Tag Page ShowUsTheBill

I’m on SNAP, But I’m Also Trying to Stay Healthy — Why Is Healthy Food So Expensive?

I recently recovered from depression and started running and eating healthier. But guess what? Chips are SNAP-eligible. Greek yogurt, smoked salmon, and protein bars are insanely expensive. I’m not trying to be fancy. I’m trying to stay healthy and avoid relapse. Any time I suggest SNAP should help with healthier options, people yell: “Beggars can’t be choosers!” But if I can’t stay healthy, how am I supposed to climb out of poverty?** #ShowUsTheBill #SNAP #MentalHealthRecovery #HealthyLifestyle

I’m on SNAP but I Pay Taxes — Why Don’t I “Deserve” Good Food?

People think anyone on SNAP is a “leech.” But I pay taxes every month. I work full-time at a gas station. I contribute. My only crime is not earning enough. Last week I tried to buy a $12 piece of fish. A man behind me snickered, “Buying fish with government money? Shameful.” I froze. I almost put the fish back. But then I asked myself: I work. I pay taxes. I try my best. Why shouldn’t I eat something decent? SNAP isn’t perfect, but respect should be basic.** #ShowUsTheBill #SNAPStigma #PovertyShaming #CostOfLivingCrisis

#ShowUsTheBill #Inflation

A Landlord Offered to Take SNAP in Place of Rent — and Showed Me ‘Proof

When I was apartment-hunting in Texas, a landlord told me something wild: “If you have SNAP, I can work with that. You don’t need cash.” I thought he was joking. SNAP can’t pay rent. Then he explained: “You swipe $600 with EBT, I knock $300 off your rent. The rest is my fee.” He even showed me screenshots from previous tenants. People who truly need housing end up trapped in an underground system built on desperation. SNAP is meant to feed families — not function as shadow currency. #ShowUsTheBill #SNAPFraud #ShadowEconomy #HousingCrisis #RealStories

The Farmers Market Stand That Took EBT but Gave No Produce — A Public Secret

At a weekend farmers market in Los Angeles, I noticed a booth that looked normal at first glance—vegetables displayed, vendor smiling. But something felt off. No one was bagging produce. No weighing. No customers walking away with food. Yet the EBT machine beeped nonstop. An older shopper whispered to me: “They run an exchange. Swipe $80 in SNAP, walk away with $40 cash. You don’t need the vegetables.” I looked at the wilted produce and realized it wasn’t meant to be sold. It existed only as a cover. Meanwhile, real vendors trying to offer affordable vegetables were pushed aside. A broken system creates broken incentives. #ShowUsTheBill #SNAPFraud #FarmersMarketIssues #EBTAbuse #CostOfLiving

Our Neighborhood Group Chat Shared a ‘Guide to Turning SNAP Into Cash’ — I Wish I Was Joking

In my neighborhood in South Chicago, we have a group chat where people usually discuss discounts, housing, or jobs. But last week, someone uploaded a PDF titled: “How to Legally (Not Really) Turn SNAP Into Usable Cash.” It listed: Which small stores do 50% cash exchanges Which supermarkets allow high-amount EBT gift card purchases How to turn EBT credit into Zelle Contact numbers for participating stores Every single method was illegal. Yet people replied: “Benefits are too low. This is survival.” “Americans do it too—why can’t we?” Meanwhile, the legit supermarket next door sells $100 worth of groceries that barely cover a week. Where exactly is the system breaking? #ShowUsTheBill #SNAPFraud #EBTTrafficking #RealAmerica #NeighborhoodTruths

At Costco, I Realized the Woman in Front of Me Was Using Someone Else’s SNAP Card

At Costco last weekend, the woman ahead of me had a cart stacked with beef, cheese, snacks, juice, and several bags of frozen shrimp. I assumed she had a big family—until she pulled out an EBT card. Then her phone rang. “Oh, I got everything. Come pick it up later. I used the PIN you sent me.” That’s when it hit me: It wasn’t her SNAP card. It belonged to whoever was on the other end of that call. After she checked out, the man behind me muttered: “We work all week and can’t afford that much meat.” It wasn’t jealousy. It was that familiar knot in your stomach when reality feels unfair. #ShowUsTheBill #SNAPMisuse #CostcoStories #EBTSharing #FairnessMatters

EBT shouldn’t be paying for full party carts

In Brooklyn, I was behind a woman with a cart full of party items: a three-layer cake, candies, chips, soda. I assumed she’d pay with a credit card. Nope — she swiped EBT. I’m not against celebrating kids’ birthdays. But my neighbor can barely afford a $5 cupcake for her daughter’s birthday. Is SNAP supposed to fight hunger… or fund parties? #SNAPTalk #ShowUsTheBill #NYCLife #WelfareDebate #TaxpayerQuestions

SNAP week always means higher prices — and we pay for it

In Phoenix, everyone knows this: the week SNAP hits, grocery prices go up. Last week at Safeway, chicken breast went from $2.99/lb to $4.29/lb overnight. A woman next to me whispered, “SNAP folks don’t feel it anyway.” But we do. People paying full price end up carrying the burden. Government help shouldn’t distort prices in ways that punish working families. #SNAPLife #ShowUsTheBill #FoodInflation #CostOfLiving #WorkingFamilies

Watching EBT purchases at Walmart makes me question everything

I work as a cashier at a Walmart in Houston. Last Friday — SNAP day — the line went halfway across the store. A young guy came up with two cases of energy drinks, four tubs of ice cream, and a big bag of chips. He swiped his EBT card, no problem. I asked, “Not getting any groceries or meat?” He shrugged. “The system gives it, I use it. Why not?” Meanwhile, I work 38 hours a week and still budget every gallon of milk. Some days I wonder… who is SNAP really helping, and who’s paying for it? #SNAPLife #ShowUsTheBill #TaxpayerVoice #WelfareDebate #HoustonLife