The policy on the use of welfare benefits continues to grow stricter by the year. The State of Louisiana just made the announcement that the use of welfare for tattoos, lingerie and jewelry are all banned. News came late in the day on Thursday from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Cash assistance is used to help families in need of food, clothing and shelter.
Countless people have tried to get over on the system using welfare as more of a want than a need. From going to clubs to bail bond companies, people have tried to use it but found no success since the restrictions continue to grow. Those that commit their first offense stop receiving benefits for a year. After the second strike it becomes two years. Year three violators are permanently banned from using any benefits. It was just a year ago that lottery tickets, cigarettes, and alcohol was prohibited from use by welfare money.
Somewhere down the line it seems as though individuals that use welfare become lazy in a sense and rely on the system as a sort of crutch. Starting from the bottom to work into a successful atmosphere is difficult but not impossible. Many people would rather take the easy road than pave their own way and not rely on welfare.
Anytime money is spent for luxury and pampering rather than for use of survival then it becomes a problem. Louisiana is ban on the products by use of welfare was a smart that will help people in the future learn that it is not only a privilege but also a miracle to some to receive benefits from the system when in need.
All money being paid to taxes needs to be put to good use rather than just blown away for personal entertainment. Though tracking the money when it is spent could be a difficult task, it is necessary. Those stores and retailers that do not follow these guidelines as well could find themselves in trouble and could face getting fined.
There are hundreds of students in college that use welfare they have to figure out a way to since pay for school, housing, transportation. Kyle Hendricks, a former student of Alcorn, expressed his thoughts on the matter.
“Its rough, its rough. Like knowing that you need that money and then you have all this other stuff going on can be stressful. But I mean that’s why you work hard to make sure its only temporary.”
Jason Knight is a senior mass communication major from Urbana, Ill.