Snap EBT/EBT, WICK, Food Stamps.
I hate the attacks happening on food programs currently.
It's based around the idea that 'junk foods' shouldn't be covered by these programs, especially when they need tax dollars to work, people 'abuse' them, & that people should use their own money to buy them.
Here's the thing- The people talking about these programs have never used these programs before & don't fully understand them.
1, Tax Dollars:
People who use these programs still have to pay federal & state taxes. When purchasing food, the taxes are covered by the programs, thus feeding back into said programs. The money from purchases made with these programs goes right back into the economy as the method used functions similarly like a debit card. This means it directly goes to paychecks of employees & the expenses of the store, both of which, again, are taxed & feed back into the programs.
2, Abuse:
This won't fix any form of abuse or fraud- It punishes everyone, including the majority that actually need it for survival. The process of applying & approval isn't easy- You have to provide bank statements, employment statements, banking information, any/all assets, bills/expenses, etc- You have to under go either an in-person or phone interview. The amount you get is decided on a case-by-case basis & you only get so much each month. Anytime the government shuts down, these payments drop dramatically, your benefits will automatically deactivate if enough time has past without use, & you aren't warned for inactivity. Meaning if you have an extended hospital stay, you could lose your benefits & reapplying can be just as, if not more, difficult. If stopping fraud was the actual goal, they could just take the original system, strip it down to a framework, & rebuild it to better stop fraud- All while keeping the current system temporarily in place until the new system is tested & completed.
3, Personal Funds:
Those who use these programs often cannot afford these 'junk foods' out of pocket- Money stretched too tight between necessary expenses like electricity, gas, & water, etc. This means that without it, families cannot buy things like cake & ice cream for birthdays. People with chronic low blood sugar cannot buy sugar rich foods that can fit within their bags for portability, like a candy bar for example- Depending on the severity & amount of medical intervention, something like a granola bar may not be enough. Drivers & 3rd shift employees cannot buy caffeine rich drinks like bottled convenience store coffee & energy drinks. While admittingly these aren't very good for you, it's better than the alternatives of gas station caffeine pills or similar methods. Parents cannot buy anything considered as junk food as a reward for their children, like a cake for getting straight A's for a semester.
They don't mention the current existing restrictions on these programs.
You cannot use them at restaurants, on pre-made/hot foods like a 7/11 hot dog or Walmart chicken, on alcohol (I agree with this one), on food deliveries, or in certain stores at all. You must use them regularly & report any changes to employment, housing, & expenses or they get deactivated immediately & depending on the cause, it can be without warning. Applying & reapplying is difficult. Your submission for re-application be denied dispite your financial situation not changing. They don't mention any healthy food programs like the token exchange at the local farmers market.
Where's the cut off?
Just the term 'junk food' without clarification will lead to chaos. What you can & cannot buy can already be a game of trial & error with the current system in place. Without a proper definition, arguments will brake out & it can drift, thus affecting more & more food items, & causing a massive loss of sales.
I use these programs & have first hand experience dealing with these restrictions & ccomplications. I cannot work currently due to diagnosed disabilities. I have diagnosed chronic low blood sugar. Each year I've payed taxes & will continue to do so until I either die or reach an age where I don't have to anymore. I cannot abuse the system as I've been diagnosed with disabilities & my records are well documented within their files for verification, & have been for years. I CANNOT pay out of pocket as my accounts have been drained these past 11 months by medical related expenses.
Changes without reform will only harm those in actual need.
