Did you know that a person can make significant cash withdrawals using an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) card? I did not.
On March 1st I was standing in line at a large grocery store behind a person who purchased $9 worth of groceries and withdrew $480 in cash. On April 3rd I was at the same store and again behind a person who bought a small amount of fresh fruit and took out $199 in cash. While the person was taking the cash, she was trying to answer what looked like an iPhone. She then got in a late model mini-van and left.
I had assumed that EBT cards were restricted to certain types of food and household goods purchases. Obviously this is not true. Once withdrawn, this cash can be used for any purpose.
Everyone to whom I relate this story is surprised that you can get cash from a store with an EBT card. Are you surprised that your tax money is being given out in cash to welfare recipients?
This system needs to change.
Mark Gartley
Westbrook
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