Louisiana Bans Welfare Money, EBT Spending on Lingerie, Tattoos and More

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana's social services department is prohibiting the spending of welfare money at lingerie stores, tattoo shops, nail salons and jewelry stores.

The Department of Children and Family Services announced the new limits late Thursday.

The regulations cover the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program — commonly known as welfare benefits — and the Kinship Care Subsidy Program. Both programs pay cash assistance to low-income families for items like food, clothing and housing.

DCFS Secretary Suzy Sonnier says she wants to make sure federal assistance is used to help families meet basic needs.

Also barred from taking welfare debit cards are video arcades, bail bonds companies, adult-entertainment businesses and bars.

Violators of the regulations will stop receiving welfare benefits for a year for a first offense and permanently for a third offense.