@gmscud, yeah I was being sarcastic, and I completely agree that only nutritious foods should be available for purchase (and no bottle water due to Water Dumping fraud above). However; I don’t think it would be hard to regulate at all.
I have a high deductable health insurance plan with a Health Savings Account (like a FSA). You can find lists of whats available for purchase with your HSA or FSA card all over the internet, and even from the stores you buy stuff at. Prior to the passage of the Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) I was able to buy tons of things over the counter easy as pie. When I went to the store I would ring all my items up and then swipe my HSA card and it would charge only things HSA eligible, then I paid the remainder with my credit card or cash. Unfortunately under Obamacare I techniqely need a prescription for ALL hsa/fsa purchases including over the counter stuff, aspirin, cold/flu stuff, allergy medicine, ect. But the technology is there and it works great.
Id rather have someone buy a lobster then a case of mountain dew and a “box” of oreos, but its shameful that either are allowed. Nothing but nutritious foods should be eligible. Prepared foods from the deli or a restaurant need to stay ineligible. I have to get a prescription just to buy a bottle of aspirin income tax free with my own EARNED income, however; people with ebt cards can buy Doritos, coke and cookies with others people’s money. Maybe im missing something but Is there any positive reason why snap participants should be able to buy junk food with their ebt cards?
They buy 40% more soda than any other demographic, that’s just insulting.
@ first down - I was thinking about you the other day….. I heard someone talking about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. It’s a commonly missed small business tax deduction, and this year its been extended for employees for a number of things including food stamp recipients. It can also help you if you hired a ex-felon, someone from a needy family, a kid working summer job or a bunch of other people. Obviously most people wont tell their boss if theyre a felon or rap about their EBT card like Mr. EBT but you can have all your employees call a number and take a confidential survey.