If you quilify for welfare do you get actual money?

[jspoole]

Just curious. My friends dd gets what they call "Welfare". She isn't with her husband,he pays no child support and she doesn't work. She quit her job when she found out she was pregnant with third child a couple of months ago. But she has all this money for peds/mans, hair stylist every 3 weeks. So I was always under the impression welfare was just food stamps, Medicaid, housing. Do they actually get cash to spend? And if so, how much cash do they get a month?

 

[Janet Hill]

Yes you do get actual cash to spend.

 

[Marymom]

I think the answer differs from state to state. I volunteer at a local food bank that also helps with rent and utilities. I see and interview clients and they have to disclose all assistance received. I have never seen money disclosed in Florida. HUD, Medicaid and Food Stamps-yes. Now, many clients are on Social Security disability,unemployment or VA benefits but I don't classify that as the "welfare" that you are asking about. Your friends daughter is likely being given money from family or working under the table.

 

[barkley]

I think the answer differs from state to state. I volunteer at a local food bank that also helps with rent and utilities. I see and interview clients and they have to disclose all assistance received. I have never seen money disclosed in Florida. HUD, Medicaid and Food Stamps-yes. Now, many clients are on Social Security disability,unemployment or VA benefits but I don't classify that as the "welfare" that you are asking about. Your friends daughter is likely being given money from family or working under the table.

it can differ state to state-some give more in cash benefits (still not a huge amount) while others give it in the form of subsidies.

when I worked for dhss it was in a state that gave the maximum cash grant the feds permitted. we would get TONS of people moving to the area b/c they heard from family how much they were getting $$$ wise as compared to what they were getting in their home state. they saw $$$ signs and thought they would be waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay ahead if they moved. they were in for a HUGE surprise when they found out that while they did get more cash wise-they didn't get their utility and housing subsidies AND their food stamps decreased massively (also didn't help that the cost of living was WAY more expensive).

how much do they get? depends on state and how it's administered but in California a woman w/2 kids/no income or child support used to get between $638 and $714 a month (and if she's pregnant she might get another $47 or so until they baby is born). keep in mind-California is one of the higher paying states, in others it can be MUCH less.

 

[jspoole]

Thanks guys. I wasn't sure if they got cash or not. I was wanting to do something for friends dd and kids for the holidays, but not knowing what you actually get with welfare did not know what might be more helpful. I may do like baby sitting coupons or something like that.

 

[Marionnette]

Just curious. My friends dd gets what they call "Welfare". She isn't with her husband,he pays no child support and she doesn't work. She quit her job when she found out she was pregnant with third child a couple of months ago. But she has all this money for peds/mans, hair stylist every 3 weeks. So I was always under the impression welfare was just food stamps, Medicaid, housing. Do they actually get cash to spend? And if so, how much cash do they get a month?

How do you even know these details of her life? I don't even know how often my best friends visit a salon, let alone what their adult children are doing!

As for the answer to you question, it all depends upon the state in which you live as to how you actually access your benefits but generally, welfare benefits are dispersed as cash without any strings attached as to how it is spent. In my state, welfare and food stamps are on the same EBT card and you would never know if the recipient is using their cash or their food stamps to buy a steak. Recipients can also hit up an ATM to withdraw cash from their accounts for purchases that do not accept electronic payments.

The amount of cash that they get also varies with each state and with the number of dependents in the family.

 

[crisi]

From what I understand, there is a lot of barter among those that are poor. A lot of manicures are done in exchange for "I'll watch your kids" A lot of hair cuts are done in exchange for help with repairs. When no one has a lot of money, this sort of barter system becomes very important. So while some states give out money to welfare recipients, the existence of cash does not mean items or services (services especially) are paid for in cash.

 

[Marionnette]

Thanks guys. I wasn't sure if they got cash or not. I was wanting to do something for friends dd and kids for the holidays, but not knowing what you actually get with welfare did not know what might be more helpful. I may do like baby sitting coupons or something like that.

Well, if that was the intention when you started this thread, why did you ask about welfare cash? Why didn't you just ask if "babysitting coupons" would be an appropriate gift for a single mom of 3?

 

[DawnM]

I have a friend and her two daughters, all on government assistance.

The daughters have kids of their own and get their own assistance. The assistance also covers child care for about 12 hours per day if they wish (so they can find a job, etc...) so not sure if babysitting would be the best gift for them. Perhaps some Target gift cards so they can buy their kids some Christmas gifts????

Dawn

Thanks guys. I wasn't sure if they got cash or not. I was wanting to do something for friends dd and kids for the holidays, but not knowing what you actually get with welfare did not know what might be more helpful. I may do like baby sitting coupons or something like that.

 

[lauradis]

Thanks guys. I wasn't sure if they got cash or not. I was wanting to do something for friends dd and kids for the holidays, but not knowing what you actually get with welfare did not know what might be more helpful. I may do like baby sitting coupons or something like that.

Maybe you should offer to clean her house or cook her some meals since she is with child.

my mother in law did this for me and it was a god sent

 

[marmalade]

Thanks guys. I wasn't sure if they got cash or not. I was wanting to do something for friends dd and kids for the holidays, but not knowing what you actually get with welfare did not know what might be more helpful. I may do like baby sitting coupons or something like that.

Even if they do receive cash (I think we do in NY), she is on welfare, how much extra cash do you think she has laying around? If you genuinely wanted to do something for her kids for the holidays maybe offer to take her shopping to buy them a few gifts, or like another PP said gift cards.

 

[mandy14]

I would say to do something specifically for the kids. My sister was on welfare as well as had medicare for her kids. She was getting student loans and her husband was working under the table. He was making about $50,000 per year. Her rent was $250 per month on government assistance. I know for a fact that she was getting weekly manicures and monthly hair appointments as well as tattoos. She told us that she deserved all of these things. Her kids and herself have always had cell phones and all of the latest gadgets. The welfare system is severely flawed. Her circle of friends were just like her. On a side note, I tried to get her kids gifts for Christmas feeling the same as you and they had EVERYTHING. They even made fun of the gifts we gave them. She still claims that she deserves this money from the government. On my podium--if you are getting any type of government assistance you should not be getting hair done, manicures, have cell phones. If these are gifts then sell them for food. If you are exchanging for babysitting then get a job that will pay money. I do see there are many people that need government assistance but too many get it that don't need it and that is a fact.

 

[kandb]

Wow, it must be nice to get to stay at home and get everything paid for, my husband and I both have to work to pay our bills.

 

[crisi]

I would say to do something specifically for the kids. My sister was on welfare as well as had medicare for her kids. She was getting student loans and her husband was working under the table. He was making about $50,000 per year. Her rent was $250 per month on government assistance. I know for a fact that she was getting weekly manicures and monthly hair appointments as well as tattoos. She told us that she deserved all of these things. Her kids and herself have always had cell phones and all of the latest gadgets. The welfare system is severely flawed. Her circle of friends were just like her. On a side note, I tried to get her kids gifts for Christmas feeling the same as you and they had EVERYTHING. They even made fun of the gifts we gave them. She still claims that she deserves this money from the government. On my podium--if you are getting any type of government assistance you should not be getting hair done, manicures, have cell phones. If these are gifts then sell them for food. If you are exchanging for babysitting then get a job that will pay money. I do see there are many people that need government assistance but too many get it that don't need it and that is a fact.

Did you report them for welfare fraud? Welfare fraud is probably not as prevalent as people believe, but it would be less prevalent than it is if people would report it. And it isn't hard to prove since she needs to pay the bills for the phones, which means a bank account (you don't move $50k a year in cash and pay for cell phone contracts), which means its a simple audit. Without people reporting fraud, the system has no way to address those that do it.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I have nothing useful to add to the welfare question but I am just curious why a PP felt the need to go back and dig through OP's previous posts before answering the question. That is the very reason this board has gotten so volatile and rude. PPL just LOOKING for a way to be crappy to other ppl. You want to front her out for being judgmental when that is exactly what you were setting yourself up to do.

I strongly feel that if all you have to say is something crappy to the OP then skip the thread and move along. You are not so important that we all need to hear your judgment of OP. And I doubt she needs your life advice for what would make her a better person.

OP I do know this...in some states you make more money and subsidies off welfare than you would make if you had a minimum wage job. If you watch some news programs that do investigative reports on welfare fraud and abuse and how so many ppl live off welfare as a lifestyle and keep popping out more kids so they never have to work, you will see in some states they make out like a bandit. Between housing and utilities and food stamps and TANF checks and WIC. They basically get their life paid for. So why would any of them want to go to to work?

I would say this, if your friend's DD has the money to go get her hair done every 3 weeks then she must not be very bad off and I would let her own family worry about her and her kids.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I have nothing useful to add to the welfare question but I am just curious why a PP felt the need to go back and dig through OP's previous posts before answering the question. That is the very reason this board has gotten so volatile and rude. PPL just LOOKING for a way to be crappy to other ppl. You want to front her out for being judgmental when that is exactly what you were setting yourself up to do. I strongly feel that if all you have to say is something crappy to the OP then skip the thread and move along. You are not so important that we all need to hear your judgment of OP. And I doubt she needs your life advice for what would make her a better person. OP I do know this...in some states you make more money and subsidies off welfare than you would make if you had a minimum wage job. If you watch some news programs that do investigative reports on welfare fraud and abuse and how so many ppl live off welfare as a lifestyle and keep popping out more kids so they never have to work, you will see in some states they make out like a bandit. Between housing and utilities and food stamps and TANF checks and WIC. They basically get their life paid for. So why would any of them want to go to to work? I would say this, if your friend's DD has the money to go get her hair done every 3 weeks then she must not be very bad off and I would let her own family worry about her and her kids.

Agree with all this!

 

[Eastern]

I have nothing useful to add to the welfare question but I am just curious why a PP felt the need to go back and dig through OP's previous posts before answering the question. That is the very reason this board has gotten so volatile and rude. PPL just LOOKING for a way to be crappy to other ppl. You want to front her out for being judgmental when that is exactly what you were setting yourself up to do.

I strongly feel that if all you have to say is something crappy to the OP then skip the thread and move along. You are not so important that we all need to hear your judgment of OP. And I doubt she needs your life advice for what would make her a better person.

Agree! The PP can also click on the red triangle if she feels the post is offensive and let the mods decide.

 

[chobie]

I have nothing useful to add to the welfare question but I am just curious why a PP felt the need to go back and dig through OP's previous posts before answering the question. That is the very reason this board has gotten so volatile and rude. PPL just LOOKING for a way to be crappy to other ppl. You want to front her out for being judgmental when that is exactly what you were setting yourself up to do.

I strongly feel that if all you have to say is something crappy to the OP then skip the thread and move along. You are not so important that we all need to hear your judgment of OP. And I doubt she needs your life advice for what would make her a better person.

OP I do know this...in some states you make more money and subsidies off welfare than you would make if you had a minimum wage job. If you watch some news programs that do investigative reports on welfare fraud and abuse and how so many ppl live off welfare as a lifestyle and keep popping out more kids so they never have to work, you will see in some states they make out like a bandit. Between housing and utilities and food stamps and TANF checks and WIC. They basically get their life paid for. So why would any of them want to go to to work?

I would say this, if your friend's DD has the money to go get her hair done every 3 weeks then she must not be very bad off and I would let her own family worry about her and her kids.

So maybe the solution is a living wage? People who work full time should be able to put a roof over their head and eat.

 

[chobie]

Agree! The PP can also click on the red triangle if she feels the post is offensive and let the mods decide.

Or they can look to see why someone with only 40 or so posts is starting threads about how well someone on welfare is living. Considering how repeating urban legends about welfare queens is guaranteed to create controversy.

 

[lauradis]

Agree! The PP can also click on the red triangle if she feels the post is offensive and let the mods decide.

This is what makes dis board really hard to make clean but honest comments.

Not everyone has the same view points. gosh forbid you type something that not popular.

OP seems like she didn't know about the cash thing and threw in her opinion about being able to get nails on hair done every 3 weeks, which allot of woman want, but will not spend the money on because they chose to do other things.

Personally not a fan of long term welfare.

Op like I said in earlier post give her something from your heart as from one woman to another and if you can't then don't.