Staying single to collect welfare benefits

[luvsJack]

but there are just as many who aren't stuck and just receiving the benefits and not doing anything to get themselves out of the situation.


The free breakfast and lunch program should come off the top of the food stamps.

But, don't you see; not doing anything to get themselves out of the situation IS feeling stuck and hopeless. Its just not this wonderful existence that all of those on assistance are just thrilled to no end to be a part of.

Taking that off the top just isn't fair. Just because a kid gets free breakfast and lunch doesn't mean they always eat at school. What about when they are sick? What about school holidays and weekends? What if the school is having one of its "specialties" of surprise meat casserole and the child wants to take their lunch or eat breakfast at home?

 

[HOGFAN]

there is a name for these kind of people ...trash..

 

[blurrycat]

there is a name for these kind of people ...trash..

Do we really have the right to make that sort of judgement about anyone?

I am sure the answer offhand will be "Yes, they are using my tax dollars." But there's a big difference between not agreeing with someone's actions and deciding they are trash. The very definition of that is something to be thrown away as worthless.

 

[Poohbear123]

If she's living with the guy and being supported by him in any way, yet not claiming his support in order to get her benefits, she's cheating the system and basically stealing our money. It's disgusting.

Happens all the time here in Miami...and than they collect Money from the IRS with other relatives kids! I have yet to figure out HOW they get away with that!

 

[Art 1]

There are moochers and then there are those of us who support them.

 

[lillygator]

But, don't you see; not doing anything to get themselves out of the situation IS feeling stuck and hopeless. Its just not this wonderful existence that all of those on assistance are just thrilled to no end to be a part of.

Taking that off the top just isn't fair. Just because a kid gets free breakfast and lunch doesn't mean they always eat at school. What about when they are sick? What about school holidays and weekends? What if the school is having one of its "specialties" of surprise meat casserole and the child wants to take their lunch or eat breakfast at home?

So you can feel stuck and hopeless and DO something about it, or you can feel stuck and hopeless and continue to work the system.

I would bet more often than not the kids who's parents are on assistance and are getting the free lunch and bfast - would probably be the only meals they are ensured for the day. (around here)

 

[luvsJack]

So you can feel stuck and hopeless and DO something about it, or you can feel stuck and hopeless and continue to work the system.

I would bet more often than not the kids who's parents are on assistance and are getting the free lunch and bfast - would probably be the only meals they are ensured for the day. (around here)

Obviously you have never been in a situation that you truly felt was hopeless. Feeling truly hopeless about a situation makes you believe that you cannot do anything about it. What many of people really need is someone or something to show them that they CAN get out of the situation.

I fail to see how being on government assistance automatically makes someone a bad parent. I see our students that are on assistance every day and they love their children and do their best by them.

 

[funnygarcia]

Plenty of times I see people using food stamps at the store to buy brand names while I have generic brands in my cart..

Time to learn to use coupons.

I am simply saying that the system is a circle for some of these people. If a minimum wage job will not pay you enough to pay for whatever benefits you are losing, what good is it?
I see the people that come in here everyday trying to get into school and make a better life for themselves. I see how many are trying to go to school full time, work full time and raise a family and then to have their benefits sucked out from under them and they can't pay their rent. So they only have one choice, quit the job so they can keep their place to live. Many of them start thinking they should just give up trying to make things better.

My family is in a similar situation.
My dh qualifies as disabled due to end stage renal disease. He started working as a teacher and made too much income to still qualify for social security disability. However his take home pay after taxes, union fees, retirement fund, medical, etc is now less than what he got on disability.
We no longer have the tax benefits, we are going without family coverage because the premium would be 1/3 of his take home pay (not to mention $2,000 deductibles per person and tiered co-pays). Plus with budget cut backs he did not get a raise, nor will he next year.

Why should he work himself to fatigue and at risk for illness when it doesn't make a difference? Teaching is not a minimum wage job, he has a degree.

I told that to a 15 year old father of a seven month old today. I was like, "I don't want to pay to raise your children. If I'm not the one having the sex, then the child that results shouldn't be my responsibility."

As part of his probation, he's being Court ordered to get a job.

I would rather a 15 yr old go to school, concentrate on his studies and go on to college to have a better earning potential. Besides, who the heck is going to hire a 15 yr old? Not when others with more experience are looking for jobs.

coached their kids to do poorly on tests so that they could fall behind and be "disabled" or to behave poorly in school so that they could be "disabled". It's very easy for a child to get disability and very hard for an adult. Once a child is "disabled" and collecting SSI, the family automatically is eligible for Section 8, Medicaid, and food stamps, of course if no one is working.

A school can not diagnose a child with a disability, they can ask parents to have the child evaluated by a doctor.

SSI automatically qualifies for Medical aid, if there is other income coming in the SSI benefit will be cut back ..

Parents who have no disability and no small children at home choose not to work over and over because they can get more by working the system. This is not a case Of "how do you know they don't aren't disabled and need that" I KNOW these people and they are NOT disabled. They are choosing not to work.

Most people working with my dh everyday do not know he is disabled, unless he shares that information. He can play the "disabled card" but chooses not to unless he has a real need.

Children's ssi cases are extremely hard to get approved.
And really, who can live off $647 a month for an entire family (let alone a single person)

Exactly!
We had to live off SSI for two months ( at the time we had a 3 yr old and 3 month old, dh was too sick even to care for himself) while waiting for dh's benefit to start.. it was awful! Had just enough for rent and utilities, had enough food due to food stamps... but that was it. I cried the day we ran out of quarters for laundry, our hands were raw from washing clothes in the bathtub. Humiliation of begging for diaper money from family. We got through it but would never want to be there again.

A partial disability carries partial benefits.

umm, you are either disabled or not.. there is no partial in terns of social security disability. You can earn up to $680 per month ( ? it changes each year) and it will not effect your benefit or start the Trial Work Period clock.

Actually, I think it should be like a flexible spending account, where they have a debit card and all receipts need to be sent in and justified.

Interesting, but the case workers barely have time to deal with the flood of applications, renewals and monthly reports now.

The last time dh sent in paperwork for his 6 month renewal for medical assistance as disabled, it took the worker 4 months to reply that yes he still qualified. I expect the next 6 month renewal packet to appear next week, the renewal approval letter arrived just two weeks ago.

Oh yeah.. got a letter today from Medicare informing us that the state was paying for Medicare premiums... starting August 2008

uhh what??

 

[princessmom29]

Obviously you have never been in a situation that you truly felt was hopeless. Feeling truly hopeless about a situation makes you believe that you cannot do anything about it. What many of people really need is someone or something to show them that they CAN get out of the situation.

I fail to see how being on government assistance automatically makes someone a bad parent. I see our students that are on assistance every day and they love their children and do their best by them.

But, don't you see; not doing anything to get themselves out of the situation IS feeling stuck and hopeless. Its just not this wonderful existence that all of those on assistance are just thrilled to no end to be a part of.

Taking that off the top just isn't fair. Just because a kid gets free breakfast and lunch doesn't mean they always eat at school. What about when they are sick? What about school holidays and weekends? What if the school is having one of its "specialties" of surprise meat casserole and the child wants to take their lunch or eat breakfast at home?

there are people that are stuck and hopeless, but there are also those who are content with their lot and don't see a need to do any better. They really do exist. I have talked to them, lots of them, and heard them say as much. They are perfectly happy to stay as they are. If someone would givethem more money they would take it, but have no desire to work to improve their situation. It is not worth the effort.

 

[OceanAnnie]

there are people that are stuck and hopeless, but there are also those who are content with their lot and don't see a need to do any better. They really do exist. I have talked to them, lots of them, and heard them say as much. They are perfectly happy to stay as they are.

There is a wide range of happiness and contentedness when it comes to welfare. In a lot of respects, it's another culture altogether. It's difficult to understand the underpinnings. The people that are on welfare are a lot of times surrounded by neighbors, friends, and acquaintances that are also living much the same. If a person tries to break free of the need for welfare, they are not praised. It's the opposite. They are essentially breaking free of the culture and it can be isolating, lonely.

So while some may be content, IMO it could be conditioning from peers. Not always, but it does happen. Sad.

 

[princessmom29]

Time to learn to use coupons.



My family is in a similar situation.
My dh qualifies as disabled due to end stage renal disease. He started working as a teacher and made too much income to still qualify for social security disability. However his take home pay after taxes, union fees, retirement fund, medical, etc is now less than what he got on disability.
We no longer have the tax benefits, we are going without family coverage because the premium would be 1/3 of his take home pay (not to mention $2,000 deductibles per person and tiered co-pays). Plus with budget cut backs he did not get a raise, nor will he next year.

Why should he work himself to fatigue and at risk for illness when it doesn't make a difference? Teaching is not a minimum wage job, he has a degree.



I would rather a 15 yr old go to school, concentrate on his studies and go on to college to have a better earning potential. Besides, who the heck is going to hire a 15 yr old? Not when others with more experience are looking for jobs.



A school can not diagnose a child with a disability, they can ask parents to have the child evaluated by a doctor.

SSI automatically qualifies for Medical aid, if there is other income coming in the SSI benefit will be cut back ..



Most people working with my dh everyday do not know he is disabled, unless he shares that information. He can play the "disabled card" but chooses not to unless he has a real need.


Exactly!
We had to live off SSI for two months ( at the time we had a 3 yr old and 3 month old, dh was too sick even to care for himself) while waiting for dh's benefit to start.. it was awful! Had just enough for rent and utilities, had enough food due to food stamps... but that was it. I cried the day we ran out of quarters for laundry, our hands were raw from washing clothes in the bathtub. Humiliation of begging for diaper money from family. We got through it but would never want to be there again.


umm, you are either disabled or not.. there is no partial in terns of social security disability. You can earn up to $680 per month ( ? it changes each year) and it will not effect your benefit or start the Trial Work Period clock.



Interesting, but the case workers barely have time to deal with the flood of applications, renewals and monthly reports now.

The last time dh sent in paperwork for his 6 month renewal for medical assistance as disabled, it took the worker 4 months to reply that yes he still qualified. I expect the next 6 month renewal packet to appear next week, the renewal approval letter arrived just two weeks ago.

Oh yeah.. got a letter today from Medicare informing us that the state was paying for Medicare premiums... starting August 2008

uhh what??

You CAN be declared partially disabled. My cousin's wife has juvinille authritis and can only work part time. She gets partial social security disability.

 

[mskani]

That's actually a great idea. How are so many people staying on welfare if there is a 5 year limit? Good to hear the income doesn't increase with additional kids, maybe that will limit some of the girls who got pregnant for the increase.

I haven't read all of the responses here, but since you asked...

This practice was referred to as "capping" a child. Illinois reversed this policy several years ago. Believe it or not, when I had a caseload, I had a client who had a total of seven kids, five of which were capped!! So she was only receiving $278 in cash for a household of eight!!

 

[funnygarcia]

Partial disability ... not from social security.. maybe from an employer?
http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dqualify4.htm

The definition of disability under Social Security is different than other programs. Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or for short-term disability.

"Disability" under Social Security is based on your inability to work. We consider you disabled under Social Security rules if:

* You cannot do work that you did before;
* We decide that you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s); and
* Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.

However, you can be disabled per ss and work part time as long as you don't earn over $720 a month, over $720 will count as Trial work month (rolling 60 month period.. if you earn $721 anytime within a 5 year period.. it counts as one of your trial months. You are only allowed 9 trial months in 5 years).

Trial work period—The trial work period allows you to test your ability to work for at least nine months. During your trial work period, you will receive your full Social Security benefits regardless of how much you are earning as long as you report your work activity and you continue to have a disabling impairment. In 2010, a trial work month is any month in which your total earnings are $720 or more

After your trial months... you can earn less than $1,000 per month and still get full benefits in a 36 month period. If you earn more than $1,000 you will not get a benefit.

Extended period of eligibility—After your trial work period, you have 36 months during which you can work and still receive benefits for any month your earnings are not “substantial.” In 2010, earnings of $1000 or more ($1,640 if you are blind) are considered substantial.

http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10095.html


Believe me, I know the SS junk very well. My dh was told erroneously that he had not used up his trial months... he already did due to the few times (in a 5 yr period) of the one extra pay check in a month. We owe money for the months where he earned above the "substantial" level.

 

[lillygator]

Obviously you have never been in a situation that you truly felt was hopeless. Feeling truly hopeless about a situation makes you believe that you cannot do anything about it. What many of people really need is someone or something to show them that they CAN get out of the situation.

I fail to see how being on government assistance automatically makes someone a bad parent. I see our students that are on assistance every day and they love their children and do their best by them.

no obviously you have NO clue of any situation I have been in.

Yes there are parents that love their children who may happen to be on assistance, unfortunately there are those that don't as well.

 

[lillygator]

funnygarcia....you say you are going without medical (or family??). Do you work as well as DH? Is his just too expensive for you to purchase now or denial of coverage?

 

[funnygarcia]

He has medical thru work, single coverage only plus medicare and Medical assistance as disabled.

My boys and I do not have coverage. It is too expensive.
I have my own medical issues, but not enough to qualify for disability.. then again I can't file because I don't have medical.. rock hard place all that....

We make too much income for medical assistance as "non-disabled".
My state has a program for working families to buy a state sponsored insurance.. however, since dh's work offers insurance and pays 50% of the cost...which we can not afford.. we can not qualify for the program.


---

I do work on an occasional basis, more hours in the summer months. I also set up and maintain my dh's dialysis at home.

 

[funnygarcia]

I would bet more often than not the kids who's parents are on assistance and are getting the free lunch and bfast - would probably be the only meals they are ensured for the day. (around here)

I hope that's not true.

 

[swald91]

Unfortunately, there are so many people who know how to work the system-and they continue to pass it down from one generation to the next. I know, my mom worked for the welfare system-it's very sad that people that actually need the help are sometimes being turned away b/c they don't know how to do it....I am very tired of paying for LAZY people to keep popping out children while the ones that are down on their luck, loss of a job, whatever-are turned away..JMO.

 

[shellybaxter]

I think the point is being missed here.

It doesn't matter where they come from or what their situation is but if you are living with someone with the intention of pretending you are poorer then you are for benefits then that is wrong. Unfortunately in my state (CA) this is very common and it is bankrupting us. Many places actually enourage lying.

.

I'm sorry but I don't think that the social services provided in California are the only thing "bankrupting" us - how about the fact the the prison unions are the strongest in the state and our prison workers make double or more what comparable workers make in other states? Or the fact that the state just spent 4.1 billion dollars (or California money - not stimulas money) in my county to put in a bike lane?

I have not read what others have said because it won't change the way I feel about this issue. I just can't get all worked up over this. I think the state (or, more specifically federal government) should pay for everyone's heath care.

Me Too!!

I know exactly what you are saying...overall the cost is much greater for daycare. I just somehow feel better knowing that the parent is working and not just sitting home doing nothing. I know $$ wise it doesn't make sense, but morally I just don't know how to fix it

So you feel that government should pay money for services or not pay money for services based on your ideas of morality? What if my ideas about morality are different than yours? I pay taxes too.



I'm curious - what if the two people discussed in the OP were lesbians? They lived in the same household, one worked and payed the bills, the other stayed home with the children. In some states the working partner would not have the right to include the other partner on their insurance. Would it be okay for the pregnant woman to be on assistance then - even though her partner could support her and provide her with health insurance if they could become married?

 

[funnygarcia]

I'm curious - what if the two people discussed in the OP were lesbians? They lived in the same household, one worked and payed the bills, the other stayed home with the children. In some states the working partner would not have the right to include the other partner on their insurance. Would it be okay for the pregnant woman to be on assistance then - even though her partner could support her and provide her with health insurance if they could become married?

I hadn't thought of that scenario myself. What do couples do when legally they can not be married and can't get medical benefits?

In this case, the income of all household members is to be reported on the forms...regardless of relationship or legality.. it's a shared household. I still think the couple in OP likely would qualify for medical aid for the mom/baby even with all income stated.. unless they are both in professional 4 year degree type careers (full time). Family of 4 (mom counts as 2) can make just over $60,000 a year, the preg mom would still qualify for medical aid.. at least in MN they would..