SNAP benefits to end due to US govt shutdown

While 98%+ of SNAP is used correctly, misuse does happen—mostly small-scale, but some large scams.
Examples................

Casinos, strip clubs, liquor stores
Some states saw EBT use at ATMs inside these venues...
Cruise ships, bail bonds, tattoos... Rare but documented (e.g., Louisiana 2015 audit).
(Federal law (2019): States must block EBT at casinos, liquor stores, etc. Most now do).

Cash-Out" Schemes (Trafficking)Cardholder sells benefits for cash (e.g., 50¢ on the dollar).
Example: Person swipes EBT for $100 at a corrupt store, gets $50 cash back. Store keeps $50 profit.
Scale: USDA estimates $1–2 billion annually lost to trafficking.
(2024 Florida sting: 22 stores charged; one owner bought $1.3M in SNAP for $600K cash).

Fake Applications / Identity TheftUsing stolen SSNs to apply for SNAP.
Ghost accounts in deceased people’s names.Texas 2024: 15 people indicted for $400K in fraudulent SNAP claims.

Store Owner FraudOvercharging: Ring up $100 in fake groceries, give $60 cash.
Phantom transactions: Swipe card when no sale occurs.
(California 2022: 7-Eleven franchisee sentenced to 3 years for $2.5M fraud).
 

squatting dog said:
While 98%+ of SNAP is used correctly, misuse does happen—mostly small-scale, but some large scams.
Examples................

Casinos, strip clubs, liquor stores
Some states saw EBT use at ATMs inside these venues...
Cruise ships, bail bonds, tattoos... Rare but documented (e.g., Louisiana 2015 audit).
(Federal law (2019): States must block EBT at casinos, liquor stores, etc. Most now do).

Cash-Out" Schemes (Trafficking)Cardholder sells benefits for cash (e.g., 50¢ on the dollar).
Example: Person swipes EBT for $100 at a corrupt store, gets $50 cash back. Store keeps $50 profit.
Scale: USDA estimates $1–2 billion annually lost to trafficking.
(2024 Florida sting: 22 stores charged; one owner bought $1.3M in SNAP for $600K cash).

Fake Applications / Identity TheftUsing stolen SSNs to apply for SNAP.
Ghost accounts in deceased people’s names.Texas 2024: 15 people indicted for $400K in fraudulent SNAP claims.

Store Owner FraudOvercharging: Ring up $100 in fake groceries, give $60 cash.
Phantom transactions: Swipe card when no sale occurs.
(California 2022: 7-Eleven franchisee sentenced to 3 years for $2.5M fraud).
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In 2024 I paid a total of $4,225 in federal income tax. And if whatever of that goes towards SNAP is used correctly 98% of the time I feel pretty good about it.
 
hollydolly said:
ah..food stamps I;ve heard of those... are they literally stamps or how does it work ?....We don't have that here in the Uk
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They used to come in a booklet. The coupons would be torn out as needed. They were different colors for denominations. I don’t know why they called them stamps. Not like they were small like S&H green stamps and could be licked. They were more like ration coupons - a little smaller than the size of a US dollar bill. Cashiers used to keep a separate slot in the cash drawer for them.

I saw people trade them to others for non-food items. EBT is probably more secure than the old format.
 

hollydolly said:
OMG...that's a lot of free stuff...wow !
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The government is also in the process of changing the eligibility requirements to get them. Just seniors, disabled, veterans and part time workers. Also with age requirements. Some states high as 64 and some at 54 and for only 18 to 24 months. Soon no one will be able to sit home and do nothing and collect them. I'm not for or against it, just what I have been reading for awhile.
 
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If 98% was used as it's intended purpose I'd be pleased as punch. I, however, have worked in a Urban Hospital for over 30 years and just call me cynical.
 
squatting dog said:
Yep. The fact that you can use the card at an ATM opens the possibility of getting cash for things other than what it was meant for.
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hollydolly said:
yes that's very clearly obvious...wow....... I have a million questions now,but I can't ask them cuz it's all politcally charged...I'm going to go and read up on it all....... but one question are they stopping this completely.. for everyone ?
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SNAP benefits can be used only on food; they can not be withdrawn as cash from ATMs.
 
hollydolly said:
ah..food stamps I;ve heard of those... are they literally stamps or how does it work ?....We don't have that here in the Uk
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What program do you have in the UK to assist families, seniors, the un-housed and veterans with food? Sorry if you've shared in another forum or thread. Don't want you to have to repeat a lot.

Decades ago food stamps/EBT/SNAP used to actually be perforated bills in different denominations that you tore out of a little booklet to pay for groceries. Cashiers would put them in the cash register like paper money. If less than $1 food stamp change was due, they would give you US coin money. If more than $1 food stamp change was owed, they'd give you change in food stamps, which you would fold into your booklet.

The government then upgraded to debit-type cards, as someone here shared. The program changed names over the years.
 
DailyArtsyCrafter said:
What program do you have in the UK to assist families, seniors, the un-housed and veterans with food? Sorry if you've shared in another forum or thread. Don't want you to have to repeat a lot.

Decades ago food stamps/EBT/SNAP used to actually be perforated bills in different denominations that you tore out of a little booklet to pay for groceries. Cashiers would put them in the cash register like paper money. If less than $1 food stamp change was due, they would give you US coin money. If more than $1 food stamp change was owed, they'd give you change in food stamps, which you would fold into your booklet.

The government then upgraded to debit-type cards, as someone here shared. The program changed names over the years.
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food banks...that's all...
 
Marie5656 said:
Yes, just as with other benefits, people do abuse the system
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yes and it happens here with people who are on benefits too... I know this... but these food stamps seem to be a HUGe amount paid to some people in the US...one person says they're getting $4k in food stamps.. as well as all other benfits... another is getting over $700 dollars a month just for food for their kids.. and is furious he's expected to work for 20 hours a week... good grief that's awful
 
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DailyArtsyCrafter said:
I chose not to receive SNAP when I retired. Too much effort for $23 a month, which is shameful anyway for seniors living on low SS checks. That's what my neighbor gets. I have gotten them in the past at times when I was struggling or starting over and raising my son. Back then, I got $200+ because I had a child. That's how I know the effort, paperwork and headaches that has to be endured.

I live alone. I don't eat much. I can buy my own food and it lasts for such a long time in my fridge and freezer. I decided to leave what SNAP amount I would have gotten to children and families and bypass the headache.

My heart goes out to those, singles, couples and families, who will suffer with this delay in benefits. 🙏🏽 Praying for support to come to you in other ways that will help you through.
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I did the same thing as you, too much to do for a small amount. I said something to a worker a few weeks ago and she told me the money I refuse does not go to help someone else---it just doesn't go to me.
 
hollydolly said:
yes and it happens here with people who are on benefits too... I know this... but these food stamps seem to be a HUGe amount paid to some people in the US...one person says they're getting $4k in food stamps.. as well as all other benfits... another is getting over $700 dollars a month just for food for their kids.. and is furious he's expected to work for 20 hours a week... good grief that's awful
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  • Its gross monthly income generally must be at or below 130 percent of the poverty line, or $2,798 a month (about $33,576 a year) for a three-person household in fiscal year 2025. Households with a member who is age 60 or older or has a disability need not meet this limit.
  • Its net monthly income, or income after deductions are applied for items such as housing costs and child care, must be less than or equal to the poverty line ($2,152 a month or about $25,824 a year for a three-person household in fiscal year 2025).
  • Its assets must fall below certain limits: in fiscal year 2025 the limits are $3,000 for households without a member who is age 60 or older or has a disability and $4,500 for those with an older or disabled member.
 
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squatting dog said:
Yep. The fact that you can use the card at an ATM opens the possibility of getting cash for things other than what it was meant for.
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People can't get cash for SNAP benefits. In fact, grocery and other store computers are programmed to only allow SNAP cards to pay for permitted items - mostly food. People using SNAP benefits then pay out of pocket for non-covered benefits.
hollydolly said:
OMG...that's a lot of free stuff...wow !
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It sounds like a lot, but truth is the benefits are rather skimpy, qualifying for them is often an arduous process, and many are only available for a limited period of time.

Trust me, nearly everyone on on these kinds of US government benefits is barely scraping by. Are there occasional fraudsters milking the system? Undoubtedly. But they're a very small minority.
 
Deya said:
It will be interesting to see how the dishonest news sources turn this into a crisis of epic proportions. One sister in law is crying the blues over losing less than $100 a month and how she will go hungry, but yet she can afford to smoke two packs a day and play video poker for hours.
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I'm sorry that your SIL uses SNAP benefits while also wasting money smoking and gambling.

To be fair, her lifestyle choices don't invalidate genuine needs of many desperate families reliant on SNAP to help feed their families.
 
They can't find money anywhere in the budgets to feed hungry Americans including children and seniors. But they found money to send 20 billion dollars to Argentina! This sh*t burns me up! 🤬

I'm glad I never had to depend on SNAP benefits, but I'm feeling very badly right now for those who do. I saw a lady on the news who has children and is working three jobs. Still it's hard for her to pay her bills and feed her family. She is concerned that losing her SNAP benefit will only make things worse.
 

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