Massachusetts welfare funds misused for vacations in Hawaii and beyond

An investigation by The Boston Herald revealed that welfare recipients in Massachusetts have misused taxpayer-funded EBT cards for expenditures in various vacation destinations, including Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and California. In Fiscal Year 2024, over $3 billion in federal and state funds were distributed to recipients, with notable charges in Hawaii, including a $378 transaction in Maui. The misuse extended to 165 cities in California and 293 locations in Florida, raising concerns about the integrity of the welfare system. The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) stated that there are strict regulations governing the use of EBT funds, which are intended to assist low-income families. Usage while traveling must be pre-approved, and any out-of-state spending beyond temporary absences can jeopardize an individual's eligibility for assistance. Despite these regulations, the investigation found numerous instances of EBT card usage in locations far from New England. Republican state Senator Ryan Fattman criticized the findings, labeling them as indicative of a flawed system that fails to prioritize the needs of families in Massachusetts. He expressed disbelief at the notion of welfare funds being spent in vacation spots, emphasizing the need for accountability in the distribution of taxpayer dollars. The report also highlighted the broader context of welfare spending in Massachusetts, where over $11 billion in food and economic assistance has been allocated to residents in the past three fiscal years. The state’s status as a sanctuary state has attracted a significant number of migrants, further complicating the welfare landscape and raising questions about the sustainability of these programs.