Being a SAHM/D with "help" from the government?

[barkley]

Barkely,

She only has the one child. He turned 18 about a month ago, which is probably why she's been told to get a job or get training. I think your point is that she's in for a very rude awakening, and I agree with you 100%. She's 48 years old, and has never held a job for more than about six months at a time. She has nothing set aside for retirement, and is used to living a comfortable life--which is about to come crashing to an end--but she refuses to see it. In all honesty I wouldn't be surprised if she suddenly developes Fibrmyalgia or something along those lines and tries to get SSI/SSDI on that basis.

she'll still be in difficult times if she makes an ssi app. it can take a couple of years to get a VALID one approved, and the only cash assistance program she might be eligible in the meantime is general assistance or general relief. not all states or counties offer it, and it can be less than $200 a month and include a provision that every cent be repaid. it's much harder to get and since there's no issue with a child they are much more proactive on making people do the work requirements (and with ga there's generaly no funds for schooling-and failing to have a job or a WELL documented disability, some counties have their recipients 'earn' their checks picking up garbage, working at the recycling centers-basicly doing the same stuff that prisioners do. it's amazing how many people recover from their disabilites or all of a sudden remember the skills they have and find independant jobs to get themselves 'off the system' ).

 

[DisneyPhD]

And this is an example of me forgetting I've posted on a thread. Why not? If the gov't is paying sahm's, they are subsidizing childcare. If the gov't pays the YMCA for part of Jimmy's daycare or gives Jimmy's parents a tax credit for daycare, they are subsidizing childcare. You should either make it even for both situations or subsidize neither. My choice would be neither as having kids is a choice, but the realities of poor planning what they are, you could subsidize both at low income limits (hopefully not up to $83k). A person is giving up income to stay at home with the kids, just like a person gives up some of their income to the daycare.

That is just crazy and doesn't even work in theory. You do know who suffers then? The kids. Kids who get left in cars or at home alone why parents work.

Yes having a child is a choice, but a lot of people end up becoming a parent when they didn't plan on it. Lots of kids are born into less then idea situations. It happens.

Just because I was able to something in life one way, doesn't mean every other person can and they are just lazy if they don't. There are a lot of situations out there. The old saying about walking a mile in another persons shoes fits here.

I don't like to see people abuse the system any more then the next person, but it is the kids who suffer if we don't have a system. I think it is better to error on the side of having compassion, then having children suffer.

The situations that Duckie is talking about is one everyone hates to hear about and is clearly wrong. No rational person would think that is ok, unless they were the one getting the $ and then they are no better then a crook who feels they are entitled to someone else's wallet because the left it on the table for 2 seconds when they went to throw out their trash.

Still I think those cases should be prosecuted and not label every person who ever needed and received some aid as a bad person.

 

[momof2inPA]

That is just crazy and doesn't even work in theory. You do know who suffers then? The kids. Kids who get left in cars or at home alone why parents work.

If you drop your kids off at daycare everyday, you and your DH can claim 6k in tax credit. If I provide my own care for my kids, I should get the same tax credit. I'm the defacto daycare provider for my kids. Why should we concourage people to put their kids in daycare?

 

[DisneyPhD]

If you drop your kids off at daycare everyday, you and your DH can claim 6k in tax credit. If I provide my own care for my kids, I should get the same tax credit. I'm the defacto daycare provider for my kids. Why should we concourage people to put their kids in daycare?

Because it helps the economy.

I am a SAHM too. I worked part time for about 2 years after my 1st was born. I would love to get some kind of tax discount too, unless enough parents lobby for it I don't see it happening.

My point is child care is $$ and really most if not all child care workers are grossly underpaid for what they do. I know I did it for something like 6 years, more if you count the time I did it part time and summers while in college. The tax credit helps parents out and allows quality day care to be afforded by more people. Parents are more likely to go to a licensed home or center day care then one that isn't, and have too many kids crammed in unsafe conditions to save money.

While I consider myself lucky to be able to be at home with my kids now, not everyone is able to take time off for a few years and go back to work. Once you are out it is hard to get back in. What I wish is this country had better maternity leave laws, and make it easier for moms to be home with babies, and still continue to work when they are older if they want to. Also if there were more part time and flexible positions that are family friendly.

Besides we might not get a childcare tax credit, but we do get a child tax credit.

 

[PatsMom]

If you drop your kids off at daycare everyday, you and your DH can claim 6k in tax credit. If I provide my own care for my kids, I should get the same tax credit. I'm the defacto daycare provider for my kids. Why should we concourage people to put their kids in daycare?

I don't think the credit encourages people to put their children in day care. I think it encourages lower income wage earners to work and thus not need government assistance. And to pay income tax on your salary if you owe it. The credit is nowhere near $6,000 - it is up to 35% of qualifying expenses up to $6,000 (for two children). And the percentage of expenses you receive reduces significantly as the income goes up.

 

[Aidensmom]

If you drop your kids off at daycare everyday, you and your DH can claim 6k in tax credit. If I provide my own care for my kids, I should get the same tax credit. I'm the defacto daycare provider for my kids. Why should we concourage people to put their kids in daycare?

Unless things change drastically from last year, the most credit you can take for one child is 35% of $3000, or $1050. And that percentage is for the lowest income bracket. As income goes up, percentage decreases.

 

[connorlevismom]

Unless things change drastically from last year, the most credit you can take for one child is 35% of $3000, or $1050. And that percentage is for the lowest income bracket. As income goes up, percentage decreases.

You got it!

 

[ducklite]

Unless things change drastically from last year, the most credit you can take for one child is 35% of $3000, or $1050. And that percentage is for the lowest income bracket. As income goes up, percentage decreases.

I can't remember exactly, because it's been quite awhile since we paid for daycare, but I do recall that one year our income was only slightly higher than the year before, but it was just enough to make us slide down the scale on the childcare credit. That caused us to have to pay more in taxes than what our additional income added up to. In effect we made less, even though our W-2's showed that we made more.

 

[lillygator]

Why should we concourage people to put their kids in daycare?

 

[MrsKreamer]

Well she seems like a smart person!

Thanks, I do appreciate that, and where you are coming from.

FWIW I am looking for part time(Chloe's Mom ) work but with the hours my husband works(long hard hours building ships for the navy, and attending class one night a week), it just isn't feasible right now. Hopefully 6 months from now things will be different.

Also if I did have a pt or ft job out of the home, I would still earn enough to qualify for WIC. I am in this program because it helps us. That is what it is there for. Will we be on it forever? No. Do we go to WDW on vacation? Not since before Katrina, when were able to afford it. This year we went 3 hours away to the beach.


PS I have no problem working retail or flipping burgers...so don't think just because I am living high off the government right now that that is beneath me...

 

[CEDmom]

If you drop your kids off at daycare everyday, you and your DH can claim 6k in tax credit. If I provide my own care for my kids, I should get the same tax credit. I'm the defacto daycare provider for my kids. Why should we concourage people to put their kids in daycare?

The income levels to qualify for the daycare tax credit are so low. DH and I make a comfortable income but we're far from rich and we don't qualify at all. Part of the problem is this tax credits don't take into account where you're living. Our income in many parts of the country would probably put us in the wealthy bracket but that's far from true here in the northeast.

 

[Chloe'sMom]

Thanks, I do appreciate that, and where you are coming from.

FWIW I am looking for part time(Chloe's Mom ) work but with the hours my husband works(long hard hours building ships for the navy, and attending class one night a week), it just isn't feasible right now. Hopefully 6 months from now things will be different.

Also if I did have a pt or ft job out of the home, I would still earn enough to qualify for WIC. I am in this program because it helps us. That is what it is there for. Will we be on it forever? No. Do we go to WDW on vacation? Not since before Katrina, when were able to afford it. This year we went 3 hours away to the beach.


PS I have no problem working retail or flipping burgers...so don't think just because I am living high off the government right now that that is beneath me...

Now comes the justification - and here I thought you were just "enjoying" your children.

I thought your husband was going to law school? Now he builds ships?

Please don't roll your eyes at me like I misunderstood you. You know what you typed - you just don't like the fact that no one here agreed with you.

~Amanda

 

[Chloe'sMom]

I rolled my eyes because you assume that I wasn't even looking for work.

Dh was in PARALEGAL school prior to Katrina, but when we returned home there were no classes being held for a year, in paralegal studies. So we had to switch gears and adapt, so now he works for a ship buiding company and is learning to become a maritime electrician.

Frankly I don't have time to care that people don't like what I posted but I did post it at 3 am and thought it needed some clarity. I know you don't like me, you never have.

Since when do I not like you? I don't agree with you, that doesn't mean I don't like you. I wish you nothing but the best, and was right there when Katrina happened. Nice subtle name calling by the way. I even missed it the first time.

I think your ACTIONS disqualifies your STATEMENTS.

I wasn't assuming your exact words were "for now I cut cost at home and enjoy my kids." This is not - I've been looking for work, but find it difficult as my husband works long hours and I wouldn't make enough to cover the day care cost and have money to spare.

If you mis spoke - then that is your error and not mine becuase I interpreted correctly.

~Amanda

 

[MrsKreamer]

Since when do I not like you? I don't agree with you, that doesn't mean I don't like you. I wish you nothing but the best, and was right there when Katrina happened. Nice subtle name calling by the way. I even missed it the first time.

I think your ACTIONS disqualifies your STATEMENTS.

I wasn't assuming your exact words were "for now I cut cost at home and enjoy my kids." This is not - I've been looking for work, but find it difficult as my husband works long hours and I wouldn't make enough to cover the day care cost and have money to spare.

If you mis spoke - then that is your error and not mine becuase I interpreted correctly.

~Amanda

I did mis speak. I didn't mean for it to come across the way it did.
I believe when Katrina hit you questioned my authenticity.

 

[Chloe'sMom]

I did mis speak. I didn't mean for it to come across the way it did.
I believe when Katrina hit you questioned my authenticity.

I questioned your statements about personal responsibility and not turning to the government for help. As that was your opinion prior to Katrina. Meanwhile I fully supported you receiving the assitance and don't begrudge that to you.

I'm not a cold hearted person.

~Amanda

 

[Christine]

The income levels to qualify for the daycare tax credit are so low. DH and I make a comfortable income but we're far from rich and we don't qualify at all. Part of the problem is this tax credits don't take into account where you're living. Our income in many parts of the country would probably put us in the wealthy bracket but that's far from true here in the northeast.

I have the same issue. I haven't gotten ANY of the credit in 3 years. Prior to that, the credit was greatly reduced.

Believe me, I'm not rolling in dough--I live in D.C.

As to why the government even offers this credit--it is to encourage and help the middle class STAY working when they have children. It helps them afford care so they can keep their jobs. It also creates employment for the whole daycare sector. By me going to work and paying daycare, I'm putting my money back into the economy and am helping to employ another person.

 

[Tiffer]

That is just crazy and doesn't even work in theory. You do know who suffers then? The kids. Kids who get left in cars or at home alone why parents work.

Yes having a child is a choice, but a lot of people end up becoming a parent when they didn't plan on it. Lots of kids are born into less then idea situations. It happens.

Just because I was able to something in life one way, doesn't mean every other person can and they are just lazy if they don't. There are a lot of situations out there. The old saying about walking a mile in another persons shoes fits here.

I don't like to see people abuse the system any more then the next person, but it is the kids who suffer if we don't have a system. I think it is better to error on the side of having compassion, then having children suffer.

The situations that Duckie is talking about is one everyone hates to hear about and is clearly wrong. No rational person would think that is ok, unless they were the one getting the $ and then they are no better then a crook who feels they are entitled to someone else's wallet because the left it on the table for 2 seconds when they went to throw out their trash.

Still I think those cases should be prosecuted and not label every person who ever needed and received some aid as a bad person.

Your posts on this thread are great and I agree with everyting you have said.

If you drop your kids off at daycare everyday, you and your DH can claim 6k in tax credit. If I provide my own care for my kids, I should get the same tax credit. I'm the defacto daycare provider for my kids. Why should we concourage people to put their kids in daycare?

Becuase the working people are working toward somthing and paying into the tax system.

When you stay at home, you are not conrtibuting to te tax pot.

Granted they get most of it back, but the longer they stay a a job, the better the chances of them getting health insurance, 401K, pension, etc, and getting off any assistance.

It is like an incentive program.

 

[CEDmom]

I have the same issue. I haven't gotten ANY of the credit in 3 years. Prior to that, the credit was greatly reduced.

Believe me, I'm not rolling in dough--I live in D.C.

As to why the government even offers this credit--it is to encourage and help the middle class STAY working when they have children. It helps them afford care so they can keep their jobs. It also creates employment for the whole daycare sector. By me going to work and paying daycare, I'm putting my money back into the economy and am helping to employ another person.

I understand why it was created. I just want people to understand that there are plenty of people that don't get it even though by virtue of where they live they'd be considered middle class. Income caps don't work at a federal level. They need to be more regionalized.

 

[phorsenuf]

Barkely,

In all honesty I wouldn't be surprised if she suddenly developes Fibrmyalgia or something along those lines and tries to get SSI/SSDI on that basis.

What the heck! Are you saying fibromyalgia is a made up disease? Well let me tell you something Ducklite, as somebody who suffers everyday from this condition I don't wish it on my worst enemy and to even suggest that somebody can make it up just to milk the system has got to be one of the most ignorant and demeaning things I have read on these boards.
I am sitting here in amazement that I just read that. All I can say is watch out baby cause Karma is a *****!

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

What the heck! Are you saying fibromyalgia is a made up disease? Well let me tell you something Ducklite, as somebody who suffers everyday from this condition I don't wish it on my worst enemy and to even suggest that somebody can make it up just to milk the system has got to be one of the most ignorant and demeaning things I have read on these boards.
I am sitting here in amazement that I just read that. All I can say is watch out baby cause Karma is a *****!

Yikes, I would hope nobody would insinuate that fibromyalgia is a made up disease. After watching my DW suffer from the fibro that tacked itself onto her infectious arthritis autoimmune disease to the point where her 10 lb dog can't touch her without her crying in pain ... It's a horrible disease.