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The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services has announced welfare recipients are prohibited from using their cash assistance on adult leisure items and activities.
DCFS Secretary Suzy Sonnier says their new rule mandates electronic benefit cards can't be used for liquor, tobacco, gambling or at strip clubs.
"Today's rule helps ensure that the assistance being received is being used for the purpose intended - to help a family meet their basic needs," Sonnier said. "Today's rule does not impact or hurt families who are using the benefits as intended each month, but instead target those who use the funds for purposes never intended by the program. This rule puts in place the type of accountability expected by the public, and is simply just common sense."
Sonnier says program recipients who violate the rule will have benefits suspended for a year for a 1st offense, 2 years for a 2nd offense and permanently on a 3rd violation. She feels only handful of people abuse the system.
DCFS Secretary Suzy Sonnier says their new rule mandates electronic benefit cards can't be used for liquor, tobacco, gambling or at strip clubs.
"Today's rule helps ensure that the assistance being received is being used for the purpose intended - to help a family meet their basic needs," Sonnier said. "Today's rule does not impact or hurt families who are using the benefits as intended each month, but instead target those who use the funds for purposes never intended by the program. This rule puts in place the type of accountability expected by the public, and is simply just common sense."
Sonnier says program recipients who violate the rule will have benefits suspended for a year for a 1st offense, 2 years for a 2nd offense and permanently on a 3rd violation. She feels only handful of people abuse the system.
Sonnier says they are asking for businesses and the public to report suspected violations.
