State limits use of welfare recipients’ debit cards, By Jack Dolan, November 2, 2010, Los Angeles Times: “California welfare recipients will no longer be able to use their state-issued debit cards at medical marijuana shops, psychics, massage parlors and many other businesses whose services have been deemed ‘inconsistent’ with the goals of the program. The Schwarzenegger administration sent a letter to county welfare directors Monday announcing that ATMs and point-of-sale card readers in such business will be removed from the network that accepts California’s Electronic Benefits Transfer cards. The letter said the cards, which allow access to cash meant to help families pay rent and clothe their children, also will no longer work at bail bond establishments, bingo halls, gun shops, bars, race tracks, smoking shops, tattoo parlors and on cruise ships…”
Day: November 2, 2010
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – New Mexico
More New Mexico families using food assistance, By Sandra Baltazar Martinez, November 2, 2010, The New Mexican: “More New Mexicans have turned to the federal government for food help in the past year, in part because of the weak economy and partly because of a change in eligibility. As of September, 165,000 families had received the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, up from 135,000 in September 2009. The numbers have been rising since 2008, when the economy started to sour, said Betina Gonzales McCracken, public-information officer for New Mexico Human Services Department…”