Florida has become the first state in the nation to amend its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families State Plan, blocking recipients of cash welfare from spending those funds on tattoos, vaping products, theme park tickets, video games, p*rnography and psychic services.
Governor Ron DeSantis announced the change on August 24, 2026, during a press conference in Tampa, directing the Florida Department of Children and Families to amend the state’s TANF plan. The restrictions apply to Temporary Cash Assistance benefits distributed through Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, and officials say they do not affect a family’s eligibility or the amount of benefits they receive. Under the amended plan, EBT cards can no longer be used for tobacco and nicotine products, drugs or intoxicants, adult content, video games, entertainment and theme park tickets, tattoos, tanning and spa services, or fortune-telling and psychic services.
“Florida has become the first in the nation to set guardrails on our TANF State Plan to stop these taxpayer-funded benefits from being used to purchase inappropriate, luxury, and non-essential goods and services,” DeSantis said in a statement. “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 also defended the move in blunter terms at the announcement, saying some recipients were “milking the system” and describing them as “scam artists.” Federal rules already bar TANF cash cards from being used at liquor stores, casinos and adult entertainment venues; Florida’s amendment extends those limits to additional goods and services sold at otherwise eligible retailers.
The Trump administration has praised the policy and is encouraging other states to adopt similar restrictions. Florida officials say the TANF State Plan amendment is already moving through the federal approval process.
