Why is My estranged wife trying to apply for food stamps?

I am going thru a separation. My Wife gave up custody of the children in our agreement. She had no interest until she realized the support I was giving her was not permanent. She then hired a lawyer and is fighting me for custody. She is doing a bunch of strange things and her latest was to get a court mandate that I let her have the children from 5am to 3pm in the summertime. She is now trying to use the kids to apply for food stamps. What is she up to?