Staying single to collect welfare benefits

[blanq]

That may be true for where you live. You may have 3 or 4 different supermarket to shop at, you may also have Walmart or a Super Target. But in most poorer neighborhoods, they are lucky if there is one supermarket. And they don't double coupons, have loss leaders, etc. It's harder to find bargains under those conditions.

You are very smart to point this out. I have received actual training on poverty and people who live in poverty. One thing that really stuck in my mind was when I learned about how difficult it is in urban areas (especially inner city areas) to buy affordable food. In the suburbs, we have big box stores we can go to to get lower priced food and we have lots of variety. In some areas of this country, people are limited to bus transportation, or their own two feet, and often purchase their food at gas stations, or small shops in the inner city where the cost of food is significantly higher. They also purchase smaller quantities of food, so they can schlep it on the bus or walk home with it. They have eroded purchasing power as a result.

 

[lovin diz]

I agree. I spend right at or more than $600 a month for 3 of us (with 2-3 more eating with us a few times a month). My grocery bill is very rarely below $120 per week and usually closer to $180 and even then I have to stop and pick up bread, milk or something else I have forgotten. I do not buy steak, shrimp or any thing of the like either. We had steak Easter weekend and that was the first time since last summer.

One has to remember that staying within a budget also takes being taught and learning good habits. Not everyone that received food stamps is going to just automaticaly know how to do that nor will they automatically know the cheapest way to cook something.

There are 3 of us and the most i spend in a month is about $300

 

[Darsa]

This is why i dont understand why you are not upset...(i think it was you??)

With what you are going through doesnt it make up angry that if you applied for help you would be denied...when you seem to really need it--but there are people milking the system to get all they can by lying about things???

It does upset me that some people cheat and lie to get out of having to actually work for a living, to be sure. The thing that upsets me is that people generalize and assume that everyone places more importance in their cable/internet/cars/vacations than in their ability to pay for health insurance. It's the generalization that REALLY gets me; it basically puts me in the same classification as my in-laws who do these things that I despise, and I will not stand for that because I am NOT like her.

It does make me angry that I *would* be denied assistance if I were to apply, but I do the best with what hand I've been dealt, and we're working hard to improve that hand.

 

[lillygator]

but don't you think if the person has cable/internet/cars/vacations and no insurance that their priority is not insurance? (again, not talking about the people who are denied coverage, just people who have access to it but chose not too as it is too expensive)

 

[mickeylove2]

The maximum food stamp allotment for a family of 4 is $668 (I might be off by a few dollars, because I think it changed with the stimulus package, but this was right as of early 2009). That's about 1.85 per person, per meal - not "high on the hog" by any means.

That may be where you live, but around here, it's $220 a month per person. And yes, a single adult male or female with no children can get food stamps!

I would have no problem with the food stamp program, if it was run a little more strictly...like running a finger scan to use the card. I've seen too many people use their Independence cards to buy drugs, they give their card and pin to the dealer who then gives it to his gf, $50 worth of drugs for $100 in groceries to the drug dealers family, a lot of times the people that you see pulling up in an Escalde using food stamps are doing that. Hey, the drug dealer and their kids make out! It makes me sick!!!

My DDs school lunch program is run on a finger scan, and they are elementary age, why can't adults on the food stamp program be required to do the same thing??? I'm sure it wouldn't matter, they would just pick the groceries up themselves, but it would make it a bit more difficult don't you think, so maybe they would be deterred from doing it.

 

[lovin diz]

I am linking this article...Our state legislative session is going on...This bill didnt even make it out of committee...WHY??

What is the problem with being drug tested before you receive help? IT will cut out some of the people abusing the system???

People around here know that most people here on assistance abuse the system...

http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=12271603

 

[luvsJack]

There are 3 of us and the most i spend in a month is about $300

Not sure what makes the difference. I cook some "from scratch" and some "convience" meals. Breakfast is usually fiber bars and/or instant oatmeal and cereal and fruit for dd. Meat is usually boneless, skinless chicken breast or extra lean ground beef, pork chops once or twice a month and occaisionally beef roast. I do buy a LOT of fresh fruits and veggies. Added to this dh buys a lot of canned items to keep in the truck (18 wheeler) to cut costs on the road. The only other thing I really buy is I keep baby food and baby snack items stocked for when dgd comes over and I keep things like frozen pizza or corn dogs and hamburger patties for when dd's friends come over or ds and dil come over to play video games with dd.

I shop at Walmart and ad match with the local stores. I do not use coupons because I rarely buy name brands. If I find a coupon on a brand that I do use, I will use that.

When my sons were teens and I cooked really "stick to your ribs" type of meals, my bill stayed around $100 per week. Lots of red beans and rice, chicken with creamy noodles, chicken pot pie and that kind of stuff. Dd and I tend to eat lighter foods (like grilled chicken, grilled asparagus, onions and pineapple, green salad) but it seems to be more expensive, when Dh is home its more of the old kind of stuff (he likes good old country cookin' )

 

[blanq]

I am linking this article...Our state legislative session is going on...This bill didnt even make it out of committee...WHY??

What is the problem with being drug tested before you receive help? IT will cut out some of the people abusing the system???

People around here know that most people here on assistance abuse the system...

http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=12271603

Why? Well the answer can be found in the article. 1) the bill was controversial, 2) opponents labeled it unconstitutional because it targeted a specific group of people and 3) the cost to taxpayers was estimated at half a million dollars a year. The reasons it failed seem to make sense to me.

The costs of "welfare" are complained about all the time, and yes, those costs are significant, but why does it seem that those who don't like the system, and often seem to not like government spending on welfare to begin with (and, yes, I realize I am generalizing) think the solution is something like this crazy proposal. Let's just add a new department to the Louisiana government so people can line up and pee in a cup, and the taxpayers can pay 500,000 for it. It's like those who want a system to determine what foods are "okay" for those on food stamps to buy (tomatoes are fine, kool-aid, not so much). These kinds of ideas just add more layers to government, and provide more opportunities to cheat the system people are whining about to begin with. Do I like the idea that some of my tax dollars are being snorted up someone's nose instead of being spent to buy tennis shoes for their kids? Uh, no. But proposals such as this one seem nuts to me.

 

[lovin diz]

Why? Well the answer can be found in the article. 1) the bill was controversial, 2) opponents labeled it unconstitutional because it targeted a specific group of people and 3) the cost to taxpayers was estimated at half a million dollars a year. The reasons it failed seem to make sense to me.

The costs of "welfare" are complained about all the time, and yes, those costs are significant, but why does it seem that those who don't like the system, and often seem to not like government spending on welfare to begin with (and, yes, I realize I am generalizing) think the solution is something like this crazy proposal. Let's just add a new department to the Louisiana government so people can line up and pee in a cup, and the taxpayers can pay 500,000 for it. It's like those who want a system to determine what foods are "okay" for those on food stamps to buy (tomatoes are fine, kool-aid, not so much). These kinds of ideas just add more layers to government, and provide more opportunities to cheat the system people are whining about to begin with. Do I like the idea that some of my tax dollars are being snorted up someone's nose instead of being spent to buy tennis shoes for their kids? Uh, no. But proposals such as this one seem nuts to me.

1. yes sure controversial,, people on welfare are complaining....
2. opponents--sure, the opponents are the ones who are in the poor districts...They just want their vote.

3. it might cost a little more at first, but we would save $$--b/c their wouldnt be so much abuse

btw, people are drug tested all the time at their place of employment....

 

[luvsJack]

but don't you think if the person has cable/internet/cars/vacations and no insurance that their priority is not insurance? (again, not talking about the people who are denied coverage, just people who have access to it but chose not too as it is too expensive)

For some people the internet is a necessity (online classes for instance) and for some its not. Cable and vacations, of course, are not but your cable can be tied into your phone line and/or internet so just having it doesn't mean you are exactly wasting money on it. Cars are kind of a tricky thing. You don't have to have an expensive car but most people, at least in my neck of the woods, do have to have some kind of car.

Over all, if you have anything except food, shelter and clothing and don't have insuraance; then I guess insurance is not a priority. And I know that for some people (because I have had discussions with them here ) insurance should come before shelter but I, personally, don't see it that way.

 

[sbell111]

People around here know that most people here on assistance abuse the system...

Who are these 'people'?
How do they 'know'?

 

[Darsa]

but don't you think if the person has cable/internet/cars/vacations and no insurance that their priority is not insurance? (again, not talking about the people who are denied coverage, just people who have access to it but chose not too as it is too expensive)
__________________

Absolutely! The thing I don't like is the generalization that just because insurance is available to me and my family, that I should be able to make changes to be able to afford it. I defy anyone to live on under $0 a month. Yes, that's under zero. No dollars. None. In fact, I defy anyone to go to the grocery store and buy groceries on minus $200 a month. Yes, that's LESS THAN NO MONEY. UNDER NONE. How, please tell me, can I work that into my budget?

It probably wouldn't bother me so much, but the post IMMEDIATELY after my post (complaining that I had to pay in $200 more than my WHOLE PAYCHECK while my in law gets all medical/dental/vision care for free because she's lazy) someone posted that I should be able to work it into my budget if I just cut out all my "luxuries" that I don't have. (okay, I typed a lot more here, but deleted out that ranting, because I'm getting too angry)

 

[shrubber]

Absolutely! The thing I don't like is the generalization that just because insurance is available to me and my family, that I should be able to make changes to be able to afford it. I defy anyone to live on under $0 a month. Yes, that's under zero. No dollars. None. In fact, I defy anyone to go to the grocery store and buy groceries on minus $200 a month. Yes, that's LESS THAN NO MONEY. UNDER NONE. How, please tell me, can I work that into my budget?

It probably wouldn't bother me so much, but the post IMMEDIATELY after my post (complaining that I had to pay in $200 more than my WHOLE PAYCHECK while my in law gets all medical/dental/vision care for free because she's lazy) someone posted that I should be able to work it into my budget if I just cut out all my "luxuries" that I don't have. (okay, I typed a lot more here, but deleted out that ranting, because I'm getting too angry)

You did say you were spending money every month on a gym memebership didn't you? Perhaps there is room in your budget

 

[Darsa]

You did say you were spending money every month on a gym memebership didn't you? Perhaps there is room in your budget

OH MY GOODNESS

I spend $10 a month on a gym membership as I said, yes. I had been trying to lose weight to be able to be eligible to be a live liver donor and save my mother's live, which incidentally did not work, she died. I still pay $10 a month, yes; mom died on 3/25, fourteen days ago, so yes, my membership is still valid. If I cancel my membership, I have to pay a $59 fee.

Can you please tell me where you are getting medical/dental/vision insurance for your family for $10 a month? I would like to sign up.

I cannot believe I'm being given this crap because I chose to blow $10 a month to go to the gym to try to save my mom, rather than go running outside in Maine in the winter. I cannot believe that you are being so completely judgemental of me, and I take great offense to that, and your assumptions.

 

[shrubber]

OH MY GOODNESS

I spend $10 a month on a gym membership as I said, yes. I had been trying to lose weight to be able to be eligible to be a live liver donor and save my mother's live, which incidentally did not work, she died. I still pay $10 a month, yes; mom died on 3/25, fourteen days ago, so yes, my membership is still valid. If I cancel my membership, I have to pay a $59 fee.

Can you please tell me where you are getting medical/dental/vision insurance for your family for $10 a month? I would like to sign up.

I cannot believe I'm being given this crap because I chose to blow $10 a month to go to the gym to try to save my mom, rather than go running outside in Maine in the winter. I cannot believe that you are being so completely judgemental of me, and I take great offense to that, and your assumptions.

Very sorry to hear about your Mother. Perhaps you could seek out a financial consultant to help you with your budgeting issues?

 

[shrubber]

OH MY GOODNESS

.

Can you please tell me where you are getting medical/dental/vision insurance for your family for $10 a month? I would like to sign up.

:

You could start here.
Dental insurance for around 10 bucks a month.......
http://truedentaldiscounts.com/index.asp?OVKEY=dental plans g&gclid=CJuDsoLi96ACFSJ25Qod9igVwg

 

[Darsa]

LOL, seriously? Can you tell me how someone can help me budget less than zero dollars a month? If I get my family on insurance, I will have LESS THAN NO MONEY.

Oh, why am I trying, you're obviously not reading all of what I'm saying.

Thank you for your sympathy.

 

[lovin diz]

Who are these 'people'?
How do they 'know'?

Alot of people "woke up" when they saw the abuse during katrina...People were arrested for abusing the system...(I am not talking about the poor people whose house was totally underwater in new orleans) i am talking about people who have jobs who wanted to buy a chainsaw, and a generator...Our state gov was giving vouchers for free...These people didnt even have any damage...but the state should pay for it...Then they were giving out checks...Blockbuster cashed the checks...b/c people were so depressed, they needed entertainment in their lives at the time.....Please--give me a break!!!

 

[blanq]

Who are these 'people'?
How do they 'know'?

It must be the people that God gave a "welfare cheat sniffer" chip. I got left out of the deal; I am totally missing that chip.

 

[luvsJack]

Alot of people "woke up" when they saw the abuse during katrina...People were arrested for abusing the system...(I am not talking about the poor people whose house was totally underwater in new orleans) i am talking about people who have jobs who wanted to buy a chainsaw, and a generator...Our state gov was giving vouchers for free...These people didnt even have any damage...but the state should pay for it...Then they were giving out checks...Blockbuster cashed the checks...b/c people were so depressed, they needed entertainment in their lives at the time.....Please--give me a break!!!

I don't think you can really compare the mayhem after Katrina to who all is cheating the welfare system. A lot of people that would NEVER qualify for any kind of assistance were getting every thing they could after Katrina. I know at least 2 people here that are still making money off Katrina. The state and federal governement was trying to get money and vouchers out as quickly as possible to the people that needed it and in the process didn't have time or manpower to double check on this stuff. FEMA started sending out checks willy nilly to people, so several people that had NO damage got checks then the checks stopped being so easy to get and some folks that lost their homes got NO check.

Here EBT cards were given to everyone in certain counties made no difference whether you lost food or not nor did it matter if you needed it or not. Some people were given vouchers for chain saws and generators. We had trees all over our yard and house, we didn't get one (I don't fault the people who did) and we were without lights for 6 weeks, we missed out on the generators too The Red Cross sent out checks for like $500 or some such, again, we were at the tail in of applying and didn't receive anything.

What happened after Katrina wasn't so much people cheating the governement as the government (state and federal) and other organizations not knowing what the heck to do to get the most help to the people who needed it.