California Limits Use of Welfare Debit Cards

California is cutting off the use of its welfare debit cards at casinos and on cruise ships nationwide. The move comes after a report in the Los Angeles Times revealed that more than $69 million in welfare aid had been spent or withdrawn at popular vacation spots like the Las Vegas strip and on ships sailing from ports worldwide.

The welfare allowances are supposed to be used by needy recipients to pay rent and buy clothes for their family. But the times investigation showed the money being spent in places like Vegas, Hawaii and on cruise ships sailing out of Miami, the newspaper said.

The California Department of Social Services told the company that oversees the debit card program on Monday afternoon to make the changes.

In June, the state cut off access to benefits in California casinos and strip clubs after the Times reported that the Electronic Benefits Transfer cards worked in those businesses too.