Yeh. You should want to get off of public assistance. It should be embarrassing to have to leech off of the taxpayers. Yeh yeh, I know everyone puts in money (they say) but they don't put in THAT MUCH money.
That depends...a recently divorced mother using it as a bridge while she gets on her feet probably in her married life has put in enough and will not take as much out as she has put in. Someone unemployed for a while: the same. Consider all sources of tax going in. There are people in better times who may have paid the penalty on their retirement monies for example(THEIR MONEY) who probably have put more in then even your average working full time taxpayer due to that penalty situation. Taxes on investment income, etc. I think it depends on the situation prior to and after the bridge that someone needs help as to whether they have put in anything to take out. Now, the lifetime moochers and the ones who are on and off throughout their adult lives. yeah, can't see where they've ever put a thing in to take any sort of benefit out.
As for the cash benefit, as I understand it that is ONLY on those cards if someone is receiving WELFARE too. One who only gets food benefit can not take out any of that food benefit in cash, however those receiving both food stamps and welfare could. I guess how I understand this is basically snap now equals what was food stamps and cash benefit now equals what was once called welfare. Just in times of old you can't use food stamps for cash--at least not legally--of course we can all tell the stories of under the table crap where people sell them but I'm talking about using the card, putting in the id #, and getting cash out on a card that only has snap. Can't happen...if it does, they have WELFARE ie cash benefit money on there too. I think it's rare that anyone who actually works gets welfare. Food stamps(snap) yes, welfare(cash benefit) no.
Sorry, I know way more about this then I wish I did. Dealing with a disabled child and preparing for adulthood for him knowing I will not be there someday to coordinate things for him gets one intimately acquainted with the help out there intended for people like him who can not care for themselves and how that will be accomplished.
