping off the government, some do really need the help .On the otherhand it just makes me want to say WTF when I see how many I know who are personally doing it. My husband lost his job and I have supported us for a year and a half now and have watched them lie and get more asstiance than I make in 3 weeks. But they won't work ,they can't pass a drug test and they eat much better than my family.While we eat peanut butter and jelly they eat steak and drink beer and wake up at noon. It's not fair that Im changin my flat tire to go to work and they sit in nail salons and wont lift a finger to work. There has to be some fair checks and balances some where
08/17/10 @ 22:57
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