‘And a working household can’t even get $100’: Woman goes to Walmart for groceries with her mom’s food stamps. Then she sees how much is in the card

A TikToker shared a video using her mother’s EBT card to buy groceries. The card’s high benefit balance shocked viewers.

The video has been viewed more than 495,500 times. Creator Kashay (@kashklassy) said her mother gave her the card as she was on the way to work. As she began shopping, she decided to check the balance on the card. She was shocked to hear the balance was $700. 

“I checked the balance and it was 700 clicks,” she stated.

Then she enthusiastically announced her impromptu food shopping spree.

“Put this in the cart…Put that in the cart,” she said.

The short clip quickly sparked thousands of reactions.

What is EBT?

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is the system used to distribute benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This benefit was formerly known as food stamps.

Eligible households receive monthly benefits that can be used to purchase approved food items at participating retailers, including Walmart.

The amount a household receives depends on factors such as household size, income, and certain allowable expenses.

Within the program rules, unused SNAP benefits can roll over from month to month if they are not spent within that time.

How Did People Respond?

Most of the reactions in the comments were negative.

Many viewers questioned how someone could have a $700 balance.

Others used the video to express frustration with the benefits system. “My mom is disabled and on SSI and Medicare (Medicaid? whichever is for disabled) and she only gets $24?… she worked her whole life at a factory before it shut down and she got laid off.”

For many commenters, qualifying for assistance was out of their reach. 

Some commenters also argued that taxpayers fund SNAP benefits.

“Your welcome from a taxpaying worker,” stated one user.

One viewer blamed government policy rather than recipients.

“They’re mad at the recipients instead of the government that set the guidelines. The government is also the one that makes it harder for working class,” one wrote.

Another commenter questioned the situation.

“Isn’t that illegal,” questioned@Mookieliz74

The comments highlighted a broader debate about eligibility for public assistance, benefit calculations, and the fairness of the current system.

Is It Illegal To Use Someone Else’s EBT Card?

It depends.

SNAP issues benefits to households, and program rules often allow another person to shop on a household’s behalf as an authorized representative.

However, if someone who is not authorized uses an EBT card, that use can violate SNAP rules and may result in penalties. A viral video showing someone using another person’s card does not provide enough information to determine whether that person had authorization to use the card.

Is a $700 SNAP Balance Unusual?

Not necessarily.

A balance does not always represent a single month’s benefits.

Unused benefits can accumulate over time, and larger households may qualify for significantly higher monthly benefit amounts than smaller households.

Without information about a household’s size, income, or benefit deposit date, no one can determine why a particular balance appears.

@kashklassy #walmart ♬ Dust Collector – ybg lucas

Why Did Kashay’s Video Get Such Strong Reactions

The strong reactions come at a time when many households are feeling the pressure of rising grocery prices.

Inflation has increased the cost of many everyday essentials over the past few years, leaving many families struggling to stretch their budgets. 

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), average grocery prices were 2.3% higher in 2025 than in 2024. Some staples are even rising much faster. Beef and veal prices increased 11.6% on average. Even egg prices were 21.9% higher than the previous year due in part to the ongoing avian influenza outbreak. 

Overall food inflation has slowed compared with the sharp increases seen after the pandemic. Yet, many households are still paying more for everyday essentials than they did just a few years ago.

For many viewers, the discussion wasn’t just about one EBT balance. It reflected wider concerns about the affordability of food, the cost of living, and whether enough support is available for people trying to make ends meet.

The Mary Sue reached out to Kashay via TikTok direct message for comment.

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