Govt fighting foodstamp fraud.

[powderman]

http://www.whas11.com/news/consumer/Government-takes-new-steps-to-combat-food-stamp-fraud-154045735.html
 
 
Government takes new steps to combat food stamp fraud  Food stamps   by WHAS11 WHAS11.com Posted on May 25, 2012 at 8:38 AM       WASHINGTON (AP) -- The government is trying to crack down on food stamp recipients who are ripping off taxpayers by illegally selling their benefit cards for cash.
The Agriculture Department wants to curb the practice by giving states more power to investigate people who repeatedly claim to lose their benefit cards and then ask for replacements.
It is proposing new rules Thursday that would allow states to demand formal explanations from people who seek replacement cards more than three times a year. Those who don't comply can be denied further cards.
USDA officials say they are even getting complaints of people using websites like eBay and Craigslist to buy and sell food stamps.
Food stamp fraud costs taxpayers about $750 million a year, or 1 percent of the $75 billion program.

[muznut 54]

When they fined fraud and the recipient is involved cut their stamps for life.

[Swampman]

2 Thessalonians 3:10
There shouldn't be any such a thing as foodstamps.

[muznut 54]

Yeah I agree for the most part but what about the handicapped and the elderly?

[Swampman]

Their family won't let them starve.

[muznut 54]

Some don't have families.

[Swampman]

I'm sorry....when I don't have any food, I'll die.  IMO to take forced charity is worse than stealing.

[Sourdough]

I worked as a cashier in a grocery store before going into the Air Force.  Back then the only people I saw using Food Stamps were poor disabled folks.  They were embarrassed to be using them but they did not have much choice if they wanted to eat. 

Then after retiring from the AF I went back to being a cashier at the Commissary on Ft Richardson.  It was an entirely differant group of people now using food stamps.  Young people, wearing the latest fashion baggy pants, gold teeth, and lots of gold chains and rings.

In the last few months I have seen people advertising on craigs list to sell food stamps.  I also have over heard phone conversations from people at the Athletic Club I am a member of telling someone on the phone they could not do something till their Food Stamps came in.  Now if this young woman (she looks mid to late 20s) is drawing food stamps, how is she a member of the most expensive Athletic Club in town.