Cash back welfare cards?

[Russ]

Last night, while waiting to be rung up, I glanced at the debit card machine and noticed a little sign on it. "Maximum $100 cash back on debit and quest cards. Never use cards at the grocery store, so I hadn't seen it before - apparently it's been there for a while.

Anyway, I asked the clerk what a "quest" card is. Guess what? It's how welfare is now done in this state. So, instead of food stamps that require the purchase of food, they can use a card, and get cash back. Nothing like making it even easier to rip off the taxpayer.

Russ, NCNE

 

[Kilgor]

You can't be serious, how could that possibly work? :disgust:

 

[PsychoAndy]

welfare money can now be used to buy more beer and smokes

and you wonder why everyone wants to come here

 

[Thegonagle]

There's always been a cash component of welfare intended for rent and bills. I guess instead of mailing a check, or direct depositing the money thus allowing someone to use a :Q cash card, they just put it on a "Quest" card. It probably cuts down on bad check writing for people who are unable (or refuse) to handle a checking account properly. It?s probably cheaper for the state to operate, too.

And think of the money ATM operators make off machine fees.

 

[todpod]

Here in pennsylvania, we also have the quest card. It is used as a medical card, food stamps, and cash assistance. If you only get food stamps you cannot use it to get cash from anywere. If you get cash assistance you can even get cash back from the walmart check out if you want. You can't get cash back from food stamps as change anymore which is a good thing.

Edit: they don't charge atm fees on these in PA

 

[Russ]

The food coupon portion and the cash portion are combined on this card. Is this thing electronically segregating the two?

Russ, NCNE

 

[Thegonagle]

I assume so, since it would not be difficult, and the food and cash portions have always been seperate (more people qualify for food than cash, I beleive).

 

[todpod]

Yes they are seperate from each other. The real amazing thing is with the food you can get almost anything with it.

 

[gar598]

yea, I was at the super wal-mart yesterday and the person in front of me bought 25 2-liter cokes with her "welfare" card.