AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine Health and Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew says the state is doing all it can under federal law to stop the trafficking in electronic benefit cards used to distribute assistance to poor Mainers.
Mayhew is very upset that the cards are being used by drug dealers. But federal law won't allow the state to require photos on the cards, so Maine set up a voluntary program.
"It's voluntary, and yet we have thousands and thousands of cards now that have photos on the EBT cards," Mayhew says. "We are convinced that is, in fact, a deterrent to the trafficking."
Mayhew says an indicator of misuse use of cards is requests for several replacements. She says while the state can't limit the number of replacement cards, it is requiring those seeking a fourth replacement card to go to a DHHS office and explain the recurring losses.
She says fraud could be greatly reduced if Congress allowed some simple reforms.
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" That we can do, but the federal government does not allow us to deny them access to that card, to that replacement card."
