Let me see … I have had a drivers license for 70 years. I have never lost it (either to law enforcement or to neglect). I have had a credit card since 1980. I think I may have mislaid it twice in all that time. Yet folks who have EBT cards are allowed to ” […]
EBT cards
Posted inMaine
DHHS implements new rule on reissuing lost EBT cards
When a client of the Office for Family Independence asks for an EBT card replacement for the fifth time in 12 months, the office will ask for a reason. The previous four replacement requests will be granted automatically, according to a DHHS statement issued Wednesday. If the client does not respond to the request for information, […]
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Posted inLetters
Needed — legislators with courage
This is in response to the story in the Sun Journal about benefit bartering (Aug. 16). I have two points to make: • Is there no one in the State Legislature with enough courage to pass new laws against the fraud being committed by some receivers of state aid (MaineCare, SNAP and TANF)? Laws are […]
Posted inLetters
B. Noddin: Letter writer lacks understanding
Thomas Shields’ latest rant against the poor and those who fight for them, namely Democrats, was particularly sad. Sad because his letter (Sun Journal, Jan. 7, “Photo ID would reduce fraud”) clearly showed that he has no understanding of what it is like living in hopeless poverty. He used the examples of needing a photo […]
Posted inLetters
K. Smith: Photos on EBT cards not useful
In response to Thomas Shields’ letter (Jan. 7) regarding requiring an ID card in order to vote, has he forgotten about the use of poll taxes in this country? Poll taxes were used to hinder minorities and poorer white people in their efforts to vote. Eventually, it became illegal to require any kind of fee […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
DHHS says EBT card photo fight could lead to loss of SNAP benefits
AUGUSTA — The roughly 249,000 Mainers who receive federal funds to help them buy food could see that aid vanish if an ongoing dispute between state and federal agencies over a new program that urges recipients to put their photos on the cards they use to buy groceries. Food and Nutrition Service — the U.S. […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
LePage administration defends photo EBT cards
AUGUSTA (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage’s administration is firing back at the federal government over its policy of putting welfare recipients’ photos on the cards used to access food stamps, which federal officials have warned could cause Maine to lose some program funding. In a Dec. 18 letter to the Food and Nutrition Service obtained […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Feds again urge Maine to delay EBT card photos
AUGUSTA (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage’s administration said Monday that it will begin putting photos on welfare benefit cards throughout Maine, but federal officials are again urging the state to wait to ensure that it is complying with laws and regulations. Maine has been issuing the new electronic benefit transfer cards in Bangor since April, […]
Posted inMaine
Maine blocks EBT cards at 44 ATMs in strip clubs, bars and liquor stores
AUGUSTA — Continuing its efforts to block the use of welfare benefits on prohibited products or services, Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s administration announced Monday that it has blocked the use of state-issued electronic benefit transfer cards at 44 ATM locations across Maine. Examples of ATMs in strip joints, liquor stores, night clubs and bars were […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine issues EBT cards with photos
BANGOR — Maine on Monday began issuing welfare benefit cards with photos on them in an effort to crack down on fraud and abuse, despite a request from the federal government to wait until it can ensure the state’s plan doesn’t negatively impact recipients or retailers. John Martins, spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services, […]