Should There be More Restrictions on Food Stamps?
A state senator in New York is backing a bill that will ban people from using food stamps to buy steak and lobster and other luxury items.
Should there be more restrictions on food stamps?
Social service officials say there’s really only a small percentage of people who abuse the system. So do we need more restrictions?
Food stamps, a help or a hindrance?
“Let people buy what they want to buy with their food stamps,” said one person we spoke to.
“I think food stamps are a good deal, there’s a lot of people that need them. I know that there are people that abuse it,” said another.
Food stamp restrictions are regulated by the federal government through the department of agriculture.
Here in Cass County those are the rules and regulations that apply.
“No alcohol, there’s no tobacco, convenience foods, those typically found in the deli that can be eaten on the premises. One can’t purchase those with food stamp benefits,” said Sydney Shook Cass County Economic Assistance Manager.
One person I spoke to says more restrictions defeats the purpose.
“There shouldn’t be segregation with what food you can buy with your food stamps, because if that’s the case why call them food stamps,” said Billie Hughes of Fargo.
Shook says adding more regulations would only be accounting for a small percentage of those who abuse the system.
Shook says from his 35 years of experience majority of food stamp users use the card the right way.
“Of individuals who use this program, use it effectively and efficiently, and for the purpose that is intended,” said Shook.
Stanley Hoglund of Fargo says food stamps are a great resource, but something should be done to avoid their abuse.
“I think they’re a must. It’s just if there was some way they could kind of watch it a little closer, but that’s probably not going to happen,” said Stanley Hoglund of Fargo.
Around 54,000 people in North Dakota use food stamps.
Shook says the chances of the more restrictive bill passing nationwide are unlikely.
