No More Bridge Card For ATM's At Gambling Sites and Stripper Clubs : BOO HOO

**MizMotown** · October-30-13, 11:02 AM

http://www.freep.com/article/20131022/NEWS06/310220127/

really? no sh*t.

That is one system that needs a serious overhaul!!!!!! Most folks that I'm aware that have them are abusing them. I understand there are folks who need food assistance but this is basically a joke on the taxpayers in too many cases. There are folks making a good income with food assistance while working legitamately or under the table in some fashion.

I will never understand why they can be used in gas stations and liquor stores anyway. Who let gas stations become "grocery stores?" So you can buy your kids chips, pop, and candy?

Why not ZERO tolerance for violators????

The Office of Inspector General Benefit Trafficking Unit [[BTU) investigates instances of public assistance trafficking in which individuals are buying and selling benefits for cash or ineligible items including: tobacco, alcohol, firearms, drugs and gambling. Violations of the Food Assistance Program occur when food assistance is redeemed for cash, offered for sale in person or on the internet, or when unauthorized items are bought or sold. Individuals who intentionally violate the Food Assistance Program are disqualified for a period of 12 months for the first offense, 24 months for the second offense and permanently for the third offense.
Some retailers violate the Food Assistance Program by accepting food assistance for cash at less than par value or for unauthorized items such as tobacco, alcohol, etc

**Jimaz** · October-30-13, 11:42 AM

I'm skeptical.

Nowhere in the story was the scope of the problem mentioned. I'm sure there's some shady dealing going on but how bad is it really?

Is this a solution looking for a problem?

**Johnnny5** · November-01-13, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

I'm skeptical.

Nowhere in the story was the scope of the problem mentioned. I'm sure there's some shady dealing going on but how bad is it really?

Is this a solution looking for a problem?

IMO it really doesn't matter if it's a major problem or not. The battle to ban EBT card use in these locations is something that should not even have been necessary in the first place. What possible argument can be made for allowing ATM withdrawals at casinos and strip clubs?

__________________________________________________ ____________________________________________Over the years government food assistance has transitioned from a program that supplied food directly to the needy, to a bloated bureaucracy that lines the pockets of for profit businesses almost as much as it helps those in need. The banks taking fees at the ATMs, major super market chains accepting EBT cards for high priced prepared foods and small urban stores charging inflated prices for just about anything. Food assistance for those in need is a good thing and only the heartless would be opposed to it, but the way it's being run is an embarrassing waste.

**Danny** · November-01-13, 03:12 PM

YAY! Bridge cards should be used to buy food, not a 'Diner's Club International' card.

**noise** · November-04-13, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by Johnnny5

IMO it really doesn't matter if it's a major problem or not.

Food assistance for those in need is a good thing and only the heartless would be opposed to it, but the way it's being run is an embarrassing waste.

These two statements are at odds with one another.

**Johnnny5** · November-05-13, 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by noise

These two statements are at odds with one another.

No they are not.... Allowing these abuses to continue is just giving a supporting argument for those that think everyone on food assistance is a lazy, no good scam artist. Even if only a miniscule number of people are abusing the system in this way, what benefit is there in defending the status quo that allows them to do so?

**jerrytimes** · November-13-13, 12:20 AM

I'm sorry, but you shouldn't be able to withdraw cash from these cards. I'm all about helping people in need, but you know the fact that it can be used as an ATM card will cause problems.

**noise** · November-13-13, 08:56 AM

Originally Posted by Johnnny5

No they are not.... Allowing these abuses to continue is just giving a supporting argument for those that think everyone on food assistance is a lazy, no good scam artist. Even if only a miniscule number of people are abusing the system in this way, what benefit is there in defending the status quo that allows them to do so?

You're okay with the cost of implementing a solution costing more than the problem as it stands?

**Johnnny5** · November-13-13, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by noise

You're okay with the cost of implementing a solution costing more than the problem as it stands?

What costs would there be for the State to implement this? Sending letters to these businesses to inform them of the new law? There may be some minor costs involved in these businesses reprogramming their ATM machines, but the State would not be paying those and I can't imagine those charges would be very high. To me defending the current system that allows ATM use in these locations is defending an obvious failure just because one doesn't want the other side to score a "win".

**noise** · November-13-13, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Johnnny5

What costs would there be for the State to implement this? Sending letters to these businesses to inform them of the new law? There may be some minor costs involved in these businesses reprogramming their ATM machines, but the State would not be paying those and I can't imagine those charges would be very high. To me defending the current system that allows ATM use in these locations is defending an obvious failure just because one doesn't want the other side to score a "win".

What's the other side? What side are you implying I'm on?

I don't support solutions that are just looking for problems.