Should the government bring in cashless cards for those on government benefits?

Question

So im in Australia and theyre talking about (and rolling out in some areas) cashless cards that cant be spent on alcohol, cigarettes, gambling etc to those who are on government benefits  (unemployed). It will mean they can still get their food, pay bills etc but wont be able to waste tax payers money on shit they dont need. Ive heard a few people going off about it saying the drug addicts will just start to steal more or they will be trading the cards for cash etc but I still think its a damn good idea. Ive also heard people say that the government shouldn't tell them how they spend "their money" but its not really their money at all, its tax payers money and it shouldnt be considered an income... if they dont like it they should get a job like the rest of us. My step kids mother is a welfare recipient who is not happy about this idea but claims she cant work due to having a 4 year old at home 50% of the time. I have 4 bio and 2 step 86% custody and i am 18 weeks pregnant. I work 2 jobs and study online in a degree in Nursing. I feel a lot of welfare recipients are lazy. Not all, but a lot are.

Answer

Some people definitely take advantage of government assistance. And some people genuinely need it. Neither of those types of people who are on welfare NEED alcohol, cigarettes, to gamble, etc.

Answer

I’m not particularly interested in micromanaging the financial transactions of the poor.

Answer

They have them here in the US and I think it’s a good idea. It’s easier, discreet and has people’s names on them so if someone steals the card it’s not like they can just spend it because it’s not their name and they need a PIN number for purchases. I think there will always be people who are overly concerned about people abusing welfare but the reality is that welfare fraud (in my country at least) is few and far between. The overall benefit is greater than the risk of a few people abusing it.

Answer

I think it’s a good idea. I’m in the US. I think they should have to present a photo ID along with the card (presuming it has each person’s name on it) to stop people trading them.

Answer

They have cashless cards in the US.

Answer

Nobody need alcohol or tobacco.  They are getting free money.  The government can set up regulations for hiwnthey want to give their money.  I see nothing wrong with that

Answer

The one thing I've always agreed with how the US runs things, is how they deal with WIC (well the limited things I know anyway).  I like how they give basic groceries and formula instead of cash.  I'm all for this cashless card, and they still get I think 20% of their pay into their regular bank account.  People in my town are constantly protesting it because we will be one of the towns to trial it.  People will still find a way to waste the money on crap they don't need either way, my only issue is how much it's going to cost to roll out the program but if it helps with the massive drug, alcohol and gambling problem then it's worth it.

Answer

When I had no job I had to go on Centrelink, I had a really hard time finding a job after having to leave my job unexpectedly. But I was a tax payer before I lost that job, so I think this kind of treatment would be horrible for the people that are doing it tough. Why does it matter if they want to buy cigarettes, it’s not like they are living comfortably.. it was really hard trying to survive on $250 a week. I think they should drug test people on Centrelink and the ones that don’t pass should have cards instead of cash or just lose their payments. But the crime rates would go through the roof 😒 so I don’t think it would be a great idea to implement.

Answer

No. Give people a shred of dignity and pay by cash.

Answer

I think it’s a great idea. 
There’s no avoiding people selling their ebt, sometimes my dad had to do it to make ends meet. Basically u just go to the store with whoever and buy with the ebt card and they’ll give u the cash u spent. Anyway, that’s not really my concern at all, but I think buying alcohol with money that’s supposed to feed your children is incredibly selfish. Alcohol is not a necessity. 
When my dad had ebt, they gave us 500-food and 200-cash (cash u can spend on whatever like house cleaning products or non food items). 
I don’t have a problem with government assistance, I however have a HUGE issue with how bad people manipulate the system, how easy it is to be manipulated, and even more so with the social workers literally telling people how to get away with stealing 😡 
I hate government assistance programs for 1 reason, and it’s how bad they enable people to stay in the system. The cost of living is too high, working a minimum wage job doesn’t make ends meet, but the minute u get assistance they make it easier on your or for some people completely enable them to be LAZY ASSHOLES. 
I can go for days the problems with the system, but that usually leads to people getting their panties in a wad, and I end up somehow being called a bigot and insensitive so I won’t go on. 😂🤷🏻‍♀️

Should the government bring in cashless cards for those on government benefits?

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