<p>"The station used public records requests to reveal that in the span of one year, people using state-issued welfare debit cards withdrew about $2 million from ATMs at Washington casinos. Furthermore, it determined that DSHS issued replacement cards, with no questions asked, to people who claimed to have lost theirs. Each month last year, the department handed out an average of 27,000 replacement cards. Some 20,000 people had cards replaced three times or more, and nearly 100 had their cards replaced at least 20 times.</p>
<p>The station also documented cards being sold on the street and on the website Craigslist."</p>
<p>If there are loopholes in the food stamps for college students program that can lead to purchases of booze and junk food, then there is clearly a problem, and the program is loaded with waste. If this money is being used for fueling the brains of the future of our country (only food items allowed, ID checks required, etc.), then it is money invested in our future.</p>
Wow, that’s just an idiotic system then. Make it an account only accessed by the card not directly credited to the one piece of plastic (therefore replacements won’t mean anything) and make it impossible to withdraw from ATMs (like in Florida, I know).</p>
<p>But DON’T just take them from people who need them. A few simple reforms, without cutting anyone, would fix these problems.</p>
<p>^ Especially in Michigan when you’re a 20 year old (or younger) student with no savings and just a high school diploma?</p>
<p>@dolor- No, people absolutely need to be cut. It made me sick to go to the store, see students spend their food stamps on some food, then pull out money for a ton of alcohol and lotto tickets. It used to be that you just needed to be a student to qualify. That isn’t right… it pulls money from those of us who actually need it.</p>
Okay, but then how do they find out who those students are? Is there another sort of measure they should be using? While that’s certainly an abuse, I’d rather that happen than too many be cut and have the ones who need it go hungry.</p>
<p>I think that it should be based on things like family income, costs, etc. I also think that you should prove that you’re trying to find work or working whatever you can get. But it’s ridiculous that I knew students from very well off families who would get money from their families for “food”, use the Bridge Card, and then use that money for alcohol. </p>
<p>There absolutely needs to be reforms, but you simply can’t just let every single student have a Bridge Card (like it was)- that’s insane!</p>
<p>Hm, yeah, it does seem like college students (under 24, like for insurance?) should be treated as dependents of their parents for that. Though what if the parents refuse to pay for anything? They are adults… Hm, hard issue to tackle.</p>
<p>^ And that I understand… I think it’s fairly easy to tell when you have family support. If you’re making ends meet without a job and without a full ride, then you probably have family help. If you’re working and could make ends meet, then that’s trickier because parents might still be helping even though you can make it on your own. I’d still rather give it to those students who are working (although not 20 hours minimum as that’s very difficult to find) who are getting help from parents than those who are not working.</p>
Yeah, it does seem like working (or trying to work) is a decent (if not perfect) measure of things, though I suppose you’d have to factor in school awards, parent finances, and a lot of other things that would alter the equations.</p>
<p>I do take issue with this in the article, though:
Presumably a while ago and in a better economic climate. And if the rule is 20-hours, that’s quite a bit, for a full time student.</p>
<p>Overall, it just seems like this will contribute more to college student debt.</p>
<p>romani - will you be working in a work/study position during the school year? If so, you are eligible for food assistance (as long as you meet the income guidelines, and work/study income does NOT count) in Michigan (and in other states, from what I can tell). Students on work/study qualify, it does not matter how many hours per week they work. </p>
Working students
Students who receive federal work study assistance.
Students who work at least 20 hours a week or who earn weekly wages of at least $145 (20 hrs x federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr).
Students in an approved on-the-job training program or one under the Jobs Training Partnership Act (JTPA).
Students caring for young children
A parent who lives with and provides at least half of the care for a child under 6 (even if there is more than 1 adult in the household).
A parent in a two-adult household who shows they cannot get adequate childcare to allow them to work and go to school for a child age 6-11. Other adults in the home who are at least 18 may be expected to provide care.
A parent who is a full time student and providing all the care for a child … (continues)</p>
<p>“Participating in a state or federally-funded work study program
(funded in full or in part under Title IV-C of the Higher Education
Act of 1965, as amended) during the regular school year.
To qualify under this provision the student must be approved for
work study during the school term and anticipate actually working
during that time. The exemption:
•• Starts the month the school term begins or the month work
study is approved, whichever is later.
•• Continues until the end of the month in which the school term
ends, or when you become aware that the student has
refused a work-study assignment.
•• Remains between terms or semesters when the break is less
than a full month, or the student is still participating in work
study during the break.” <a href=“http://www.mfia.state.mi.us/olmweb/ex/bem/245.pdf[/url]”>http://www.mfia.state.mi.us/olmweb/ex/bem/245.pdf</a> (from bottom of page 3)</p>
<p>@momcat- Thanks for that. When I asked someone about my eligibility, they said I didn’t qualify because of not working 20 hours. I hope I do because I barely make ends meet as it is. Thank you!</p>
<p>Toledo, I agree completely! I grew up in the eighties where it wasn’t a choice for students to take a gap year or two but rather a necessity. I knew I wanted to go to grad school but my savings had been depleted; so, like many others, I worked, lived on pb&j’s and mac-n-cheese, had several roomates to share costs, and I saved (and saved, and saved). I accumulated enough money to be able to work in the day and take 6 hours per semester in the evenings. Yes, it took a bit longer, but I didn’t complain about the situation – it was what it was.</p>
<p>College is NOT an entitlement! There are ways to get that degree if you’re motivated and determined. It may take you longer, but it can be done.</p>