Staying single to collect welfare benefits

[Darsa]

Lazy bums? Are you suggesting that all of those who make minimum wage or a lower salary than you are lazy?

I truly don't think (I hope!) that that's what Art 1 meant; I'm guessing it was referring to those who choose not to work and instead live off the government, then collect thousands at tax time because of the credits available to them. I believe I mentioned that I'm related to someone like this, by marriage.

 

[ssawka]

I realize that the culture of poverty is a powerful thing, but don't you think that something needs to be done to change that, and to give people the skills to get out?

I agree that something must be done, let's start by placing tarrifs on all imported goods to encourage businesses to bring jobs back to the U.S. After all, they are sucking off the system by being headquartered here but having all of there operations offshore and not having to claim profits in this country and then are given tax cuts on top of it. Also, if the businesses show a loss, we taxpayers are asked to bail them out. How come not as many people complain about corporate welfare as they do about individual welfare?

 

[Colleen27]

I truly don't think (I hope!) that that's what Art 1 meant; I'm guessing it was referring to those who choose not to work and instead live off the government, then collect thousands at tax time because of the credits available to them. I believe I mentioned that I'm related to someone like this, by marriage.

For the most part, those aren't the people collecting thousands at tax time though. The EITC is specific to returns with EARNED income; one does have to work to receive it, and those receiving the most are the ones making about $8/hour full time. Yes, they get back far more than they paid in, but I don't think working full time for a low wage is "lazy".

 

[luvsJack]

I believe some of the talk comes from people who DO deal with this on a daily basis...whether they work in OB GYN offices, grocery stores where people sell their food stamps, or people who are even family members who brag about "working the system". I don't think pie charts, graphs etc are really necessary to know that the system is flawed and there ARE people who abuse the system. I can have an opinion and talk smack when people are using MY tax dollars and I don't need a pie chart/data spreadsheet to prove anything. What we are referring to is not simply "hearsay".

And there are those of us on the other side that also deal with it on a daily basis and there are some that have lived in it and/or are living in it that don't believe the majority of recipients are cheating anything. Are their people cheating or "working" the system? Yes. But there are many more who need the system. And it doesn't take a pie chart to see that, either.

There needs to be changes made, I am in full agreement; but these need to be positive changes in the system and within the lives of the people living within the system. If we don't make positive changes in their lives, their children will not know a different way of life and the circle will continue.

 

[luvsJack]

For the most part, those aren't the people collecting thousands at tax time though. The EITC is specific to returns with EARNED income; one does have to work to receive it, and those receiving the most are the ones making about $8/hour full time. Yes, they get back far more than they paid in, but I don't think working full time for a low wage is "lazy".

You are completely correct, this is just another one of those urban legends about money people get from the government.

I have been on the low end of the income scale and receiving EIC. It SUCKS!! Sure, you get that one check for the year. Yippee! The rest of the year you are making waaaaayyyyy below the poverty level and don't have a pot to . . . . well, you know. By the time I got the thing, my kids were in such need of clothes and shoes and we needed so many household items that I can assure everyone that not one dime of it was spent on "fun".

And, incidently, I worked two jobs at the time so no I wasn't lazy and was far from sitting at home and getting that one lousy check.

 

[princessmom29]

I agree that something must be done, let's start by placing tarrifs on all imported goods to encourage businesses to bring jobs back to the U.S. After all, they are sucking off the system by being headquartered here but having all of there operations offshore and not having to claim profits in this country and then are given tax cuts on top of it. Also, if the businesses show a loss, we taxpayers are asked to bail them out. How come not as many people complain about corporate welfare as they do about individual welfare?

Oh, I have my opinions on coperate welfare as well. I will NEVER buy anothe GM vehicle.

You are completely correct, this is just another one of those urban legends about money people get from the government.

I have been on the low end of the income scale and receiving EIC. It SUCKS!! Sure, you get that one check for the year. Yippee! The rest of the year you are making waaaaayyyyy below the poverty level and don't have a pot to . . . . well, you know. By the time I got the thing, my kids were in such need of clothes and shoes and we needed so many household items that I can assure everyone that not one dime of it was spent on "fun".

And, incidently, I worked two jobs at the time so no I wasn't lazy and was far from sitting at home and getting that one lousy check.

You can however get more back in taxes than you paid in originally. My cousin is living proff of that. They got back $8000, only paid in about $4000, and a CPA did their taxes!

 

[stashbin]

You can however get more back in taxes than you paid in originally. My cousin is living proff of that. They got back $8000, only paid in about $4000, and a CPA did their taxes!

I agree. My neighbor's brother got back 8 grand and didn't bring in half of that throughout the year. He and his CLW have never been married and have 2 children together. Neither work regular jobs, and when they do work it is usually under the table.

This aggrivates me because I work 2 jobs and my DH works 3 jobs and we owed money until we had an accountant crunch some numbers for us. (Let me say that I am more angry about it because I know these people and they are able bodied but just lazy).

 

[torinsmom]

My sister and her husband are getting back more than they paid in this year. She was unemployed most of last year(after never being out of work in the last 25 years) and her husband lost his job as well. So this does happen to regular people sometimes. Probably is happening to more and more people these days.

 

[luvsJack]

Oh, I have my opinions on coperate welfare as well. I will NEVER buy anothe GM vehicle.


You can however get more back in taxes than you paid in originally. My cousin is living proff of that. They got back $8000, only paid in about $4000, and a CPA did their taxes![/QUOTE]

Yes you can. I got back quite a bit more than I paid in with EIC and two kids. My point is that at that low of an income, its not this wonderful thing that is bringing people out of poverty or some such nonsence. Many, many people that qualify for EIC are making such a low income that there is no way in hades that one check is going to make much of a difference.

I would have traded places in a hearbeat with the people that paid in taxes instead of getting back that check. I would much rather have enough money to live on through out the rest of the year.

 

[BellvilleDad]

Oh, I have my opinions on coperate welfare as well. I will NEVER buy another GM vehicle.

Hear, hear!

 

[princessmom29]

Oh, I have my opinions on coperate welfare as well. I will NEVER buy anothe GM vehicle.


You can however get more back in taxes than you paid in originally. My cousin is living proff of that. They got back $8000, only paid in about $4000, and a CPA did their taxes![/QUOTE]

Yes you can. I got back quite a bit more than I paid in with EIC and two kids. My point is that at that low of an income, its not this wonderful thing that is bringing people out of poverty or some such nonsence. Many, many people that qualify for EIC are making such a low income that there is no way in hades that one check is going to make much of a difference.

I would have traded places in a hearbeat with the people that paid in taxes instead of getting back that check. I would much rather have enough money to live on through out the rest of the year.

I wasn't making a value judgment, just pointing out that it is possible to get more back than you paid in.

 

[luvsJack]

I wasn't making a value judgment, just pointing out that it is possible to get more back than you paid in.

 

[ssawka]

My sister and her husband are getting back more than they paid in this year. She was unemployed most of last year(after never being out of work in the last 25 years) and her husband lost his job as well. So this does happen to regular people sometimes. Probably is happening to more and more people these days.

I really don't see a problem with this. For 25 years, they contributed to society and paid there taxes. I really don't think it is a bad thing for Uncle Sam to cut them a break when they are down on their luck. Besides, they most likely were paying for things from the previous years income, so if it is a tax deductible item, why shouldn't they get it back regardless of how much they made this year. If you want to eliminate the ability to get more back than you pay, get rid of deductions and go to a flat percentage tax.

 

[lillygator]

Heh heh, now I *know* that this was directed towards me, thank you for confirming what I already knew And thanks for being so completely judgemental regarding my past history as opposed to my current situation, and not knowing who paid for what in my life. And well done adding things like DL and such in there to kinda throw it off and make it look more generalized.

I would just like to throw out a thank you so much to my parents for helping me as much as they have; I can only hope that I'll be able to help my dad as much as they've helped me in the upcoming years.



Wow, really? I guess maybe I *should* tell my dad where he should and shouldn't spend his money. After all, I only live in his house, what right does that give HIM to spend HIS money where he wants to? Given that he's been paying for DD's dance since she began, and it's one of the few things in his life that makes him truly happy, seeing his only living granddaughter dancing...

My company pays completely for you yourself if you want insurance through them; they even pay you $25 a week if you DON'T take insurance through them. Unfortunately adding anyone to your policy really kicks your behind. So yeah, I'm the only one in the family who really doesn't need the insurance, yet here I am, insured.

Nice that you added the "sarcasm" to the eta info...nothing new there folks! No, it wasn't directed to you, it's all over the boards and not just insurance reasons, the budget board is full of them...."how do I get out of this debt" then later post about "which resort Poly or GF"...


No you "shouldn't" tell your dad where to spend his money but don't you think if something were to happen to your dd and insurance was a factor your dad would much rather her health be taken care of instead of the monthly dance bill?? What if she gets hurt at dance?

 

[wvjules]

I can't wrap my head around the fact that employer sponsored health insurance costs thousands of dollars a month for a family of 3.

 

[lillygator]

I can't wrap my head around the fact that employer sponsored health insurance costs thousands of dollars a month for a family of 3.

no me either. What some of these folks are posting seems very inflated.

 

[clutter]

I can't wrap my head around the fact that employer sponsored health insurance costs thousands of dollars a month for a family of 3.

My employer has been paying 1200 - 1300/month for insurance for a family. Doesn't matter if it's 3 or 18, its the same price. Granted, it's a premium plan, but that doesn't include drug coverage. That's paid separately! For employer-provided coverage, that's a pretty typical price in our area.

 

[lillygator]

My employer has been paying 1200 - 1300/month for insurance for a family. Doesn't matter if it's 3 or 18, its the same price. Granted, it's a premium plan, but that doesn't include drug coverage. That's paid separately! For employer-provided coverage, that's a pretty typical price in our area.

I thought they were meaning the employees cost - for their portion. The company usually takes the brunt of the cost...I still can't believe an employee's portion would be thousands a month.

 

[gina2000]

no me either. What some of these folks are posting seems very inflated.

I pay $1400/mo. for my husband and son. I pay about $20/mo for me.

Health insurance is through the roof. Should I lose my job, we will look at catastrophic insurance.

 

[princessmom29]

My employer pays about $800 a month toward my family's healthcare. I pay $130 a month. It is a premium BCBS plan. $20 copay, $3 per test run, $100 per hospitalization, $5 generics, up to $50 for name brand drugs. No deductable and pays 100% outside the above costs.