Several States Looking at Restricting What People Can Buy with Their Food Stamps and Welfare Checks

We have all heard about welfare reform over and over again.  Some states have gone as far as requiring drug tests for welfare recipients.  Now it looks as if several states are cracking down on what people purchase with their welfare benefits.  Limits may be set on what people can use their welfare and food stamps on.

If Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signs House Bill 2258 into law, then families receiving welfare benefits will not be able to use their money on certain items.  They will not be able to use their benefits in the following places: retail liquor store, casino, gaming establishment, jewelry store, tattoo parlor, massage parlor, body
piercing parlor, spa, nail salon, lingerie shop, tobacco paraphernalia store, vapor cigarette store, psychic or fortune telling business, bail bond company, video arcade, movie theater, swimming pool, cruise ship, theme park, dog or horse racing facility, parimutuel facility, or sexually oriented business or any retail establishment which provides adult-oriented entertainment.

Recipients would only be able to withdraw $25 from their accounts per day.

Missouri State Senator Rick Brattin, is sponsoring a bill, House Bill 813,  that would put restrictions on what people could buy with their food stamps.  Those items that could not be purchased include,cookies, chips, energy drinks, soft drinks, seafood, and steaks.