As of Thursday, February 21, 2013
© Copyright 2013
Rockdale Citizen
COVINGTON -- State Rep. Andy Welch, R-McDonough, has announced the introduction of House Bill 138, that would limit the use of Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT, cards.
The legislation would place congressionally mandated restrictions on the use of EBT cards that are provided through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
"HB 138 is designed to reduce fraud and misuse of TANF funds for purposes that in no way benefit the families and children who desperately need public assistance," said Welch.
HB 138 would prevent TANF recipients from using EBT cards at certain retail establishments, including liquor stores and adult entertainment establishments. It would also prevent TANF recipients from using their EBT cards to withdraw cash from an ATM or retail establishment.
In addition to limiting where EBT cards may be used, HB 138 limits what an EBT card may be used to purchase. The legislation would prohibit EBT cards from being used to purchase lottery tickets, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, pornographic materials, firearms and ammunition, vacation services, tattoos or body piercings, jewelry, salon services, gambling and gift cards. HB 138 would also prohibit using an EBT card to pay fines, fees, bail or bail bonds to any government entity.
HB 138 also requires the Georgia Department of Human Services to establish a toll-free phone number and a website for reporting violations of these provisions. The toll-free phone number and website would have to be operational by December 1. Retail establishments that accept TANF payment would also be required to post a sign at each register listing all the products prohibited from being purchased with EBT cards, along with the phone number and website for reporting violations. These establishments must also keep receipts of all purchases made with EBT cards for 180 days.
If enacted into law, any retail establishment found in violation of any part of HB 138 would be subject to penalties established by the Georgia Department of Human Resources, which may include fines or a suspension or prohibition from accepting TANF payments. The department would also be empowered to reduce TANF benefits by 25 percent to any recipient who violates this legislation for the first time and to terminate benefits upon a recipient's second violation within a time period to be determined by the Department of Human Resources.
Finally, this legislation requires the department to take necessary steps to establish and enforce policies aimed at preventing improper use of EBT cards.
TANF is a federal block grant program that allows states to provide cash assistance through the issuance of EBT cards to qualifying low income families with children. The program was created by the federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act in 1996 to provide temporary financial assistance and help beneficiaries find employment. Congress attempted to prevent abuse of the program by approving the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. This federal legislation requires states with TANF programs to establish policies and procedures that prohibit the use of benefit cards at certain establishments and for certain purposes. It also penalizes states that do not comply with the Act. HB 138 was introduced to bring Georgia into compliance with this federal statute.
Welch represents the citizens of District 110, which includes portions of Butts, Henry and Newton counties.
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Comments
Turbo 3 months ago
It's about time !!! I work in a local grocery store and people can use there EBT card to buy $600 wedding cakes !!
heresyafacts 3 months ago
If passed, it will only be as good as its enforcement.
I have heard of certain chain stores in our county allowing the purchase of -- with WIC, EBT or TANF cards -- items that are supposedly not allowed, simply because the welfare cheats haughtily ask to see the manager whenever a cashier refuses to make the sale.
The manager then allows the purchase because the company, fearing bad press or lawsuits or whatever, will actually demote or fire managers for NOT allowing the fraud to take place.
The penalties must be severe enough that the retail establishments fear them more than the loudmouth freeloaders standing at the register -- that's the only way it will work, b/c good luck stopping benefits to some 'needy' violator, esp if the cheater has children.
AWOL 3 months ago
this sounds good but did no one forsee this problem when the EBT cards were issued? who is making these idiotic decisions?
Rob 3 months ago
I work in wholesale foods and am in multiple convenient stores every day making deliveries. The abuse I see EVERY single day is beyond astonishing. It's hard to believe these people are even allowed to make these purchases in the first place! And we wonder why the country is broke? 50% of us work so the other 50% can free load. The insanity has to stop somewhere.
Lorenzo 3 months ago
It's amazing that these rules were not in place from the beginning. What brought the U.S. to the point where a group of politicians got together and decided they could regulate and monitor a program that gave money to essentially anyone who asks? How can our elected officials do this and then tell me that my taxes are going up again this year? Sometimes the only thing that keeps me working and self-sufficient is stubborn pride. It would be easy to slip into the ranks of the money grabbers that have become dependent on social services.
Elmo 3 months ago
The government commits the worst fraud with EBT cards...they buy VOTES with them, sometimes multiple votes from the same person.
It's simple redistribution of wealth, the people who produce pay the bill for these programs for the people who don't produce, in exchange for votes.
Elected officials who use taxpayer money to buy votes should receive long prison sentences in prison.
The only thing "free money" motivates is spending it, and the demand for more. Give a mouse a cookie, he'll want a glass of milk.
Next, we need to demand drug testing for those on the public dole; if the rest of us have to be drug tested to get a job to furnish the free money, those receiving it should have at least the same requirement.
superman 3 months ago
And the cost of the drug testing should come out of the money they would have been supplied! I don't know how much a drug test cost, but if someone were getting $1,000 you deduct the drug test costs from the amount. Sort of like an insurance deductible.
Clark 3 months ago
Or better yet, you require them to pay out of pocket for every positive drug test.
superman 3 months ago
Furthermore, I'd like to see a photograph of the person who the EBT card is assigned printed on the card to ensure the recipients of the EBT cards are not selling them or trading them. If someone is unable to leave their home to use the EBT card and are deemed handicap they should get a special card that allows someone else to make purchases on their behalf.
Elmo 3 months ago
I've been approached twice in Rockdale, in grocery stores, by people trying to sell me their EBT cards, it's become a cottage industry with taxpayers footing the bill.
heresyafacts 3 months ago
BMI should be calculated before you get food stamps, anyway. Anything over a 19, you're not starving yet.
Elmo 3 months ago
It's amazing how the media is alarmed at the "starving poor" right after they report a sky-is-falling story about the nations obesity epidemic.
Meanwhile big city mayors are banning soft drinks and school cafeterias nationwide are cutting portions as the kids are throwing away thousands of dollars in the "health" food, thanks to the vacationer-in-chief.
We're told so many lies daily, it's almost impossible to watch the news.
Clark 3 months ago
So you're going to starve people and put them in the hospital because they lose too much weight too fast because they were starved? Not to mention that BMI's normal range goes up to 24.9.
Elmo 3 months ago
Clark, you remind me of the cowboy who jumps on his horse and rides off in all directions.
Very few of your posts make much sense, but should at least make them somewhat relevant to the subject at hand.
Or, are just trying to impress us with your educational prowess?
Clark 3 months ago
I'm sorry that basic English appears to fail you. I was responding to heresyafacts and not you. Despite what you and your over-inflated ego may think, you're not the center of this site.
Elmo 2 months, 4 weeks ago
I know, if I ran this site, you'd be gone.
heresyafacts 2 months, 4 weeks ago
The cost will be offset by a rapid decline in diabetic treatments, so taxpayers will come out ahead. Although judging by what I've seen in EBT carts, you'd see a sharp decline in sales of 3 liter full sugar Coke and Oreos.
maryinga 3 months ago
One day I was at a convience store and a lady in front of me had 2 gallons of milk. When she was ready to check out she wanted $50 in lottery tickets. The cashier added her total and told her. She then stated that she wants to use the EBT for the milk!!! Really!!! You should have heard all the moans behind me....as well as mine!! Was she getting the tickets for someone else? Maybe. Doubtful. Yes, my tax dollars at work!!
heresyafacts 2 months, 4 weeks ago
I see this kind of thing far too often. Along with women buying a cartload of groceries while the men follow, buying $100-200 worth of beer, steaks and cigarettes. When money was tight in my life, I prioritized and budgeted; I never sought out government assistance. When you make it so easy to become a dependent, the majority of those getting the assistance take it for granted and see no reason to work harder, get ahead and get off of it.
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