Florida Blocks Welfare Recipients from Buying Disney World Tickets
Florida has become the first US state to impose restrictions on how welfare recipients can spend their cash. The new rules, which came into effect in August, bar those receiving Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) from buying Disney World tickets and other 'luxury' items, including theme park admission. Approximately 72,000 Americans in Florida are affected by the ban.
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides around $235 per month to each family, with a maximum of $303 for families of three. According to data shared by Congress in February 2024, 63% of these recipients are children.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated that taxpayer-funded assistance should help families cover essential expenses, not fund 'luxuries' such as theme parks. The restrictions also prohibit the purchase of tobacco products, video games, and entertainment subscriptions on EBT cards, which are used to load benefits onto cards for eligible retailers.