Question for parents on Food Stamps?

Question

Okay, I've never been on food stamps, and I have absolutely nothing against those who need them. My question is, for those of you who are on them. Do you believe you should be allowed to get soda and chips with them? They aren't necessities and I personally don't feel you should be able to. If you want them bad enough, use cash. Just curious as to what other people think about this.

Oh, and I work as a cashier so I know that not everyone does it, but a lot of people buy like three items of actual food and the rest is nothing but junk.

To Liyah's Mommy, you misunderstood. I don't think it's wrong to buy it, what I mean is those who buy NOTHING but junk food. I have no problem with people buying a case of soda and a bag of chips or whatever if they buy actual nourishing food as well.

To Colleen O,

I live in Pennsylvania and people ARE allowed to buy those things here. So don't lecture me on what I'm SUPPOSED to do.

Answer 1

I know what you mean. Personally I have been on food stamps, but we needed them very badly. Honestly, I thought of that the same as cash. I was very careful with how I spent them as I knew that was the only money for food that we would have for the month. I also clipped the food saver coupons from the newspaper and such. I very rarely bought 'junk food', but everyone deserves a treat once in a while. The food stamp benefits never last the whole month, we had to go to a food bank a few times. I am telling you, that was so embarrassing!
I understand how you feel about people misusing and abusing the privilege though. I would be trying to make things better for my family, working, and busting my rear, trying to pay rent, driving an old clunker car, and having the social services take away benefits if I made an extra dime, and then see Sally Slother down the block not take care of her kids, buy all kinds of junk, have a nice car, and be on food stamps and getting money assistance. It never made since to me how some people can get away with all that. They really take away the benefits for people who really need it like I did back then. Oh well, sorry for getting on the soapbox-your question just hit a sore spot with me. Thanks for letting me vent!

Answer 2

I dont think its right at all!!! I have seen first hand people at gas stations buying pop and candy bars and think thats a crock of s***!! What I dont get is that they can buy these things but cant buy toliet paper, I mean you can live without a candy bar and pop but you cant really live without toliet paper. I was on public aid years and years ago( when they actully gave you paper food stamps) and see nothing wrong with it. There are those people that do abuse the system, the ones buying the candy bars at the gas staion all while their kids are at the babysitters cause there going out that nite. If you can afford to go out and buy booze then why cant you afford to buy food for your family. I know not everyone on public aid does this but we all know that some do and thats what makes me sick....I am greatful it was there when I needed but it shouldnt be a life style..living on it and all!!!

Answer 3

hmmm yeah lets spend cash on food and not gas for th car yep that makes tons of sense... i buy pop with my stamps and chips but i do cook a full meals everyday so i buy meat as well just because i don't buy it where u work doesn't mean i don't feed my family properly. maybe your damn meat costs to much and i want to shop around....like walmart their meat is way more then any where else so i don't buy it there i get chips and pop and sides that go with my meals there because it is cheaper. and in this day and age 'junk food'is something most normal ppl eat. i don't think it should be the only thing anyone gets but like i said maybe it's cheaper else where. and yes someppl do abuse the system...

and if they get food stamps and have kids they most likely get wic as well which gets their milk cheese bean peanut butter eggs and juice.
so maybe u should grow up and not look down ur nose at ppl... as MOST i'm sure buy proper things for their family

Answer 4

I was on food stamps a few years back and I absolutly don't think you should be able to buy junk food. I think its rediculous you cant buy yourself an energy drink to keep you awake at work so you can try to earn more money to get off the food stamps, yet you can go buy a soda pop just because you want it. You can also buy bags of candy! It is ridicualous... People who buy only junk food with their food stamps are probably lying to the system sayin they r single when they really have a boyfriend living with them or a roomate who makes good money. (sister in law cheats the system like that)

Answer 5

I am currently on food stamps and I'm pregnant. I am only in the program because I am on disability until my child is born and I don't have enough money to pay the bills, buy items for my child to be, and get food. In my opinion, food stamps sholud only be used to get the necessities like fruits, vegetables, and healthy dinners. Of course, many other people would disagree.

Answer 6

I understand what you are saying and I don't understand it either. My sister came home telling me that a man came through her till at the grocery store and paid for all of his food with food stamps. All of his food was tub jubejubes, candy canes, candy from the bulk section, etc. He spend $50 on it!

It really makes you wonder. If this man truly is depending on food stamps to be able to buy his weekly groceries, why is he spending it all on candy? Should he not be using it to buy veggies and meat and milk and bread? My sister and I had a long talk about it, and in the end we concluded that there is no way to police that type of abuse of the food stamp program.


EDIT
To Collen O,
In Ontario, at least, there are no restrictions on what you can buy with food stamps.

Answer 7

I'm on Food Stamps now and I buy soda and chips and other "junk food." It's food, so it's a neccesity. Just because you don't eat it, doesn't mean it is. I have seen people that buy nothing but junk food ie: pizza, soda, candy, chips, cookies, etc. no milk, cheese, eggs, meat, etc. basic food items, yet they have like 5 little kids running around. What do the kids eat? I don't believe that we should be stopped from buying it completely, but I do believe that the whole amount shouldn't be spent on junk food.

As to the chick above me: You're basically saying that anyone who buys junk food with food stamps is defrauding the system. That they have a boyfriend or roommate and they don't tell Public Aid. Bul*sh*t. I buy that stuff and my caseworker knows that I live with my fiance. Our benefits are based strictly on his income. So explain to me how I'm defrauding them?


To Colleen: In Illinois, the only things you're not allowed to buy with food stamps are non-food items and hot, pre-cooked items like stuff from the deli's at Wal-Mart,etc. So technically no one is defrauding the system by buying candy, etc. because they are allowed to buy it. Also, no one has a right to get mad at me for what I buy. My family's tax dollars pay for my food stamps, too. Not everyone who gets food stamps, doesn't work and pay taxes.

Answer 8

i think that as long as i buy actual food as well for my kids and not just junk food there shouldnt be a problem but i agree that if you are spending all your food stamps on junk food and not on real food then i believe that they should take them away from those people but if it an every once and a while thing then it isnt that big of a deal in my opinion

Answer 9

I see no problem with it, Just because someone needs help doesn't mean they should have to eat oatmeal and pinto beans all the time. I'm just glad their buying food and not selling their food stamps for crack. God bless all those people in hard times. And for all the career welfare trash that just doesn't want to do an honest days work.... Shame on you!!!!!

Answer 10

Our system often does not serve it's intended purpose because people learn how to bend the rules. It is sad to see some of the abuse occuring when there are others in dire need that is not allowed to have help, i.e.some of the elderly who need to buy medication and cannot afford both food and the medication (and cannot get the food stamps).