A man who tried to buy cigarettes using a state-issued public assistance card said Wednesday he felt discriminated against when a clerk refused to sell to him.
Clerk Jackie Whiton said she was fired from the Big Apple convenience store after refusing to sell cigarettes to the man, who was using an EBT card, an electronic benefit card used to distribute state benefits for low-income residents that functions like a debit card.
Her story has drawn national attention.
"People all over the country have been talking about it, and I have had calls as far away as Arizona," she said.
Whiton said she is glad her actions brought attention to the issue.
"When your states, towns and country are in debt, this is one good reason why," she said.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, there are no restrictions in New Hampshire or any other state on how the cash on an EBT card can be used. The man who tried to buy the cigarettes, and who asked that his identity not be revealed, said Whiton was in the wrong.
"When you work with the public, you need to put on a smile and curb your views, and the store accepted it, but I wasn't even given a chance to use it," he said.
The man said the refusal was embarrassing, but he didn't make a fuss in the store. Instead, he called Whiton's district manager and complained.
"Clearly, I was in the right, because she was fired," he said.
A person receiving benefits may get both food stamps and cash, both of which can be tracked on an EBT card. Food stamps must be used for food, but the cash can be used for anything. The man said he gets no more than $$34 per month.
"I barely qualify for it, and for me to use the few dollars I get on cigarettes, that's considered a treat," he said.
He called Whiton's actions discrimination, an accusation to which Whiton said she had no response.
"No I do not," she said. "I wouldn't waste my breath."
House Speaker Bill O'Brien said he doesn't agree with how EBT cards can be used and plans to file legislation next session to add restrictions. DHHS officials said attempting to implement controls on how the cash can be used would be expensive and complicated. They noted that the cash benefit can be withdrawn from the card as cash at an ATM, making restricting its use impossible.
© 2004-2012 LSN, Inc. All Rights Reserved.Story posted 2012.06.27 at 06:17 PM EDT
