the dumbest thing i heard in some time.

Or if there's no room in the freezer, canned goods or rice. Most of these programs are use it or lose it, if you have too much one month, you have too much.

I'm baffled a little by Food Stamps and how they're allowed to be used. In my nabe which is between MacDonald and Ocean Pkwy Ditmas and Cortelyou, food stamps are used by just about every person I stand in line behind in the local markets. The thing that sort of gets to me is that some of those folks buy food with food stamps and then whip out 20's to buy lottery tickets. . . Am I the only one to notice this?

EBT Cash and Food Stamps do roll over. Please tell your friend to read between the lines ro call the EBT phone number on his Benefits Card for help.

One can get a one time deal for emergency food stamps but after that one goes through quire a bit of documentation in order to keep it going. There is also an underground economy which is another story.

Well, a recipient can't get cash for food stamps out front because the cash is dispersed electronically (like a debit card). It is called EBT. The holder could buy groceries for someone and be reimbursed or give their Benefit Card to someone else to use, which is against the law and a real drag to replace if it is lost or "stolen."

The underground economy has more to do with those who don't know how to get social services, are afraid or, determined to "do it on their own" with sometimes disastrous effects, especially if they have a family or other loved ones to support.

These people are taken advantage of in every way. There is help in this country and state, and some people never take a penny even though their taxes and other payments go to support those who need the help. HOWEVER, as someone who has seen the system work for folks who could never imagine getting the help, I no longer feel able to judge.

Could the whole thing be run much more efficiently! A huge yes, mostly because government agencies can't talk to each other very easily...in part because the electronic data and equipment are not compatible.

Well, enough, have a great evening! Hope things work out well for everyone involved.