Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that Florida will be the first state in the country to restrict temporary cash assistance benefits from being used with EBT [Electronic Benefits Transfer] cards and TANF [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families] grants for inappropriate and non-essential purchases at certain retail locations while speaking at a press conference in Tampa today.
The restricted items include:
- Tobacco and vaping products
- Drugs and intoxicants
- Adult materials
- Video games
- Entertainment tickets
- Theme park subscriptions
- Tattoos
- Tanning beds
- Fortune telling services
"We just want to make sure that that money is going to the things that are going to help that individual and help the dependents. Doing it on some of these things is not going to do that," DeSantis said. "We want it to be focused on things. We think that'll ultimately save taxpayer money and reduce fraud but also will help our efforts to be able to get folks the true help that they need."
Gov. DeSantis alluded to some recipients using EBT and TANF for fraud and not their intended purpose.
"Obviously, some of these cards are just people don't need it and it's fraud. I mean they're milking the system," DeSantis said. "They're not really needy. They're scam artists, and so they're using it to do some of this other stuff."
The Trump administration began approving waivers for states to ban certain items through SNAP [Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program] using EBT as part of its "Make America Healthy Again" (MAHA) initiative earlier this year. A federal judge then blocked the waivers after it was challenged by five states in June.
However, the ruling does not affect Florida's ability to restrict where EBT and TANF are used, such as at liquor stores and adult entertainment establishments. Florida's restrictions now await federal approval.
While making his announcement, Gov. DeSantis also suggested other more self-sufficient options for Floridians, including First Lady Casey DeSantis's Hope Florida CarePortal, which connects seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities with local churches to provide companionship and support.
"How do you think the better pathway to self-sufficiency is going to be? Continuing on EBT, or if the church comes or a charity comes and takes an interest and wants to lift up somebody that may be in need," DeSantis said. "I can tell you, the people that have gone through the care portal, we've had tens of thousands of people eliminate their reliance on means-tested government welfare benefits, and ultimately, the strength of our economy and our society is not how many people we can get EBT cards to – it's going to be how many people can we liberate from needing an EBT card in the first place. That has been the philosophy that we've had in the state of Florida."
Interim Deputy Secretary for the Florida Department of Children Kate Williams praised DeSantis for the announcement.
"Governor DeSantis has set has set a clear expectation that Florida administer government assistance programs with both compassion and integrity," Williams said. "At the department, that means ensuring families can access meaningful supports when they need it, while protecting taxpayer dollars and administering each program consistent with its intended purpose."
