TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Florida is looking to make major changes to the state’s public assistance programs.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida will be the first state to seek a complete ban on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) participants using funds for non-essential purchases. He defined those as items like tobacco and vaping products, intoxicants, and entertainment.
They consider acceptable purchases to be food, clothing and medicine. The governor says that this proposal will save taxpayer money and reduce fraud.
DeSantis said the state is drafting a formal letter to send to the federal government to request the additional restrictions.
He proposed that Hope Florida’s Care Portal should become an alternative to wane people off of public assistance.
“Ultimately the strength of our economy and society is not how many can we get EBT cards to, but how many people can we liberate from needing an EBT card in the first place.“
Along with their TANF program, Florida is among 23 other states who have adjusted the regulations to their SNAP programs to limit what recipients can purchase.
This includes a ban on sugary beverages and foods.
In June of this year, recipients in six of those states were successful in blocking food restriction waivers
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