Out-of-state welfare money being used around Orlando attractions

With that said, the twist - the 'groan moment' - in this story comes at the fact that people who are considered bad enough off to need help are using that help to go to Orlando theme parks.

Which, again, is a sign of irresponsibility, and I agree with it. But thats a different matter all together.

Pagoda Gift Shop said:
I think the link to the story might be dead.

Do they track all the funds which are given out using TANF? Even though people can spend it on whatever they want, it would seem wise to track it anyway so you know what they are spending it on.

When I was in WV, they could track where the money was spent, down to the store and register. I know they could do the same thing in NC for SNAP (Food Stamps). And it went along way in proving that people were living out of state, as they forgot to show up for an appt, and we check the card to see they're using it all in Atlanta, and have been for the last 3-6 months.

Tekwardo said:
...Which glosses over your selective listening. Read what Gonch wrote.

Cash Benefits are given out to be used for whatever someone wants to use them for. It's not fraud, it's not wrong, it's not anyone's business what the money is being spent on. Because they in a sense 'earned' that money by completing their activities (Which include things like janitorial work, classes on self sufficiency, and a host of other things). The government doesn't feel they should regulate how that money is spent.

Now I'm gonna flip the script and point out that I think Jeff gets that - he's saying he doesn't agree with it.

And I tend to agree with him there.

Doesn't matter what you do to get that government money - it's still government money and that's a handout. If we're going to give handouts, we should certainly put some limitations on what you can do with those handouts.

Lord Gonchar said:
the parking lot is usually filled with Lexuses.

I believe the correct plural is "Lexii" :-D

In my neighborhood - the Goodwills are not really good I guess - pardon the pun. Perhaps I don't have the global perspective, but to me, it isn't a desired choice.

But alas this is the great USA - we can agree to disagree.

Amusement Parks aren't the only place I've seen these shenanagans. A few years ago I was driving through Gary, Indiana and decided to stop at one of their Riverboat Casinos and have a cheap supper. I spent about $7.00 for my meal, so I decided to use the rest of the change to "Feed" a One-Armed Bandit. I got lucky and won $35.00! :) As I exited the Casino I spotted an elderly woman who was being escorted by two Security Guards. She was sobbing and SCREAMING, turned out she had BLOWN her ENTIRE Social Security Check on those Slot Machines! :(

PS after leaving the Casino I spotted a Wal-Mart, I stopped in and used my winnings to "Relieve" them of two Video Games for my Computer! :)

Jerry said:
But alas this is the great USA - we can agree to disagree.

Yeah, but what's the fun in that? :)

I'm not even saying I disagree. I'm just stating reasons why they aren't going to do it. Switching over to EBT cards was a nightmare for retail and govt agencies. Instead of spending all of that money to fix a cracked windshield, that'd rather see how lLong they can go before its inspection time.

Having said that, one of the reasons they phased stamps out was because people would do multiple less than $1 transactions so they could collect change and buy cigs or gas. Now they can't do that.

My guess is that there are kids in the local school district whose parents are not on public assistance who wear clothes from goodwill because its all the parents can afford. Seems odd to me that the folks who are on public assistance would be heard to complain about having to buy clothes using funds from public assistance at goodwill. But that goes to the expectations that Gonch referenced earlier.

Jerry said:

Juggalotus said:
If clothes are a necessary purchase (and I'm not arguing they aren't) then make the cards valid at Goodwill and other such retailers.

But I can guarantee, almost no one was selling their food stamps for cash to buy clothes.

I think this is shortsighted - goodwill? Have you seen what kind of clothes you can buy there? Would you like to go to school wearing Goodwill clothes and get chastised by your classmates solely because your parents are down on their luck, and can't take you shopping anywhere else?

And god forbid your school requires UNIFORMS - I don't think you will find those at Goodwill....

I for one buy a majority of my clothes at Goodwill, then again I don't fret over what other people might think. And yes, if your on State assistance maybe you shouldn't be shopping at the Gap, Ambercrombie, etc,.

I never said the Gap or Ambercrombie - There are perfectly decent clothes at Old Navy and Target to be had on the cheap, heck even Kmart has a few decent lines.

Lord Gonchar said:
Doesn't matter what you do to get that government money - it's still government money and that's a handout. If we're going to give handouts, we should certainly put some limitations on what you can do with those handouts.

What he said.

Goodwill is overpriced compared to what I can find on the clearance rack at AE, Abercrombie, JC Penney's, Kohls, Target, Meijer you name it.

Our local good will charges 3 dollars for a T Shirt. I can go to Meijer and but a pack of 4 Fruit of the Loom black T Shirts for work for 10 dollars. I got a brand new $150 wool pea coat at Penny's on clearance this spring for 15 bucks, a nasty, used, smoke smelling coat is 10 bucks at Goodwill.

Recently I bought 10 new button up stylish short sleeve casual shirts at Penney's for a total of $9.70, they were this summers styles and there were clearing inventory, the receipt told me I saved $240.20

So are you suggesting people buy socks and underwear at Goodwill too?

You can wear nice, new, stylish clothes for practically the same price or cheaper then at Goodwill if you simply use your head.

Maybe your a frugal shopper. All the people in my hood care about are chokes, booz and south pole gear with my tax money.

What are "chokes"?

Sorry farmboy from Michigan/Ohio here.

Ciggarettes. Has-been Michigan farmboy here.

Cigarettes?

Yep! Mis-spelled that one.

Another perspective on TANF money...

One of the things that people in these programs MUST learn to do is to manage their money. Placing limits on what they can buy, where they can buy it, when, etc. is all a level of hand-holding that does nothing to encourage smart money management. Furthermore, if a cheap buffet at a local casino is a way to get a good meal, maybe that makes sense. And if a family has managed their money well enough to take a vacation? Maybe their TANF status ought to be re-evaluated. Or maybe they just have their priorities in order (or not).

The key to it is that it is TEMPORARY assistance, and so long as that is the case, I'm really not opposed to that money being unrestricted. As for monitoring where it goes...well, first of all, that's a great tool for a case-worker who is trying to help a client to learn money management skills. Second, as noted by someone who apparently did it for a living, it's a great tool for offices to figure out where the person is *really* living...I believe much of that Federal money is block-granted to states, so it really needs to come out of the proper state's program.

Oh, and didn't I mention? While I don't think it's necessary to limit how or where that unrestricted temporary money can be spent, I also don't think the client should have any expectation of privacy when it comes to spending money given to them by others. Especially when those others are taxpayers.

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

This a rehash of a story a few months ago about California lawmaker who want to block people from accessing welfare benefits from casino's Atms.

They may can only get welfare benefits for 60 months.at the end of that time they apply for SS disability.(see story about the adult baby) he is disabled but sells adult sized baby furniture on internet.