State Helps Some Buy Beauty Supplies

[rockin'robin]

Arlington Beauty Shop Accepts Government Assistance Cards

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Some Arlington residents are buying supplies with the help of the government.

Beauty Max on Merrill Road is accepting Electronic Benefit Transfer as payment for beauty supplies sold in its store.

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is an electronic system in the United States that allows state governments to provide financial and material benefits via a plastic debit card.

Recipients are issued an EBT card similar to a bank ATM or debit card to receive and use their food stamp and/or cash benefits.

Video: EBT Cards Used At Beauty Shops

John Harrell, a spokesman for the Department of Children and Families, said the EBT cards are for more than food stamps.

In the case of beauty supply stores, it's for the temporary cash assistance program, which is not food stamps.

"People who are approved for this card have to prove that they are looking for jobs on an ongoing basis," Harrell said.

The Department of Children and Families pointed out that if you have an EBT card for food stamps, you can't use them for hair and makeup -- just food.

Approximately 90,000 Floridians are part of the temporary cash assistance program, which pays an average of $240 each month to families.

State Helps Some Buy Beauty Supplies - Jacksonville News Story - WJXT Jacksonville

 

[Smithtr]

sound it expensive on cost!

 

[rockin'robin]

I can't say that this is unbelievable...because it's not....goes to show many people can and do "work the system"....Waiting on the news report to see what the store owner's gonna say since this made the news...BIG TIME!...

 

[Babyblue]

No different than people taking their EBT card and withdrawing the cash assistance from the ATM machine. It has been going on for a long time. I see people taking the EBT card and using the cash assistant to buy beer.

 

[rockin'robin]

No different than people taking their EBT card and withdrawing the cash assistance from the ATM machine. It has been going on for a long time. I see people taking the EBT card and using the cash assistant to buy beer.

Yep...even drugs....

 

[Babyblue]

They can not use the food stamps on the EBT to buy the beauty supplies. They use the cash assistance. Many places accepts EBT cash assistance. Walmart and other large chain stores do so.

 

[Aleser]

I don't understand what the drama about this is. Cash assistance can largely be used for whatever you like. Your EBT card supplies you foodstamps, which only work to buy food, and cash assistance (TANF) if you qualify for it, which can be used just like cash money.

In my work (dv and other sheltering) we actually give out makeup to our clients as part of their initial clothing allowance and actively accept donations of makeup as well. Having access to makeup increases our client's confidence, gives them a sense of normality, and allows them to compete with others when going to job interviews. Like it or not, makeup is part of looking like a "professional" jobseeker.

But we can't have poor people having any of them luxuries like 4$ bottles of nail polish, can we?! *rolls eyes*

 

[Aleser]

I can't say that this is unbelievable...because it's not....goes to show many people can and do "work the system"....Waiting on the news report to see what the store owner's gonna say since this made the news...BIG TIME!...

Check your premises. People who say things like this don't realize how much the "luxuries" (which you take having access to for granted) can actually be needs.

Having presentable hair (shampooed, clean and nongreasy, styled) hair (that doesn't have the dye partially grown out because you can't afford dye anymore!), and for females, wearing some makeup, is important in going to job interviews and getting hired.

Unfortunately, here in the US, having natural afro-textured hair can be a basis for employers to consider you lower class and covertly discriminate against you. Maintaining artificially non-afro-textured hair can cost a lot of money and requires supplies.

The reality is that jobseekers DO get discriminated against for appearing poor. Not having well styled hair or not wearing makeup are major factors in that, along with what kind of clothing you have access to.