Viral TikTok Sparks a Divided Conversation on Food Stamps

Summary:

• The TikTok video authorizing $900 in food stamps to someone who just bought a house caused controversy.

• Many expressed frustration in the comments, with some pointing out flaws in the welfare system.

• Despite disagreements, the creator emphasized not judging others and gave advice on applying for welfare.

In a viral video on TikTok, a user posts that she authorized 900 dollars worth of food stamps to someone who does not work and just bought a house. The video, which now has 30 thousand likes and over 450 thousand views, however, got some negative attention. Though the user posted it humorously, attaching it to a funny sound on TikTok, many did not take it as light-heartedly. In the comments, she later notes that she apologizes to anyone who was offended, as it was not the original intention of her video.

https://www.tiktok.com/@lillyy_ram/video/7045073174593031471?lang=en&is_copy_url=0&is_from_webapp=v1&sender_device=pc&sender_web_id=7043861003306944005

TikTok’s reaction

With 668 comments, many expressed their frustrations with the video. One person noted that this is the “problem with this country.” Others noted their own situations, as one expressed that “but my family of 4 doesn’t qualify because we went over the limit by $1. This system is a joke.” The original creator seemed to agree with this statement, as she responded to several comments noting that she believes the system was messed up.

The creator also seemed to agree with the sentiment of not judging someone, as we do not always know someone’s struggles. In addition, she often responded to comments giving advice on applying for welfare and how to get started.

Some seemed to disagree with what Lilly was trying to say, as one person thought that this insinuated that “people shouldn’t have a place to live? Food or shelter?” Lilly responded and said that sentiment was not what she was implying, but instead, she just wished everyone applying for food stamps would be approved, in an ideal world. One commenter notes that if you do not trick the system, the system would trick you. However, though the creator eventually had to turn off the comments due to too much arguing, many were in agreement that the welfare system acts backwards and does not always provide help to those who need it.