As a kid, when my Dad was laid off I got discounted school lunch by buying and redeeming colored plastic tokens.  Took me a while to figure out the other kids saw using them as a social stigma.<p>So, yes, kids and adults will still be able to associate higher cost goods with higher social status.  But changing benefits to cash instead of alternative, restricted currencies like food stamps will lessen the opportunities to identify and stigmatize those who are struggling financially.