[pavyracer]

Bush called congressional leaders to the White House to discuss an emergency rescue package centered on tax rebates and business tax cuts but also likely to include increases in unemployment benefits and food stamps.

How do the food stamps work? Do you stick them on the food you plan to buy?

[ShamsWoof10]

I have never actually spent one but I've seen them before although it's been over 15 years... I use to go to this carry out and I would be in line seeing people pull these out... They look like "monopoly" money, in a sense, but function like real money in food stores or stores that take them for food... There are some little details I may be leaving out but that's generally it...

[wtt0315]

the last ones i saw was when i lived on the mexican border. they had a card like a DC that had a swipe thing on it. I know they could only buy certain products with it.

[pico]

the ones i saw are like coupon books. i saw one lady bought 50 boxes of mac and cheese on food stamps.

i am glad i don't live in that area anymore

[swede96]

There are certain foods/brands you have to buy. I had a friend on themm and she was constantly giving me peanutbutter because they gave her WAY too many free jars every month.

[5 star bomb]

2Pac should be able to educate us on this topic im sure...

[Deuce]

Mother effing cuntbag, I was on unemployment benefits up until lats month. I still have no job and wont be able to receive more money until June. Michigan is ****ed.


Im going to vegas with the title of my house. Laying it all on red. Wish me luck.

[ShamsWoof10]

the last ones i saw was when i lived on the mexican border. they had a card like a DC that had a swipe thing on it. I know they could only buy certain products with it.

No sh*t ..that's interesting...

I read something about four years ago that a secratary at the Fed said that if there is an economic fallout their answer will be the DC...

hmmmmmm..........

Mother effing cuntbag, I was on unemployment benefits up until lats month. I still have no job and wont be able to receive more money until June. Michigan is ****ed.


Im going to vegas with the title of my house. Laying it all on red. Wish me luck.

Put it on the Pats ML and bang a few girls with no condoms for me...

[pico]

Mother effing cuntbag, I was on unemployment benefits up until lats month. I still have no job and wont be able to receive more money until June. Michigan is ****ed.


Im going to vegas with the title of my house. Laying it all on red. Wish me luck.

if i were you, put everything on don't pass. better odds than red

[wtt0315]

yeah they said it was their way of making sure fraud was easier to track.

[Doug]

There are certain foods/brands you have to buy. I had a friend on themm and she was constantly giving me peanutbutter because they gave her WAY too many free jars every month.

I think you are confusing food stamps with WIC coupons. Food stamps were good for any food item, and often recipients would sell them for half price to other people , so they could buy beer,cigs,drugs,etc.

WIC coupons were good for specific items.

WIC= women with infants and children. I remember both from being a grocery cashier long ago.

[pavyracer]

Did they always give food stamps when the economy was bad? How will food stamps help the economy? Shouldn't they give jobs away instead?

[matskralc]

Ha! I'm a welfare worker, this one's right up my alley!!

Back in the old days (like, 10 years ago ), food stamps used to come in paper coupon form. They still might in some areas, I'm not certain. Nowadays, food stamp recipients are given an electronic benefit transfer card that works a lot like a DC. Now instead of handing paper coupons to the cashier, they can swipe their EBT card just like a DC. Food stamps can be used to buy, duh, food products. You can't buy things like toothpaste or toilet paper with them.

Some areas might still use the paper coupons, I'm uncertain. We were actually just sent an email a few days ago letting us know that there is currently legislation in the works to decertify all paper coupons (i.e. make them worthless) a year after passing the law. I think this might only be because the paper coupons never expired, and some people still have some. I don't know.

swede96, that sounds a lot like WIC (Women Infants Children). WIC gives recipients X amount of something per month. Generally, it's baby formula that women use them for. I'm not aware of any food stamps that require you to buy certain brands or foods. They can be used on any food.

Cash welfare is handled the same way: the money is placed in the account linked to the EBT card. Unlike food stamp money, cash welfare can be withdrawn at an ATM or used on anything.

[pico]

this is one depressing thread...

[matskralc]

yeah they said it was their way of making sure fraud was easier to track.

Yes. With the EBT card, we can track everywhere it is used. This is useful for determining clients fraudulently claiming to be living in a state that they aren't in. It can also help with tracking stolen cards.

I think you are confusing food stamps with WIC coupons. Food stamps were good for any food item, and often recipients would sell them for half price to other people , so they could buy beer,cigs,drugs,etc.

WIC coupons were good for specific items.

WIC= women with infants and children. I remember both from being a grocery cashier long ago.

Someone beat me to it while I was typing.

Did they always give food stamps when the economy was bad? How will food stamps help the economy? Shouldn't they give jobs away instead?

It sounds like they just want to increase the current food stamp benefit level for people already on them and/or raise the income limits. I suppose it is a way of helping families have more money available to spend on other things, since food stamps can only be spent on food, this lets a family spend their other money on non-food-related things.

[ShamsWoof10]

Ha! I'm a welfare worker, this one's right up my alley!!

Back in the old days (like, 10 years ago ), food stamps used to come in paper coupon form. They still might in some areas, I'm not certain. Nowadays, food stamp recipients are given an electronic benefit transfer card that works a lot like a DC. Now instead of handing paper coupons to the cashier, they can swipe their EBT card just like a DC. Food stamps can be used to buy, duh, food products. You can't buy things like toothpaste or toilet paper with them.

Some areas might still use the paper coupons, I'm uncertain. We were actually just sent an email a few days ago letting us know that there is currently legislation in the works to decertify all paper coupons (i.e. make them worthless) a year after passing the law. I think this might only be because the paper coupons never expired, and some people still have some. I don't know.

swede96, that sounds a lot like WIC (Women Infants Children). WIC gives recipients X amount of something per month. Generally, it's baby formula that women use them for. I'm not aware of any food stamps that require you to buy certain brands or foods. They can be used on any food.

Cash welfare is handled the same way: the money is placed in the account linked to the EBT card. Unlike food stamp money, cash welfare can be withdrawn at an ATM or used on anything.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP I knew it...

Thanks for the info. Man it's awsome being able to talk to so many differant people about things they do and learn things...

[ShamsWoof10]

Just skip down to the end...

The following is a conversation with Mr. Ron Supinski of the Public Information Department of the San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank. This is an account of that conversation.

CALLER - Mr. Supinski, does my country own the Federal Reserve System?

MR. SUPINSKI - We are an agency of the government.

CALLER - That's not my question. Is it owned by my country?

MR. SUPINSKI - It is an agency of the government created by congress.

CALLER - Is the Federal Reserve a Corporation?

MR. SUPINSKI - Yes

CALLER - Does my government own any of the stock in the Federal Reserve?

MR. SUPINSKI - No, it is owned by the member banks.

CALLER - Are the member banks private corporations?

MR. SUPINSKI - Yes

CALLER - Are Federal Reserve Notes backed by anything?

MR. SUPINSKI-Yes, by the assets of the Federal Reserve but, primarily by the power of congress to lay tax on the people.

CALLER - Did you say, by the power to collect taxes is what backs Federal Reserve Notes?

MR. SUPINSKI - Yes

CALLER - What are the total assets of the Federal Reserve?

MR. SUPINSKI - The San Francisco Bank has $36 Billion in assets.

CALLER - What are these assets composed of?

MR. SUPINSKI - Gold, the Federal Reserve Bank itself and government securities.

CALLER - What value does the Federal Reserve Bank carry gold per oz. on their books?

MR. SUPINSKI - I don't have that information but the San Francisco Bank has $1.6 billion in gold.

CALLER - Are you saying the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco has $1.6 billion in gold, the bank itself and the balance of the assets is government securities?

MR. SUPINSKI - Yes.

CALLER - Where does the Federal Reserve get Federal Reserve Notes from?

MR. SUPINSKI - They are authorized by the Treasury.

CALLER - How much does the Federal Reserve pay for a $10 Federal Reserve Note?

MR. SUPINSKI - Fifty to seventy cents.

CALLER - How much do they pay for a $100.00 Federal Reserve Note?

MR. SUPINSKI - The same fifty to seventy cents.

CALLER - To pay only fifty cents for a $100.00 is a tremendous gain, isn't it?

MR. SUPINSKI - Yes

CALLER - According to the US Treasury, the Federal Reserve pays $20.60 per 1,000 denomination or a little over two cents for a $100.00 bill, is that correct?

MR. SUPINSKI - That is probably close.

CALLER - Doesn't the Federal Reserve use the Federal Reserve Notes that cost about two cents each to purchase US Bonds from the government?

MR. SUPINSKI - Yes, but there is more to it than that.

CALLER - Basically, that is what happens?

MR. SUPINSKI - Yes, basically you are correct.

CALLER - How many Federal Reserve Notes are in circulation?

MR. SUPINSKI - $263 billion and we can only account for a small percentage.

CALLER - Where did they go?

MR. SUPINSKI - Peoples mattress, buried in their back yards and illegal drug money.

CALLER - Since the debt is payable in Federal Reserve Notes, how can the $4 trillion national debt be paid-off with the total Federal Reserve Notes in circulation?

MR. SUPINSKI - I don't know.

CALLER - If the Federal Government would collect every Federal Reserve Note in circulation would it be mathematically possible to pay the $4 trillion national debt?

MR. SUPINSKI - No

CALLER - Am I correct when I say, $1 deposited in a member bank $8 can be lent out through Fractional Reserve Policy?

MR. SUPINSKI - About $7.

CALLER - Correct me if I am wrong but, $7 of additional Federal Reserve Notes were never put in circulation. But, for lack of better words were "created out of thin air " in the form of credits and the two cents per denomination were not paid either. In other words, the Federal Reserve Notes were not physically printed but, in reality were created by a journal entry and lent at interest. Is that correct?

MR. SUPINSKI - Yes

CALLER - Is that the reason there are only $263 billion Federal Reserve Notes in circulation?

MR. SUPINSKI - That is part of the reason.

CALLER - Am I mistaking that when the Federal Reserve Act was passed (on Christmas Eve) in 1913, it transferred the power to coin and issue our nation's money and to regulate the value thereof from Congress to a Private corporation. And my country now borrows what should be our own money from the Federal Reserve (a private corporation) plus interest. Is that correct and the debt can never be paid off under the current money system of country?

MR. SUPINSKI - Basically, yes.

CALLER - I smell a rat, do you?

MR. SUPINSKI - I am sorry, I can't answer that, I work here.

CALLER - Has the Federal Reserve ever been independently audited?

MR. SUPINSKI - We are audited.

CALLER - Why is there a current House Resolution 1486 calling for a complete audit of the Federal Reserve by the GAO and why is the Federal Reserve resisting?

MR. SUPINSKI - I don't know.

CALLER - Does the Federal Reserve regulate the value of Federal Reserve Notes and interest rates?

MR. SUPINSKI - Yes

CALLER - Explain how the Federal Reserve System can be Constitutional if, only the Congress of the US, which comprises of the Senate and the House of representatives has the power to coin and issue our money supply and regulate the value thereof? [Article 1 Section 1 and Section 8] Nowhere, in the Constitution does it give Congress the power or authority to transfer any powers granted under the Constitution to a private corporation or, does it?

MR. SUPINSKI - I am not an expert on constitutional law. I can refer you to our legal department.

CALLER - I can tell you I have read the Constitution. It does NOT provide that any power granted can be transferred to a private corporation. Doesn't it specifically state, all other powers not granted are reserved to the States and to the citizens? Does that mean to a private corporation?

MR. SUPINSKI - I don't think so, but we were created by Congress.

CALLER - Would you agree it is our country and it should be our money as provided by our Constitution?

MR. SUPINSKI - I understand what you are saying.

CALLER - Why should we borrow our own money from a private consortium of bankers? Isn't this why we had a revolution, created a separate sovereign nation and a Bill of Rights?

MR. SUPINSKI - (Declined to answer).

CALLER - Has the Federal Reserve ever been declared constitutional by the Supreme Court?

MR. SUPINSKI - I believe there has been court cases on the matter.

CALLER - Have there been Supreme Court Cases?

MR. SUPINSKI - I think so, but I am not sure.

CALLER - Didn't the Supreme Court declare unanimously in A.L.A. Schechter Poultry Corp. vs. US and Carter vs. Carter Coal Co. the corporative-state arrangement an unconstitutional delegation of legislative power? ["The power conferred is the power to regulate. This is legislative delegation in its most obnoxious form; for it is not even delegation to an official or an official body, presumptively disinterested, but to private persons." Carter vs. Carter Coal Co...]

MR. SUPINSKI - I don't know, I can refer you to our legal department.

CALLER - Isn't the current money system a house of cards that must fall because, the debt can mathematically never be paid-off?

MR. SUPINSKI - It appears that way. I can tell you have been looking into this matter and are very knowledgeable. However, we do have a solution.

CALLER - What is the solution?

MR. SUPINSKI - The DC.

Ha! I'm a welfare worker, this one's right up my alley!!

Back in the old days (like, 10 years ago ), food stamps used to come in paper coupon form. They still might in some areas, I'm not certain. Nowadays, food stamp recipients are given an electronic benefit transfer card that works a lot like a DC. Now instead of handing paper coupons to the cashier, they can swipe their EBT card just like a DC. Food stamps can be used to buy, duh, food products. You can't buy things like toothpaste or toilet paper with them.

Some areas might still use the paper coupons, I'm uncertain. We were actually just sent an email a few days ago letting us know that there is currently legislation in the works to decertify all paper coupons (i.e. make them worthless) a year after passing the law. I think this might only be because the paper coupons never expired, and some people still have some. I don't know.

swede96, that sounds a lot like WIC (Women Infants Children). WIC gives recipients X amount of something per month. Generally, it's baby formula that women use them for. I'm not aware of any food stamps that require you to buy certain brands or foods. They can be used on any food.

Cash welfare is handled the same way: the money is placed in the account linked to the EBT card. Unlike food stamp money, cash welfare can be withdrawn at an ATM or used on anything.

Yes. With the EBT card, we can track everywhere it is used. This is useful for determining clients fraudulently claiming to be living in a state that they aren't in. It can also help with tracking stolen cards.

It sounds like they just want to increase the current food stamp benefit level for people already on them and/or raise the income limits. I suppose it is a way of helping families have more money available to spend on other things, since food stamps can only be spent on food, this lets a family spend their other money on non-food-related things.

[jjgold]

I almost applied for them last year but we had an in with food manager at Foodtown and got free food.

[Wrigley]

I dont think food stamps are used anymore I think they give you a card instead.

I remember when they had stamps you could buy them from people getting them at 50 cent on the dollar so they could get there cigs and beer.

[Shark79]

How much would it cost to print out these debit cards, who will be the issuer and how will they determine who should benefit from it?

U guys are Fvcked!

[Cabo]

I've never seen a food stamp, hopefully never will.

[djeffectz]

Im a manger at a seafood market, I see people that drives nice cars, like bmw and lexus that uses foodstamps....

[BrentCrude]

Sham's, we talked about Aldis food stores once before.In my opinion this would be about the best place where the average down and outer on food stamps would get bang for their buck in buying food.

Do most people on food stamps shop at places like Aldis or Super Wal Mart where you get allot for your food stamps?I see quite a few people spending them at these places but I also see people spending tons of them at places like your 7 Eleven's and mom and pop corner stores where they don't get you much.Easy come,easy go I guess where if you are given them for free,some people don't care about value.It's like getting a free comped bet and making a bonehead choice of who you bet for and not getting too mad when you lose because it was for free.You see allot of people using them on Ho Ho's,Ding Dong's,Slim Jim's,name brand super sugar kiddie cereal at $4.50 a box and expensive individual lunch packs.

I know food prices have risen in the past year or two but I'm sure welfare mom's got an increase in the amount of food stamps.I really get pissed off when you hear your Hillary types saying that single mothers and their kids go to bed hungry every night.I wish I could show Hillary what the average welfare mom could get at Aldis for their monthly allotment of food stamps.It would shut Hillary's pie hole if someone showed her.

When you come down to it,do you ever see any skinny welfare moms and their kids?????I don't!

Sham's,try Aldis version of Prego meat spaghetti sauce in the jar.I just had tonight for the first time.Great stuff at a great price!

[Cabo]

Im a manger at a seafood market, I see people that drives nice cars, like bmw and lexus that uses foodstamps....

That's just wrong, but that is the way it is.

[flyingillini]

Here in Ca.. before when they didn't make you show an id we used to buy a hundred dollars worth for 50 bucks from the dope fiends.. those were the days!!

[matskralc]

Im a manger at a seafood market, I see people that drives nice cars, like bmw and lexus that uses foodstamps....

Generally, we don't count the value of a household's car or home (other things, too, but those are the big ones). It's perfectly possible for a household to suddenly lose its income and have no way to purchase food, yet still have nice things.

If the public assistance system is truly supposed to be a "safety net", then people shouldn't be required to reduce themselves to nothing before becoming eligible. A safety net catches you when you fall, and you get right back up again. If you require people to have nothing before qualifying for public assistance, then all you're going to have is a bunch of people trapped in the system.

That's not a safety net, that's a form of oppression.

[ShamsWoof10]

Sham's, we talked about Aldis food stores once before.In my opinion this would be about the best place where the average down and outer on food stamps would get bang for their buck in buying food.

Do most people on food stamps shop at places like Aldis or Super Wal Mart where you get allot for your food stamps?I see quite a few people spending them at these places but I also see people spending tons of them at places like your 7 Eleven's and mom and pop corner stores where they don't get you much.Easy come,easy go I guess where if you are given them for free,some people don't care about value.It's like getting a free comped bet and making a bonehead choice of who you bet for and not getting too mad when you lose because it was for free.You see allot of people using them on Ho Ho's,Ding Dong's,Slim Jim's,name brand super sugar kiddie cereal at $4.50 a box and expensive individual lunch packs.

I know food prices have risen in the past year or two but I'm sure welfare mom's got an increase in the amount of food stamps.I really get pissed off when you hear your Hillary types saying that single mothers and their kids go to bed hungry every night.I wish I could show Hillary what the average welfare mom could get at Aldis for their monthly allotment of food stamps.It would shut Hillary's pie hole if someone showed her.

When you come down to it,do you ever see any skinny welfare moms and their kids?????I don't!

Sham's,try Aldis version of Prego meat spaghetti sauce in the jar.I just had tonight for the first time.Great stuff at a great price!

Super Wal-Mart is that cheap..?

I agree generally about Alde no doubt about it but not everything is quite the same though... Most of the stuff is just as good but there are SOME things that are like cardboard compared to name brands...

I also agree there is abuse but we are that way as humans... don't you think books look at us the same way..? If you give a human the chance to bend you over they will...

BCrude you're the man but I only go with Prego... All that other stuff is watery and thin as f*ck... I like my sauce like I like my women..THICK and QUALITY!!!

[WileOut]

Here in Ca.. before when they didn't make you show an id we used to buy a hundred dollars worth for 50 bucks from the dope fiends.. those were the days!!

People still do the same thing with gift cards from anywhere like wal mart. People steal the merchandise, return it for a giftcard worth of the goods they steal, and then walk outside and sell it for half. Or just give the cards to directly to the drug dealers and get half the value of the card in drugs.

[curious]

Please direct this question to durito, donjuan and tacomax. I am sure that they will be able to give us lots of personal experiences in applying for, and using food stamps.

[ShamsWoof10]

oh and for the idiots who think that people getting aid are balling out of control....you are stupid

they get about $500 a month for a 4 person family

and about $340 a month cash

I can make more than that hanging out at the track or the casino

that shit aint paying no bills...lets get real here people

these people live in slums and anywhere they can live....basically they are poor as **** and they arent allowed to have cars in their name or ANYTHING...not even one dime in their bank acct

you make it seem like these people are getting rich of your tax dollars

I still believe humans just take advantage by nature if they can but there is MUCH truth to your post...

they are barely making it month to month.....the problem in america is everyone is always so worried about the next man...it makes them feel better about their life....and the fact that their kids grew up with a silver spoon in their mouth and are all ****ed up now like paris hilton....growing up with everything given to them...and didnt learn how to have any hustle....so stop worrying about everyone else...and look in the mirror today

I COMPLETELY agree with this and actually I am just as bad so I got the mirror out myself...

[zerocage]

Food stamps??? Its a card ain't it?? I know a bitch with 3 kids , and they put her food stamp money on a card or something.

[swede96]

I think you are confusing food stamps with WIC coupons. Food stamps were good for any food item, and often recipients would sell them for half price to other people , so they could buy beer,cigs,drugs,etc.

WIC coupons were good for specific items.

WIC= women with infants and children. I remember both from being a grocery cashier long ago.

I think you're right. She recieved WIC and medical, not food stamps. My sister was on food stamp back in the days of actual paper that looked like money. Now there's a DC system. I believe all food stamps are regulated to an extent...I remember seeing a rant on our local Craigslist about some loser causing a scene in a store because she couldn't use her card for twinkies or some other junk food that her kid wanted.