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"Fight poverty" is certainly a grandiose mission statement. But this core function--checking benefits balances--is very helpful to EBT users. Why? In my neigh

"Fight poverty" is certainly a grandiose mission statement. But this core function--checking benefits balances--is very helpful to EBT users. Why? In my neighborhood there are quite a few EBT users. I've seen several of them run over their limits at the supermarket checkout. It's humiliating. (I volunteer at the drop-in center for kiddos in the local public housing project, so I know a few of these families.) Plus, the nudges in this app to good nutrition are undoubtedly helpful. Generally super cheap food isn't the healthiest food, and an app like this can help. I pay lots of taxes so poor people can have a fair shot at getting themselves and their families out of poverty. EBT helps fulfill that mission. I know some people take the default position that recipients of public assistance ought to endure some hassles. I don't agree: being poor is hassle enough. The states where this big contractor does business should require them to cooperate with innovating stuff like Propel.

heywire 9y ago
In most cases you can do an EBT Balance Inquiry right at the checkout (or customer service, etc).
- Jemmeh 9y ago
  Yeah but it's easier to look it up before you even go to the store. Why waste gas if you've only got $10, wait til next bit comes in a few days, that sort of thing.
  - heywire 9y ago
    Most EBT cards I’ve seen also have a toll-free number on the back to call and check your balance through an automated system (similar to gift cards).
    - Jemmeh 9y ago
      Yeah but just glancing at an app is still faster. When you're poor you're constantly tired and low on time. I certainly still prefer using my bank's website to their automated phone teller as well. More info more quickly.
    - alasdair_ 9y ago
      >Most EBT cards I’ve seen also have a toll-free number on the back to call and check your balance through an automated system (similar to gift cards). Yeah, and my bank does online phone banking. Which I've literally never used because it takes a couple of seconds with online banking to check my balance and roughly 10,000% more time to perform the same action with phone banking and that's IF I can remember all the details needed to get to that point.,

heywire 9y ago

In most cases you can do an EBT Balance Inquiry right at the checkout (or customer service, etc).

Jemmeh 9y ago
Yeah but it's easier to look it up before you even go to the store. Why waste gas if you've only got $10, wait til next bit comes in a few days, that sort of thing.
- heywire 9y ago
  Most EBT cards I’ve seen also have a toll-free number on the back to call and check your balance through an automated system (similar to gift cards).
  - Jemmeh 9y ago
    Yeah but just glancing at an app is still faster. When you're poor you're constantly tired and low on time. I certainly still prefer using my bank's website to their automated phone teller as well. More info more quickly.
  - alasdair_ 9y ago
    >Most EBT cards I’ve seen also have a toll-free number on the back to call and check your balance through an automated system (similar to gift cards). Yeah, and my bank does online phone banking. Which I've literally never used because it takes a couple of seconds with online banking to check my balance and roughly 10,000% more time to perform the same action with phone banking and that's IF I can remember all the details needed to get to that point.,