EBT (Public Assistance) Accepted at Ross - When Did This Start?

Hi erikaks-

I have an EBT card where my child support payments go.

I live in VA, and this program (where social services has arranged to garnish my ex's pay) keeps track of the $$ (or lack of...LOL).

There is no public assistance associated with my card...and YES...for myriad things (like homecoming outfits etc) I have been glad to have 'ross' take that card for my kiddos.

Best Luck!
michele/cat

I think it's great. There are a lot of people in need of more than just food. Clothes ARE a necessity so why not? Many people cannot afford to get their children clothes and other things for school so I think it's great that places like Ross who is affordable is offering this. There are backpacks, shoes and other things they can get there, all in one stop.

Not everyone qualifies for this portion of assistance, and it's not the same as just food assistance but it is the same card. I dont understand why so many people think this is so terrible. Most of these people work just as hard as anyone else, but they just aren't fortunate enough to still be able to afford everything they definitely need.

And if this helps more kids stay warm, and properly suited for the school year, and adults be able to get interview clothes to get a job, etc then I am all for it.

Its because Ross does have a food section. They have candies and jams and all kinds of other things. I am sure that is why they allow it. You can't use EBT on CLOTHES.

Also those who are judging, remember that most people are only a few paychecks away from losing their home or being homeless. Unless you have walked in their situation, please don't judge.

EBT stands for Electronic Benefit (something). It's the new "welfare check." Instead of getting a check in the mail, benefits are put on the card on the 1st of the month and the card is used like any other debit card.

I have not seen that Ross accepts it, but why not? K-Mart does and also possibly Wal-Mart. I think it's great - even people on public assistance have to buy clothing. Why shouldn't it be as convenient for them as it is for those of us not on assistance.

What does it matter if this helps me personally or anyone on this site? It does help the retailer and it helps those who receive benefits. Sounds like you are biased against people receiving assistance. I would ask you to consider that one catastrophic accident/illness could put any one of us on the public assistance rolls. Judge not, lest ye be judged!

I thought EBT was food-stamps??? Our local convenience store accepts it too--I just noticed a huge sign today. So, not only do some people get free groceries, they can use it a convenience store and spend $6 for a gallon of milk! The rest of us have to plan ahead to avoid paying $6 for milk!

Well, I don't know about CA but in some states EBT is strictly food assistance and in other states it is food assistance and cash assistance. Cash assistance can be spent on anything so I would assume that that is why Ross is accepting EBT. Welfare recipients need clothing items just like everyone else, right?

I just googled it, and it looks like this card is used for food assistance (SNAP program), as well as to help with daily necessities. I checked what kinds of stores in a 5 mile radius of my house would accept this card, and it is mostly grocery stores and drug stores. One gas station also accepts it, and Dollar Tree. So I'm guessing it's for all kinds of needs, not just food. Ross seems like a decent place to look if you need to buy interview or work clothes, or clothes for children to wear to school, or a warm winter jacket, etc. I am definitely okay with tax dollars going to places like that. I know there are families at our school who are on assistance due to both parents losing their jobs; their kids aren't exactly wearing the latest fashions, but at least they have shoes on their feet and clothing to wear. I feel badly for them because instead of bringing a nice lunch from home, these kids have to eat the free lunch at school (and it's pretty yucky food, the kids don't like it). :(

What the...?!?!

The heck is this world coming to?!

McDonald's accepts EBT as well...

not sure when it started at Ross...how interesting that part of our tax dollars to support those who are "needy" are now being used at clothing stores...

EBT cards are cards that can hold a vast array of things. It can hold your child support payments, that is money just like your money by the way, not welfare. It can hold food stamps which is supposed to be used to supplement your food bill, not replace it but be a support to it so you can buy more. It can hold a welfare payment that is a sort of monthly check that some who can't find work can get temporarily. It can also be used to swipe in and out at your child's child care facility. Almost every one of my 50+ parents used one of these every day to check in and out of child care so we, and the state, would know if their child was there that day and for how many hours. Most kids are in child care for over 10 hours per day but some just come after school and they only may pay 1/2 day for those children.

So an EBT card is a card that carries a lot of information on it. It's not only for food. It also has the ability to be used like a debit and you can simply draw the cash out too. It's not just a welfare item. It's for anyone who is getting child care assistance, child support through the state program that is free to get money out of dead beat dads, and it's for food stamps and welfare too.

Quite simply it's a state issued debit card.

I've never used EBT either, bit my understanding is that you have a food stamp total and, of you receive a monthly cash amount as well, it's also on the card. You can use the "food stamp" portion only for cold, unprepared food not hot or prepared food.(example deli meat and buns? Yes. A prepared hoagie? No.)
The cash option is for you to use for any other purchases and expenses throughout the month (paper products, clothing, etc) so I don't see why someone couldn't use the cash portion at McD's if they choose to IF they receive that additional assistance.

EBT cards are not only used for state aid. Some of them are where child support money is deposited. It also doesn't only apply to food, there is cash assistance. In most cases people have to pull that cash out at a fee, then use as needed that way. This helps cut back on the fee.

My state no longer has EBT cards. Ours look like a credit card and even has a visa logo, it can be ran as a debit card or used for food.

EBT cards can also be used at Target, Smart & Final, Walmart, etc., for food and cash items, at Payless for shoes and all they sell, probably other stores as well and CANNOT be used in casinos, strip clubs, etc., at least in CA.

Thank God, because I am raising my youngest grandchild and cannot work due to having fibromyalgia and need to use my EBT card to buy the things he needs. Oh, and the cash portion can be used for diapers if the store accepting the EBT card sells them.

They can also be used at:

Strip clubs and
casinos

Here in WA your EBT card has two ways to use it. One is for food (food stamps) and one is for cash (or welfare). When you swipe the card you have the choice to use food or cash assistance.

I saw a woman in texas trying to buy lottery tickets with hers. The manager told her she needed to get food but she insisted it was hers to do what she wanted. I would OUTLAW that.

I believe it has been around a for some time now. I needed assistance back in 2006. It helped so much, I was able to get off of public assistance in less than 9 months. Its actually part of "food stamps" and cash aid. Its put all onto one EBT card, you have the option to use as cash or food stamps.
M.

EBT cards hold not only the money that the state provides for food, but it also is linked with a cash account, which if the parent qualifies to receive money from the state, goes into the cash account, which is for clothing, school supplies, etc.., but also any money they get in child support can also be put on there. I imagine this is for those parents that do not own or can not get a checking account. So, the EBT card is not only for food. Hope this answers your question.

Yeah, yeah, there's so much injustice when it comes to the welfare system.

As someone who was almost in the position to need them, and now is doing well, I am just thankful that I am able to make ends meet and don't need to rely on a program like this to live.

DH & I have talked about this & we feel that food assistance should go back to the way it was, in the form of a "food bank", but modernized & with healthier foods. More of a store just for those with food assistance cards, with no questionable or overly frivolous items.