Staying single to collect welfare benefits

[jayally]

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 have a friend that lost her job and then injured her back and was unable to get any support from anywhere. The state agency she went to pretty much encouraged her to lie but she couldn't do it and still respect her values. I had the same problem many years ago when we were pretty desitute and could not qualify for any help because we owned property. The mortgage was less than I would pay for rent but the state said I had to not own a vehicle or a house and I wasn't willing to give up what we worked so hard for or lie. We almost ended up homeless anyway but EX was able to work 2 jobs to get us through.

I have seen people buying prime steaks and junk food on food stamps and it makes me so frustrated since I cannot afford them for my family. When they go to the parking lot with their carts brimming they jump into their extended cab Toyota Tacoma's or escalades with flashy rims. Many of the women I see standing in lines have manicured nails, fancy purses, nice clothes and draped in jewelry. Something is definately wrong with our society and it's no wonder we have the problems we do.

Again, I see this from all types of people.

 

[torinsmom]

When I got pregnant, I was not married. I was working as a nanny, but qualified for Medicaid and WIC. My then BF and I got married when I was 4 months pregnant, but it didn't affect the Medicaid or WIC. At least back then, once you qualify, you stay on the programs until the baby is 1 year old. I wasn't cheating the system, as I was upfront and honest about the situation. That was the first and only time me or anyone in my family got any kind of state aid.

Sounds like what that mom has is Medicaid for the baby. If she qualifies, she must meet the income requirements. Now if she was living in government housing and the bf was living with her, THAT would be illegal, and should be reported. It might be questionable that she is not getting married to keep the Medicaid, but in her position, it is probably the smartest thing to do. If they got married and couldn't afford insurance, the state would cover the kids anyway.

 

[EclecticWAHM]

When I got pregnant, I was not married. I was working as a nanny, but qualified for Medicaid and WIC. My then BF and I got married when I was 4 months pregnant, but it didn't affect the Medicaid or WIC. At least back then, once you qualify, you stay on the programs until the baby is 1 year old. I wasn't cheating the system, as I was upfront and honest about the situation. That was the first and only time me or anyone in my family got any kind of state aid.

Sounds like what that mom has is Medicaid for the baby. If she qualifies, she must meet the income requirements. Now if she was living in government housing and the bf was living with her, THAT would be illegal, and should be reported. It might be questionable that she is not getting married to keep the Medicaid, but in her position, it is probably the smartest thing to do. If they got married and couldn't afford insurance, the state would cover the kids anyway.

I think the key is being honest and up front about the situation like you were. I have absolutely NO problem with someone who's up front about their situation receiving benefits when they qualify. People need help from time to time - that's ok. That said, I think the system is absolutely broken - people can cheat the system and people who really need help many times can't get it.

 

[Hawk]

Simple Solution.

No job, on state benefits - the more children you have (while on state benefits) the less benefits you get. Sorry!

p.s. - this would not apply to no job as a result of layoff, workforce reduction, closed plant, death of spouse or disability or other similar unforeseen circumstances.

Tim/Hawk

 

[kelleyrn2000]

It does get frustrating for those of us who are blue collar workers struggling to pay medical bills to see someone abuse the system. My dd has alot of medical bills, and I have had to go back to work more hours than I'd like, to pay those bills. We have insurance, but it's not good insurance. To see that someone else may choose to not work and still be able to get their kids on the medical card, and not have to worry about the medical bills... That is frustrating. Medical bills are a huge stressor for alot of us.

 

[dfchelbay]

If your co-worker is the father of her babies, then he is in for a world of trouble at some later date. If he is on the birth certificate, listed as the father, and the state is paying the childrens' way, at some point in the future, when the state puts two and two together, they can and probably will come after him for being a dead beat dad. The state will come after him and his wages to reimburse the state for every penny they have paid out for those two children. When the state finds out his address is the same as hers, then she too will be in a world of trouble. Her trouble will be a criminal matter though. The state most likely will come after her for fraud. Somewhere she filled out paper work stating that she has no knowledge of the father's whereabouts and/or employment status and/or income.

Eventually, his wages will be garnished as child support for his two children and she will be charged with welfare fraud. All it takes is one child welfare worker to do a check on the file. Due to the new premie baby, and all the money being spent for the baby's medical bills, this may just be what red flags the state's file. Hopefully, a worker will look at the birth parents, names and addresses and put the pieces together and bust them both. She will have to file additional paperwork to get more money for the new baby...and she will, yet again, commit fraud when listing the father's information on all her new paperwork. She's looking at a felony if she's been doing this for a while.

Marriage has nothing to do with being legally financially responsible for one's children. This is the type of situation and fraud the welfare office loves to put and end to. They get a lot of anonymous calls turning in people for just this type of welfare fraud.

 

[southbarringtonjen]

Wow indeed. How anyone can live with themselves cheating the system is simply amazing. If they're living together and she does claim his income as part of her support and still qualifies for assistance - great - that's not cheating. But if she's living with him and he's paying for housing, food etc, then she needs to be honest about that and not be essentially stealing from those of us who ARE honest. I'm not sure how anyone could have a problem with that.

You seem to have the concept of unfair and cheating mixed up. This couple is playing by the rules. Is it unfair? Probably. Is it cheating? Definitely not. What about people who don't get married for tax reasons? Are they stealing from you too? No, they are following the laws and rules of the land. What about social security, I'm putting in way more than I will ever get back. Are the elderly all stealing from me too?

Politicians do things to benefit people at the expense of others every day. You must be a walking volcano of anger with all these dishonest people cheating you.

 

[EclecticWAHM]

You seem to have the concept of unfair and cheating mixed up. This couple is playing by the rules. Is it unfair? Probably. Is it cheating? Definitely not. What about people who don't get married for tax reasons? Are they stealing from you too? No, they are following the laws and rules of the land. What about social security, I'm putting in way more than I will ever get back. Are the elderly all stealing from me too?

Politicians do things to benefit people at the expense of others every day. You must be a walking volcano of anger with all these dishonest people cheating you.

LMAO - I think you're overestimating my emotional involvement. If they're following the rules, great. If not, they deserve whatever karma brings them. One thing is for sure - the rules need to be changed if they live together and his income isn't counted. It's morally reprehensible.

As for social security, we're all putting in more than we'll ever get out the way things are going and that sucks. I'm all for helping people who truly need help, but I think it's ridiculous for the rest of us to have to pay for others' poor choices or unwillingness to work.

 

[princessmom29]

If your co-worker is the father of her babies, then he is in for a world of trouble at some later date. If he is on the birth certificate, listed as the father, and the state is paying the childrens' way, at some point in the future, when the state puts two and two together, they can and probably will come after him for being a dead beat dad. The state will come after him and his wages to reimburse the state for every penny they have paid out for those two children. When the state finds out his address is the same as hers, then she too will be in a world of trouble. Her trouble will be a criminal matter though. The state most likely will come after her for fraud. Somewhere she filled out paper work stating that she has no knowledge of the father's whereabouts and/or employment status and/or income.

Eventually, his wages will be garnished as child support for his two children and she will be charged with welfare fraud. All it takes is one child welfare worker to do a check on the file. Due to the new premie baby, and all the money being spent for the baby's medical bills, this may just be what red flags the state's file. Hopefully, a worker will look at the birth parents, names and addresses and put the pieces together and bust them both. She will have to file additional paperwork to get more money for the new baby...and she will, yet again, commit fraud when listing the father's information on all her new paperwork. She's looking at a felony if she's been doing this for a while.

Marriage has nothing to do with being legally financially responsible for one's children. This is the type of situation and fraud the welfare office loves to put and end to. They get a lot of anonymous calls turning in people for just this type of welfare fraud.

You are exactly right. What she is doing, while not technically illegal, is cheating the system. He is a part of the household and should be reporting his income as such. He will be garnished if the state finds out, and if you are in a common law state that will eventually kick in and not reporting both incomes will become a legal issue. Not to mention the moral implications of taknig benefits you are not entitled to.

 

[princessmom29]

You seem to have the concept of unfair and cheating mixed up. This couple is playing by the rules. Is it unfair? Probably. Is it cheating? Definitely not. What about people who don't get married for tax reasons? Are they stealing from you too? No, they are following the laws and rules of the land. What about social security, I'm putting in way more than I will ever get back. Are the elderly all stealing from me too?

Politicians do things to benefit people at the expense of others every day. You must be a walking volcano of anger with all these dishonest people cheating you.

they are NOT playing by the rules, at least in my state. By now they would be common law husband and wife and legally required to report both incomes. As i understand it, in most states, if you maintain a household together you must report all household incomes, including minors earning income in the household.

 

[Leajess99]

Sooooo... only married people should have premies?

NOT what is being said. What is being said is that these people are scamming the system by living together, having kids together, and the woman getting welfare benefits by not claiming the man's income. It is wrong that this is allowed but I also know people who do this. It is the in thing for those not wanting to support their own kids. Just don't get married yet go ahead and have kids and let the taxpayers support them

 

[jayally]

Marriage has nothing to do with being legally financially responsible for one's children. This is the type of situation and fraud the welfare office loves to put and end to. They get a lot of anonymous calls turning in people for just this type of welfare fraud.

In a perfect world maybe, but the government and other state agencies are so overworked, overburdened, underpaid and really could care less (I have heard first hand they encourage people to lie) that the majority of people will never be caught. Mothers also do not put down the father on birth certificates so there is no one to go after. They learn from each other what to do to make the system work for them. While it may not be totally illegal as someone mentioned it is most certainly wrong and hopefully karma will someday catch up.

I am proud that I have been able to get my life back on track as a single mom and I work very hard to provide for my family but I struggle each month when the bills are due. This month the extra burden is property taxes and next month it is property Insurance and then DD needs braces. It never ends but I make it happen. It takes me years to save up for a vacation (& pay cash for it) and I often pass by things I would like because I am making responsible decisions.

There are many people that really do need help but it is meant to be temporary and help you get on your feet. Our society encourages people to stay at home and get paid by the state and they have no incentive to make a change.

 

[hffmnheidi]

I live in IL and applied for a medical card because of my medical bills(close to 1 million or over a million once everything is done) and they are dragging their feet on giving me one. I can't work because of said medicial condition and won't be going back to work until October of this year. I've been off since October 2009.

I was told by a previous case worker that you can't get a medical card in my state unless you're pregnant or disabled.

 

[EclecticWAHM]

I live in IL and applied for a medical card because of my medical bills(close to 1 million or over a million once everything is done) and they are dragging their feet on giving me one. I can't work because of said medicial condition and won't be going back to work until October of this year. I've been off since October 2009.

I was told by a previous case worker that you can't get a medical card in my state unless you're pregnant or disabled.

See - this is what gets me - if you have a medical condition which prevents you from working, even if it's for a year and hopefully not permanent, you SHOULD be able to get some kind of assistance. I'm sorry to hear about your troubles and I hope you heal up and can get back to work. I can't imagine how it would feel to have those kind of crushing medical bills.

My husband was out of work for six months due to injuries from a car accident where he was rear-ended and it was the other person's fault. We're having a heck of a time getting the insurance to pay what's owed to us - medical bills and lost wages. That's frustrating enough but man...if his medical costs were in the million area...wow. I just can't imagine how that must be. You've got my prayers!

 

[kelleyrn2000]

I live in IL and applied for a medical card because of my medical bills(close to 1 million or over a million once everything is done) and they are dragging their feet on giving me one. I can't work because of said medicial condition and won't be going back to work until October of this year. I've been off since October 2009.

I was told by a previous case worker that you can't get a medical card in my state unless you're pregnant or disabled.

That seems to be true. It doesn't matter if you are even a citizen of Illinois, or the USA. I have seem people who live in Michigan, Indiana, etc. come to Illinois for prenatal care. I have seen many from other countries come to Illinois for the same reason. It makes me wonder what they do in other states? Then again, our state is so far in debt we can't even pay our schools.

 

[dizneemom]

What I would like to know is how illegals get food stamps ect? It makes me angry also to be behind someone in the checkout line who has food stamps and then follow them to a brand new SUV. It makes me sick actually. My husband works for a large retailer and says that the the money goes in to peoples accounts who have a debit card for food stamps at midnight. His company needs extra staff on duty to handle all the people who are lined up to check out at midnight. They have multiple carts and most families have around $1000 on that card. He thinks most are probably illegals also and they all bring their kids with them-obviously no bedtime! Anyway, I just have never agreed with the whole concept of giving our aid to illegals when its hard for citizens to make ends meet.

 

[disneycruising]

I have seen people buying prime steaks and junk food on food stamps and it makes me so frustrated since I cannot afford them for my family. When they go to the parking lot with their carts brimming they jump into their extended cab Toyota Tacoma's or escalades with flashy rims. Many of the women I see standing in lines have manicured nails, fancy purses, nice clothes and draped in jewelry. Something is definately wrong with our society and it's no wonder we have the problems we do.

How do I say this delicately...

The women you see... do have a "job" that they get paid for! This is what pays for all the extra really nice things they have. The state money pays for all the things their children need...medical, food, etc.

 

[bumbershoot]

they are NOT playing by the rules, at least in my state. By now they would be common law husband and wife and legally required to report both incomes.

According to National Conference of State Legislatures:

Currently, only 9 states (Alabama, Colorado, Kansas, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Iowa, Montana, Oklahoma, and Texas) and the District of Columbia recognize common-law marriages contracted within their borders.

In addition, five states have "grandfathered" common law marriage (Georgia, Idaho, Ohio, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania) allowing those established before a certain date to be recognized.

New Hampshire recognizes common law marriage only for purposes of probate, and

Utah recognizes common law marriages only if they have been validated by a court or administrative order.

 

[Hannathy]

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.

with you 100%

My next question is why do they keep getting pregnant when they can't even pay for the ones they have....
Because we keep giving them more. Personal responsibility doesn't exist anymore.

 

[EclecticWAHM]

with you 100%

My next question is why do they keep getting pregnant when they can't even pay for the ones they have....
Because we keep giving them more. Personal responsibility doesn't exist anymore.

That's the million dollar question right there. I mean, unplanned pregnancy can happen to anyone. Birth control can fail. But then you see these people having kid after kid after kid after kid that they can't support on their own and you just have to wonder. But it's such a slippery slope...it's sure hard to consider regulating something like that because where does it stop? But I agree with you - personal responsibility seems to be at an all-time low these days.

I had a discussion just today with a friend who knows someone who's had numerous children by numerous men and hasn't been able to support any of them - some taken away and some willingly given for adoption. Seriously - has she figured out what causes these pregnancies? Birth control is easy to come by - it's too bad some folks don't take advantage of that!