Food stamp benefits

[luvsJack]

I have been lucky enough not to have to struggle to clothe my children. However, I have a very good understanding of the situation. I WAS the child who was wearing non-name-brand and inexpensive clothing amid those who were wearing much, MUCH better than I. I went to a 'rich' suburban high school...And was the youngest of 5 children between the ages of 10 and 17 when my father passed away. A few years later we learned that our accountant (and 'friend') embezzeled all of my dad's life insurance money. My mom worked her butt off...I distinctly remember her going to work when she was very sick...just to make sure she didn't miss time. And we did NOT go on food stamps. Nor did we buy anything expensive. I had very basic, but clean, clothing. Got a job myself when I was 15 and bought all my own clothes after that (and on min wage - nothing name brand among them I assure you).

And what did I learn? That hard work is invaluable. That you can be a good person and have integrity and hold your head high even without a name on your jean pocket.

My mom made sure we got our teeth cleaned every 6 months (ok - likely missed a couple times but usually that often) - THIS was more important than spending money on luxuries. How many people do you know (or do you think) that do not have health insurance or go to dental appointments but DO have really nice cell phones and Tommy jeans not bought at a thrift store? I only know a few personally...but I know for sure there are a lot more.

Oh and even though I CAN afford (via the hard work learned from my mother) to buy my kids expensive jeans...they have never once had a pair. And they too are learning that it just isn't as important as other things.

Just to be clear. I worked my tail off for those years that me and my boys were on food stamps. I worked at least two jobs and sometimes 3. You have no clue what I did or what any other mother on assistance does. Do not even begin to hint to me that someone is not working hard enough if they are receiving food stamps.

As for the rest--good for you. The fact still remains that these brands can be bought for the same price as the non-brands at WalMart or KMart; you just have to know where to look. I am in no way condoning purchasing luxuries over a child's needs. I am simply saying that if it is important to someone to have certain things, they can find them at a price they can pay.

 

[C.Ann]

Just to be clear. I worked my tail off for those years that me and my boys were on food stamps. I worked at least two jobs and sometimes 3. You have no clue what I did or what any other mother on assistance does. Do not even begin to hint to me that someone is not working hard enough if they are receiving food stamps.

As for the rest--good for you. The fact still remains that these brands can be bought for the same price as the non-brands at WalMart or KMart; you just have to know where to look. I am in no way condoning purchasing luxuries over a child's needs. I am simply saying that if it is important to someone to have certain things, they can find them at a price they can pay.

Go away for awhile - come back and I'm totally lost.. It gets confusing when you can only see certain posts..

Anyhow - I'm sure you worked very hard to improve your circumstances and can't quite figure out how anyone could accuse or imply anything different since most people complaining here know nothing more about the FS receiver than what they have seen for 5 minutes in a store.. I think my psychic abilities in this area must be lacking..

 

[punkin]

GI think my psychic abilities in this area must be lacking..

My grandmother was on foodstamps near the end of her life (as well as SSI and medicare). Every week my mother or my sister or I took her food stamps and bought her food (actually this was mostly in the winter when she was afraid of falling on the ice). Since we were already in the store, we would also do shopping for ourselves, probably including some expensive shampoo (of course we paid separately). So here you see working age women, dressed in nice clothes using food stamps and buying expensive shampoo. I am sure many people jumped to conclusions.

Luckily I wasn't aware of some people's innate psychic powers at the time, otherwise I would have told grandma to go do her own shopping.

 

[did2008]

I know in most states, you can use coupons with food stamps. The State of Alabama allows you to do so. I may be in a predicament where our family would need to get on food stamps. I'm unemployed due to the economy and the money we have is barely enough to pay the mortgage, bills, and groceries. I'm convinced at shopping at Publix (even if it's a 45 minute drive and the rest of the family isn't so convinced) because they will take almost every coupon including Rite Aid $/$$ coupons and internet coupons where Walmart won't. I spent $21.00 on a week's worth of groceries that totaled over $100 the other day just by the coupon tactics I learned through others. I had to get a prescription for my blood pressure and since it was a new prescription, I used a Kmart coupon for a $10 gift card with a new or transferred prescription and got a Publix gift card in exchange. If it were a transferred script, I could have used a Rite Aid coupon for a $25 Publix gift card and I would have got milk, egg beaters (really cheap at $1.05 a box last week), bread, stuff like that for free. You know, just basic necessities.

BTW, 1 member makes $200 a week and the other gets disability and I want to work.

 

[rumrunnergirl]

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[rumrunnergirl]

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[arielsleepingbeauty]

We are a family of 3 and I spend about $400 on food. I buy canned goods, breads, produce, paper napkins, toilet paper, cereals and anything else that I can at a low cost gorcery store. I save about $100 every time i shop there. I buy all my meats at a whole foods store and fish, depending on whats on sale, at a fish market. My girls have a yogury smoothie with fruit for breakfast, they really enjoy salads with low fat crackers, bottle of water and homemade sugar free jello or pudding packaged into used containers. For dinner we will have a meat, fish or pasta for dinner every night with a vegetable. For dessert, I will do something with fuit. We eat healthy and do not go without and do it at a reasonable price

 

[disney1990]

Yep. Florida is one of the lowest paying states and $275/wk is the maximum they will pay. The rate has been $275 for over 10 years. You do get a $25 per week "stimulus" check also, which makes the weekly payout at minimum wage. If I were you I'd start putting money away now.

DH got laid off last month. Do not request for taxes to be taken out - he did and then found out that the first $2900 in benefits is tax exempt, so we sent in a letter asking them to quit withholding taxes. We'll be getting food stamps too but that won't arrive for 5 weeks after him getting laid off because they said he made too much money when he worked.

Good luck!

Actually it is the first $2400 that is tax exempt. However, I don't believe that the amount that of taxes that they withhold is enough to cover the actual taxes that will be due on the unemployment compensation after the first $2400 is paid out. I went ahead and had taxes withheld because in the long run, I am sure I will owe and it will then be harder to come up with the money.

 

[rumrunnergirl]

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[karinbelle]

I truly wish there were a way to make those that abuse the system repay their debt. I had a family member who worked the system to death. People like her make it hard for those families (the majority of those in the system) who really need assistance.

She liquidated all of her assets (buying computers and many other items) and lived off her dying father while receving food stamp, child care, and schooling. She then manipulated him into giving her the majority of his assets while leaving out the rest of the siblings. This was all after she orchestrated the divorce of her parents.

Now she is living large. Yes, she finshed school and has a job. She should have to pay back every penny back to the system.

Now, there are so many who need assistance. I just hate it that she took away from those truly in need. I believe the majority who need assistance do not have the twisted mind of this particular person.