WA State Cracking Down HARD On Illegal Food Card Sales

Once called food stamps, now EBT 'debit cards', they're still the subject of periodic sweeps by the Department of Social and Health services and police, for illegal sales.

Some say this proves that a number of people getting the state food assistance cards don't REALLY need them, others say these people are desperate for cash for other needed goods.

Either way, selling your food card, or EBT, is illegal.  According to DSHS officials and KNDU-TV,  investigations have been stepped up dramatically after a citizen sent KNDO-TV in Yakima a video of a man selling his card to another person on a street corner.

The DSHS food cards are used like a debit card, but the original procedures are the same. You can only buy certain types of food, alcohol, cigarettes and other unhealthy prepared foods cannot be purchased.

But a growing number of people are entering the black market, by selling their cards at slightly less than face value in exchange for cash.

DSHS officials say so far in the Mid-Columbia, they've nailed at least 9 people caught selling their cards illegally. Considering the effort it takes to track the purchases compared to the rightful owner, that's not bad.