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Many Florida EBT Cards To Be Deactivated Friday
September 19, 2012
The Florida Department of Children and Families is reminding those who receive food assistance, Temporary Cash Assistance, Refugee Assistance, and Food Assistance Employment and Training payments that their old Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards with the flag design will be deactivated this Friday.
The new card was phased in beginning in January 2012 and has already been distributed to most clients. Changing the cards allows for increased security and durability. Any client who still has the old card needs to call 1-888-356-3281 to receive a new ACCESS card, which has a lighthouse design.
Similar to a commercial credit or debit card, the new ACCESS card has an expiration date and will be replaced automatically every four years with a new design. Authorized retailers statewide have been informed of this change.
Comments
28 Responses to “Many Florida EBT Cards To Be Deactivated Friday”
Don’t breed um if you can’t feed um.
These “clients” can use them for cash advances now. Most re-sale them for cash for less than face value. I seen it first hand in one particular grocery store parking lot. The cash lets them buy items not allowed with the card.
REGARDING:
“I hate the fact that people using this assistance must somehow justify their purchases ”
Why do you hate the idea that those being helped should be able to justify their purchases?
If you were a hungry child and your mother had EBT benefits, wouldn’t you want her to justify spending the money on things other than food for you?
If you gave the money with the idea that the child not go hungry, wouldn’t you want that money to go toward that food?
Now, if you gave them money and suggested they spend it on the Lottery, they would be justified if they did so.. If you gave them money and suggested it go toward support of the alcohol industry, they would be justified if they did so.
It’s just a matter of being faithful to the intent of the support. If the people come to suspect the users are not being faithful, they will be less willing to help the needy in the future. Isn’t that worth a little bit of justification?
David for a proper safety net
Return to the voucher and commodity system for feeding people. Processing vouchers will create jobs. America has plenty of food. Hungry people are thankful for essential groceries and won’t waste their scarce food dollars. Stop cash benefits on EBT cards since cash cannot be monitored. Processing requests for non-food Essential services will create jobs. I am thankful for every food stamp penny I got one time when my family received assistance for 5 months. I am thankful for every WIC voucher I received when I was pregnant and nursing my babies. 5 of us lived on $4 an hour and bring home pay was less than $120 a week. Thank you my friends and fellow citizens! You gave us a hand up when we needed it the most.
hey Monica ? former Sgt. U.S. Army field artillery here,,,,, rendering proper hand salute to you now,,,,,,,,,you are EXACTLY why these programs were put in place maam….. It does many folks here good to hear your comments because you are why these systems work,,,,,,,, usually we all, including yourself i am sure, hear of so many that raise generations on the welfare train, with no intention at all of getting off their hind ends and doing for themselves, let alone two tours,,,,You said it so well yourself when you stated ” to make it so that we can pick ourselves up after going through hard times” operative part being,, PICK OURSELVES UP… hang in there Maam….we really are on your side ! F A all the Way
Seeing some of these comments makes me very sad. One of the great things about our country is that we have established systems to help those who need it and to make it so that we can pick ourselves up after going through hard times. Without some of these programs people would never be able to rebound from devastating life situations. I hate the fact that people using this assistance must somehow justify their purchases or the implication that because you use assistance you didn’t pay into it.
Because of varies life circumstances ranging from illness, child-birth, and job loss my family now finds itself on government assistance. I am thankful each day that it is available and that it allows my family to eat nutritiously. Do I only use my card to purchase generic brand can goods and boxed pasta? No, sometimes I manage my budget so that my family can enjoy treats like ice cream and chips and I don’t apologize for it. Not only have both my husband and I paid into the system for more than 20 years, but as a veteran of 2 deployments I have placed myself in danger in the service of this country (something many of the people looking on ‘clients’ of public assistance with derision can not say..) When I approach the counter holding my daughter and pull out my card I hate this look that people like to give. Like how dare you enjoy anything because you need a little help right now. Before we start judging others, maybe we should take a moment to reflect on where our anger is really coming from. Now I don’t like to see the system getting abused any more than anyone else, but simply because someone has a nice phone or nice clothes doesn’t mean they are the abusers in question. I carry a smart phone and have a pair of expensive sneakers. Both of these items were purchased before my life circumstances changed but I don’t feel I need to explain that to anyone. Maybe if we spent more time focusing on what is going on in our own lives we would spend less feeling angry over all the people we think are getting away with something. A lot of this hatefulness towards people on assistance is misdirected jealousy. No, people are not jealous that others get assistance. They are jealous that :this person doesn’t have to work and they have more than I do. I work and I can’t afford the iphone so why should this person on benefits have one.” Whether this is true or not doesn’t matter. Lets let go of the hate people.
i think ifyou get food stamps or WIC or anything of the sort you should be walking around with a cell phone, much less a smart phone. I see this all the time in walmart ect. Not to mention many of they folks have other people that work living with them, so they are pretty much just getting free food to they can spend thier money elsewhere. I do like how some people have the money to pay for internet to complain about being “offended” on here….. but not for food. Nice one “DANIELLE. Its to bad people have no pride anymore and would rather jump on the free food and money fed train instead of actually doing without “luxurys” I don’t care what you say you don’t HAVE to have a cell phone or internet to live day to day. Most people i see getting free assistance have nicer cars and phones and cars than me not to mention buy the more expensive brand food since its free. They also need to check on all the “disabled” people. i know people who are blind or in wheelchairs that work. Most just jump on that gig so they can draw a check and lay around…. makes me feel so good everytime i see the taxes out of my check.
Danielle, You are NOT the type of welfare or food stamp recipient that the majority of people have a problem with, and on another note, that I will get to in a minute, is that You are also the EXACT kind of person that we have a problem with,
The problem lies with those who ARE able to work but are unwilling to do so. Our government is a shockingly giving government. It seems that all you have to do these days is have a child and you are on the governments payroll for ,basically as long as chose to be there. And SOME people will continue to have children, receive monetary assistance and food stamps as long as our government is willing to hand them out so freely.
Nothing bothers me more than to be in the ER (primarily the Pediatric ER that I used to work in) and watch mothers parading in day in and day out who are on government assistance who have an Iphone, carrying a Coach bag and wearing more gold either a jewelry or in thier dental work than should be legal. THOSE are they types of welfare and food stamp recipients that I have a problem with.
I also have a problem with the big out cry about the fact that our government is trying to implement drug testing for those who DO receive assistance. I don’t understand what the big out cry is about. Do they have something to hide? I have to be drug tested in order to get a job as well as to maintain that job and you don’t see us hollering about it.
Now………Why are YOU one of the people that we have a problem with? Because YOU are the type of recipient who deserves MORE help, you go hungry one to one and half weeks per month? Then you are being failed and it should be unheard of. If there were fewer people receiving benefits who should NOT be receiving them, then maybe YOU would receive enough to get you through an entire month but it’s the people who are abusing the system that prevent YOU from getting what you need. I think you should be pissed off.
I don’t even mind the young mother who has a couple of kids and needs a hand receiving benefits as long as those benefits are used to help her while she is going to college and bettering her life for herself and for her children. These government benefits should be to give a hand up NOT a hand out.
Sorry for the rant and I will keep you and others like you in my prayers.
Danielle no one blames people that are really in need! That is what food stamps and government assistance is for. I have studied the statics most of the day and I learned that the government spent 75 billion dollars this year on food stamps alone, 33 billion dollars on housing and 1.01 TRILLION on social welfare programs. That is just to the people who do not work. You can’t help believe that somebody is taking advantage of the system. When the government tries to take away Social Security of the people who paid that money in (not a welfare program)and give to the people who does not work, then what can anyone expect. According to the internet, government welfare has doubled in the last 3 yrs. I know at least 10 people who is completely physically and mentally able to work, but they had rather receive government assistance.
corp. subsidies are incentives for growth. the more growth a corporation has, then people they will hire. the more people they hire the more taxes people will pay…it works. Also, those who pay into taxes, yet receive a full refund of their payments, their money is used to make money throughout the year, so they are still contributing…maybe in a smaller way, but still, there is a contribution.
REGARDING:
“59 billion is spent on food and housing assistance . . . . 92 billion is spent on corporate subsidies!”
Folks keep talking about corporate subsidies.
I generally assume they’re telling the truth because why bother to lie to me?
Still I wonder sometimes.
A subsidy of any kind would be the taking of money from the subsidizer and giving it to the subsidized (the client?).
So the claim is hereby made that the federal government gives out money to corporations. Maybe they do and it may show up on the payments if we know where to look.
The alternative explanation is that corporate taxes are reduced for reasons which seemed reasonable to the administration and that less taxation is taken FROM them and those who consider all money the property of the government consider THAT a subsidy.
I wonder if they’re talking the first case or the second?
David in an Orwellian world
To those with such contempt for food stamp recipients; many of us are disabled and unable to earn money. I live in a bed due to multiple disabilities and have to buy certain”name brand” foods because i am on a medically restricted diet-and either there simply isn’t a generic, or the generic contains things I am not able to eat. Because I am unable to stand for more than a few moments, and cannot afford to pay for anyone to help, or cook-I am forced to eat (more expensive!0 foods like protein bars that don’t require cooking. Believe me no matter how expensive it is after eating the EXACT SAME thing over and over every day for years, its not a “Treat”.
Then I go hungry for the last week, or week and a half because the food stamps run out before the days needing food do-and believe me I eat so little it upsets the few people that would care if I died. (3 protein bars in a day each has 170 calories)
I don’t know if you realize how hurtful all this denigration and hate of people on public assistance is,for those of us who really have NO CHOICE. I’ve considered suicide because it seems that is what the people who “pay taxes” want-it would be cheaper if I was dead.
I would be happier than anyone if I could work and have a real life-go out *anywhere* other than a doctor appointment but I try to make the best of my situation, I do whatever I am able to help others. I pray for people and for our country every day.
I wish people could learn some compassion for others. It is horrible enough to be in a bad situation whether it is thru disability or even just unemployment, or a sick child-whatever causes someone to be on assistance-MOST of us would do anything else if we could.
Please thank God for your blessings and pray for us instead of blaming us.
Sure there are always a few bad apples in any group, but most people are honest and would rather not be on assistance-only taking it when they have no other choice. Being belittled and accused of laziness constantly doesn’t help anyone. Those who truly are freeloaders surely do not care what anyone thinks of them or they would not be like that!
I know I need the assistance and am not spending it on plastic surgery and other such claims. I don’t know how someone woud do that when you’re card is programmed for specific programs. I can’t get money from my card because I don’t qualify for that program. Can’t get blood from a turnip, as the old saying goes.
Hopefully those of you who don’t qualify for assistance or think one should be helped by family, hope you never have the reality of those things being needed.
I have paid taxes, for many years, into the system. I know there are some people who never have but that doesn’t mean they don’t need the help. I, for one, and not sitting at home laughing about being able to swindle the government. I’ve been looking for a job and there don’t seem to be many in my area. Being college educated doesn’t mean I’m looking only for those jobs. Even minimum wage jobs are hard to get in my small area of Florida.
Hoping those complaining never have to experience being on food stamps, needing Medicaid (which usu means lower standard doctors, etc.), or needing financial assistance. It’s not a fun world.
This is to Rufus..There is no shame if you need public assistance for awhile, it does not mean you are lazy, but after 4 years, if you are not physically disabled then it means anyone receiving it is lazy. This is from 2 people who has each held down a full time job and 2 part time jobs each for the past 15 yrs and we are 65 and still working. It makes it a little hard to swallow when people between the ages of 19 and 40 laying up all day receiving food stamps and talking on what they call Oboma phones.
I do not normally make comments on these forums, but I do feel that I have to make one here. While I agree that there are many cases of abusing the system, please remember that there are some cases where public assistance is genuinely needed. I hold a 4 year degree and have worked in the professional sector for over 8 years. My child is a medically needy child, who recently required more frequent doctor appointments, hospitalizations, and was not making it through full days at school. I was asked to step down to part time due to these family obligations. I am a single parent without any family in the area. I have no choice at this point but to take care of my child. I recently went on food stamps because of this situation. As soon as I get my child healthy again I will return to work full time. But until then I am thankful to be able to rely on a system I have spent years paying into.
To misc mom: I do clip coupons, take advantage of BOGO offers, and try to shop frugally. I’m sure there are people out there who don’t and who abuse the system, but please know that there are some out there who don’t.
Wow Mike, that rant could be finished with “…and I’m getting my piece of the pie”, which is the attitude many have, and why the welfare system is in the shambles it is today.
There are cases where ebt cards were used to purchase plastic surgery, cars, and such. We need to stop welfare programs; we help our family and friends in their hard times. Another thing, if people on food stamps are truly needy then they should be content with non-name brands which are less costly. That’ what us working folks are buying because after taxes, we have less money to spend on our own needs.
mike, the goverment gets a big return on their investment of “corporate welfare” but nothing but trouble from those on the dole.
It would be nice if some time in your life you paid in some of the taxes.
WELL EVERYBODI AINT GO TO COLLEGE N GET A GUDD JOB SO THEY DONT HAVE TO GET FOOD ASSITANCE YU THINK EVERYONE THAT GETS IT IS PROUD TRUST ME THEY WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO BE DEPEND LIKE YALL N NOT HAVE TO USE THEM… NOW FOR THA FOLKS WITH 8,9,10 KIDS THATS WEN YU FEEL SOMEONE IS USING THE STATE..
Its funny how wealthy conservatives have turned public assistance received by a VAST many more poor Republicans into a bad word.
Guess what . . . those are called your TAX DOLLARS at work, its NOT a handout to ask for the taxes you spend each day to be used in a manner of your choosing, we pay into the system each day when we buy gas, buy a shirt or use the internet.
Wealthy Republicans have brainwashed masses of poor to believe that the money you pay into the system somehow isn’t yours anymore, that asking for it back or asking for it to be used in your community is asking for something special . . . . but guess what, food stamps comes from the same pot that pays for fixing pot holes, the street light on your corner, police patrols, fire services and OH MY GOD, all the billions more in “corporate welfare” that they receive.
They get discounts on land purchases, fuel, tax breaks, manufacturing cost and a dozen other “hand outs” with your tax dollars that they don’t seem to complain about.
59 billion is spent on food and housing assistance . . . . 92 billion is spent on corporate subsidies!
And theres the problem. To be replaced every four years. Let them continue to draw benefits for FOUR YEARS!!!!! Or more. Thats insane. In four years you should be able to carry your own weight. We used food stamps as kids in my family. But never for more then a month. Guess thats why I try my hardest not to take handouts! I was raised to depend on myself, and only except help if every other option (WORKING) was not available. Four years is way to long to not be able ot find a job and take car of your self. I will keep working as I have since 15, building fences, painting houses, driving trucks, bagging groceries to pay for these folks that think they are above flipping burgers. Make me sick and proves this country will never get better.
Once again I have to wonder why when it comes to public assitance, so many people just assume that anyone receiving it is just a lazy deadbeat who simply doesn’t want to work. Does it make you feel better about yourself or something? Unbelievable.
REGARDING USE OF THE WORD “CLIENT”:
“client noun ”
“1. somebody using professional service: a person or organization taking advice from an attorney, accountant, or other professional person”
The government is an organization and the service is giving aid.
“2. customer: a person or organization to whom goods or services are provided and sold”
They ARE provided but not sold, therefore not meeting that definition
“3. user of social services agency: a user of the services offered by a social services agency”
Dead on there. They are using the services of a social services agency.
“4. person or entity helped by another: a person or entity dependent on the protection or patronage of another person or entity
“the former Soviet Union and its clients in the Middle East”
This also applies since they are dependent on aid from our government of the people, by the people and for the people.
“5. comput computer program that requests data: a computer program that obtains data from a program on another computer, often one linked on a network.
An Internet browser is a specific kind of client. “
This definition doesn’t apply.
“[14th century. < Latin client- "dependent" < cluere "obey"]”
The old Latin applies here since they are dependent on it.
Thank you Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
David deciding the word is accurately used
Give me a break! A client usually refers to someone PAYING for a service
and by all means replace that “ole pesky flag” with a pic of a lighthouse. Wouldn’t want to offend the “clients”.
It’s a standard term for anyone you do business with. In the case of corporate welfare, they are referred to as ‘donors’. For a small investment in a campaign they receive millions or in some cases billions in welfare.
“Client” is how DCF refers to individuals that receive assistance.
cliant ? never heard that before!