Florida First to Draw Line on Cash Assistance Spending

By Tami Stevenson

Florida is putting new limits on what families can purchase with Temporary Cash Assistance, becoming the first state in the nation to add restrictions on a range of luxury, entertainment and other non-essential purchases under its federal cash assistance plan.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced, Monday, in Tampa, the changes to Florida’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) State Plan, saying taxpayer-funded assistance should be reserved for helping families meet basic needs and move toward financial independence.

     “Taxpayer-funded assistance should help families put food on the table, keep the lights on, purchase clothing, provide for their children and overcome barriers on the path toward independence,” DeSantis said.

     Under the amended plan, Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) benefits will no longer be allowed for direct purchases of tobacco, nicotine and vaping products; drugs and intoxicants; pornography; video games; entertainment tickets; theme park admission; entertainment subscriptions; tattoos; spa and tanning services; psychic and fortune-telling services; and other designated luxury services.

     TCA benefits are provided through Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to eligible families to help cover basic expenses such as food, clothing, housing, utilities, household goods and personal-care items. According to the state, the average household receiving TCA receives approximately $250 per month.

     Florida also uses TANF funding for its Relative Caregiver Program, which provides assistance to relatives caring for more than 4,000 children statewide.

     “Temporary Cash Assistance is designed to provide families with flexibility during times of need, and these commonsense changes preserve that flexibility while strengthening the integrity of the program,” DCF Interim Secretary Kate Williams said.

     The state already prohibits EBT cards from being used to purchase alcohol or conduct transactions at certain locations, including adult entertainment establishments, casinos, gaming facilities, commercial bingo establishments, pari-mutuel wagering facilities and slot machine facilities.

     Florida’s EBT system blocks point-of-sale transactions at prohibited businesses as well as ATM transactions at restricted locations.

     The changes also build upon restrictions Florida placed on SNAP benefits earlier this year. Since April 2026, SNAP benefits in the state have been prohibited from being used to purchase soda, energy drinks, candy and certain ultra-processed prepared desserts under Florida’s Healthy SNAP initiative.

     CareerSource Florida President and CEO Adrienne Johnston said the state is also focusing on helping assistance recipients obtain training and employment that can lead to greater financial independence.

     “Through Florida’s workforce system, individuals can access the training, credentials, apprenticeships, work-based learning, and employer connections needed to build skills and increase their earning potential,” Johnston said.

     The new TCA restrictions will be implemented in phases, beginning with SNAP-authorized retailers. Florida plans to expand transaction-level controls to cover additional prohibited products and services as the program is rolled out.

     State officials say the goal is to preserve assistance for families facing genuine financial hardship while ensuring public funds are used for necessities and as a temporary bridge toward greater stability and self-sufficiency.