The E-Sylum:  Volume 7, Number 27, July 4, 2004, Article 14

FOOD STAMP USE IN PENNSYLVANIA

  Chick Ambrass submitted the following information about the
  use of Food Stamps in Pennsylvania:

   "From 1973 to 1976 I was in Pharmacy School, was married,
  and had a baby. My wife and I hadn't one nickel to rub against
  another, and I was told to apply for food stamps. So I did, and
  they helped our lives immensely, and I've paid the Gov't back
  many times. But at that time, they were actually paper coupons.
  The booklet contained several denominations, $1, $5, $10's...etc
  ....I'm not for certain exactly.  I'm sure that the booklet varied
  depending upon family size, and need category.

  At that time, if you needed change and it was less than a dollar,
  vendors would give you regular U.S. coinage. If you needed
  dollars in your change, most vendors (especially the larger
  retailers...local Mom and Pop was different)  had a stack of
  food stamps, in the lower denominations ($1's and $5's) and
  that's what you would receive. I never received any hard cash
  for my stamps. But then again, I was not trying to do anything
  shady.

  Since that time, I have become more attuned to the workings
  of the "real" world, and  I realize, that many food stamps were
  sold at a discount rate, to family members, friends, and to
  retailers in exchange for cash.

  Here in Pennsylvania, paper food stamps have not been
  around for some time (at least 5 years, perhaps longer). They
  have been replaced by an "ACCESS" debit card.  If a retailer
  wishes to participate in the food stamp program, the retailer
  is required to have the necessary electronic equipment to
  process the cards. These cards have virtually eliminated the
  selling at discount "food stamps". I believe that is the real
  reason why most of the people that say they don't like cards."

  Wayne Homren, Editor

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