Feeling odd about recent decision *Update Page 7*

[*pixie*dust*]

Only you and your husband can decide if you want/need to apply for assistence. It is really what you are comfortable with.

I do know that is more difficult for adults without children to qualify unless they are elderly or disabled.
You could also check with your local church if you belong to one. Many churches have food or energy assistence.

Have you considered babysitting or temp work?

 

[HGD24]

Have you considered babysitting or temp work?

Temp work is a great idea! I've worked for temp agencies when in between jobs and found a couple of long-term jobs that way.

As for the food stamps, if you qualify and are really in need, please don't feel ashamed about asking for the help. The program is there for those who are in need and are trying to get back on their feet. If that little bit of money that you'll save by being on food stamps can be put towards other bills to help you get by while you are looking for another permanent job, than that's what you need to do. Good luck

 

[ccgirl]

Do not feel bad at all!!! IMHO, it is situations like yours that food stamps and assistance are for. You are not taking advantage of the system at all. Think of all the years you have paid taxes while you were working. Use it as assistance and when you find another job, you won't need them anymore. Please don't feel bad at all. Wishing you luck with your situation.

 

[leahjade]

Even in this bad economy, my husband's company still has trouble finding people for needed positions - they don't want to work night shift, think the job is beneath them or won't work for under $15 an hour etc. Before I took food stamps, I'd work 2 or 3 minimum wage jobs!

The little bit of spending money we had, was put away for over a month

Think I would've used the money I put back for food or utilities instead of a day trip but that's just my mentality. I can't sleep at night if I'm spending money on frivilous items and the bills aren't being paid. But I am definitely a minority in this day and age.

we are just getting by. Some weeks I have gone a week on ramen noodles and mac and cheese, because of unexpected budget issues.

 

[a1tinkfans]

So this evening, I decided to bite the bullet, and apply for food stamps. I have been unemployed since 2/25, and I was the "breadwinner" in our household. DH works, but he only makes $8 an hour. I am in UI, but am close to needing an extension. We have been getting by, but being in FL, our electric bill averages around 200 a month, then when we factor in the rent, gas and other expenses, we are just getting by. Some weeks I have gone a week on ramen noodles and mac and cheese, because of unexpected budget issues.

Now I dont feel we are in dire need, but if we could get our food costs off our chest, even for a few months, it would be a HUGE help, but yet I just feel wrong for applying. I am like many Americans who have found themselves in this scenario now that the economy has tanked.

So did I do the right thing? I dont have kids, but I still need to eat...help me feel better about this decision

PLEASE have no hesitation about getting help,its what it is there for.
Best of Luck to you!

 

[wovenwonder]

The system has set it's own guideline's/restrictions. If you meet those guideline's and thus qualify for the assistance then I would surely take it. Sending good thoughts your way!

 

[Dax]

Even in this bad economy, my husband's company still has trouble finding people for needed positions - they don't want to work night shift, think the job is beneath them or won't work for under $15 an hour etc. Before I took food stamps, I'd work 2 or 3 minimum wage jobs!

Think I would've used the money I put back for food or utilities instead of a day trip but that's just my mentality. I can't sleep at night if I'm spending money on frivilous items and the bills aren't being paid. But I am definitely a minority in this day and age.

If I could get a min wage job, I would...how sad is it when the local McDonalds is not hiring. I NEVER said a job was beneath me, or that I turned down something. A lot of the time ppl see my resume, and get worried I am gonna quit as soon as something else comes around.

As for my spending money, Trust me, $20-$30 did not go very far. But I am not gonna sit here and try and justify it to you. The day gave me the boost I needed. Not all of us live in a perfect world like you do.

 

[maleficent1959]

Even in this bad economy, my husband's company still has trouble finding people for needed positions - they don't want to work night shift, think the job is beneath them or won't work for under $15 an hour etc. Before I took food stamps, I'd work 2 or 3 minimum wage jobs!

Think I would've used the money I put back for food or utilities instead of a day trip but that's just my mentality. I can't sleep at night if I'm spending money on frivilous items and the bills aren't being paid. But I am definitely a minority in this day and age.

Wow. Your compassion underwhelms me. Sounds like Dax has been anything BUT irresponsible -- budget cutting, job searching... How dare she take one day, full of freebies no less, and take a mental break from the daily grind and stress of her situation!

Dax, I wish you luck. I'm in Florida too, and our local economy is just terrible. I wish we could find some of those elusive companies that just can't fill positions. I know too many people who need one around here.

 

[Ava]

OP, don't let the negative posts on this thread get to you. Do not feel ashamed about applying for assistance! That's why these programs were created, to help people get back on their feet during difficult times.

To the PPs who said they would work two or three jobs before applying for food stamps, not everyone is able to do that. You can't possibly know the details of someone else's situation, and what works for you may not work for everyone.

 

[Mic]

I would not feel badly in the slightest. You are a taxpayer, and you are now in need of a little help.

When I was a very little girl, my Dad was a driver for UPS. He later moved up into management, but back then he was a union guy. My parents were young when they had us....early 20s, and they just bought their first home...just getting started in life. They had three young daughters under five years old. There were no credit cards back then like we have now. And so when UPS went out on strike, there was a tiny stipend from the union, but it was next to nothing. We ended up on food stamps during that time....I believe it was six weeks.

I was very little, but I clearly remember my mother feeling ashamed at going through the grocery line and having to use those food stamps. My father's parents loaned them some money, but still, it wasn't enough.

Fast forward many years and my parents helped to put their three daughters through college, and they've retired with a very nice nest egg and pension. They'd look back on that period when we needed some help as just a small blip on the radar of their financial lives. And they went on to achieve financial success and independence in their own right.

Things are particularly tough in Florida right now. It may take you awhile to find a job....and so take the help, and hold your head up high. That's what it's there for....you aren't taking advantage. And years from now you'll look back on it as my parents do today.....just a little bump on the road to success.

I just had to weigh in here about UPS. When UPS went on strike in 1996, my husband's income from the union was $50 a week. Our children were 8,6,4, and 2 at the time. My husband actually applied for food stamps, but we were denied because we owned a home and more than one car(things may be different now). Luckily, the strike only lasted a few weeks, but the affect of it lingered for a long time. UPS lost a lot of business, and drivers with less seniority had to scramble for hours. My husband had a "split" job for a few years: he drove a truck for a few hours a day(delivering mostly air packages), then loaded trucks for the rest of the shift. The financial stress was very hard on our marriage, but we learned to depend on each other and survived. We were ashamed to be struggling so much, and were embarrassed that we even considered asking for government help, given how we did not "qualify" for anything. My husband's sister and brother-in-law have received public assistance out the wa-zoo for more than 16 years, even though they have only two children and SIL received a house and land when my mother-in-law died. I agree with other posters that the OP should definitely apply for food stamps, and I hope she receives the benefits.

 

[Kay1]

I'm not directing this at any particular poster and I don't mean to be negative at all, but sometimes relocation has to be considered.

 

[vgrandy]

My friend works out a grocery store and sees so many young able-bodies couples using food stamps all the time with neither spouse working or trying to work. Soon there will not be enough taxpayers to pay for all the people who aren't working.

How does the grocery store clerk know if these people are looking for jobs or not?

 

[S. C.]

My friend works out a grocery store and sees so many young able-bodies couples using food stamps all the time with neither spouse working or trying to work. Soon there will not be enough taxpayers to pay for all the people who aren't working.

How does the grocery store clerk know if these people are looking for jobs or not?

I agree! And these people could very well be working at low paying jobs while trying to find something better.

My husband would work two jobs then so we wouldn't have to go on food stamps. And like Dave Ramsey and Dr. Phil say "you should make looking for a job, a full-time job." Or how about checking into some of the free training and college courses offered to low income families? I just think sometimes it's too easy to get on assistance and too easy to stay there.

So very easy to say when you are not in that situation. In todays economy jobs are not that easy to find. And they very well could be out pounding the pavement everyday looking for jobs.

Do you honestly believe most people like being without a job?
psssst....by the way... in case you haven't noticed lots of business are laying off and closing their doors.

 

[NATALIEBELLESmom]

If I could get a min wage job, I would...how sad is it when the local McDonalds is not hiring. I NEVER said a job was beneath me, or that I turned down something. A lot of the time ppl see my resume, and get worried I am gonna quit as soon as something else comes around.

As for my spending money, Trust me, $20-$30 did not go very far. But I am not gonna sit here and try and justify it to you. The day gave me the boost I needed. Not all of us live in a perfect world like you do.

DAX you do not need to explain yourself or your day of relief to anyone. Please do not feel bad about applying for assistance. There are times when we need assistance and that is what it is for. As for the poster that seems to judge others way too harshly I wish you could walk a mile in the shoes of the people who have lost their jobs and see if your way of thinking still stands. Dax things will get better you just have to believe they will.

 

[mindyd]

If you need assistance and qualify you should not feel ashamed. It sounds like you are doing everything you need to do and you are not trying to abuse the system. I would not let negative comments bother you, you are doing what is best for your family.

 

[lts862]

Who is paying to feed the animals? It seems like you have 9 pets in your household (according to your signature). It must be costly to feed and care for them. Just sayin'!!



ETA: Flame suit is on!

 

[Dax]

Who is paying to feed the animals? It seems like you have 9 pets in your household (according to your signature). It must be costly to feed and care for them. Just sayin'!!



ETA: Flame suit is on!

Not gonna flame you...yes I have animals...I also WILL NOT abandon them. They are my family too. They are being fed..thanks to some help.

I am not saying I am totally broke. I have made it by with what I have now for months, but its still tight. If the car breaks down, that little bit of extra is gone. Maybe I should not have posted, as I had a feeling many would not understand.

 

[S. C.]

Who is paying to feed the animals? It seems like you have 9 pets in your household (according to your signature). It must be costly to feed and care for them. Just sayin'!!



ETA: Flame suit is on!

OK...so now the op is suppose to get rid of pets that they more than likely had before the economy took a dump and she lost her job? Then you would be complaining that all of these people that lost their jobs had to turn their pets over to the shelters for taxpayers to take care of.

If they had children instead of pets then what? You would be telling them to give up the children?

IMHO you just want to

 

[Ava]

OK...so now the op is suppose to get rid of pets that they more than likely had before the economy took a dump and she lost her job? Then you would be complaining that all of these people that lost their jobs had to turn their pets over to the shelters for taxpayers to take care of.

If they had children instead of pets then what? You would be telling them to give up the children?

IMHO you just want to

Took the words out of my mouth.

Also, a person should not be forced to become destitute before they ask for help. In fact, they should ask for help before they get so far in the hole that it's next to impossible to dig out.

 

[lts862]

No, I am just wondering if a friend or family member could help out by keeping the animals. Food and care for that many can be expensive. Food stamps for her and DH so that her cash can go toward the animals doesn't sit right with me!

I would not complain the the OP was "dumping" animals because of the economy....making a plan is a good thing. Having some money for emergencies should be a priority.