State Cash Assistance Restrictions - Acadiana's Multi-Media News Station

New state regulations now ban the spending of welfare money on cigarettes, alcohol, and lottery tickets.

Other restrictions include prohibiting the use of a welfare electronic benefit card at liquor stores, gambling sites and strip clubs, as required under federal law.

For a first offense, violators will stop receiving welfare benefits for a year, two years for a second offense and permanently for a third offense.

The state is relying on businesses and the public to report suspected violations.