Florida has approved new restrictions on its Temporary Cash Assistance programme, making it the first state to limit welfare cash spending on specific non-essential items such as tattoos, theme park tickets, video games, vaping products and pornography. Supporters, including Governor Ron DeSantis and the Trump administration, say the rules are intended to ensure taxpayer-funded assistance is used for basic needs; the change matters because federal officials want other states to consider similar limits.

The programme is funded through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families scheme and is separate from SNAP food benefits, although both may appear on the same EBT card. Florida says the average participating household receives about $250 a month and that benefit amounts will not be reduced; instead, the restrictions will be phased in and apply to purchases including body piercings, entertainment, nicotine products, psychic services and fortune-telling.