to WIC or not to WIC

[TheWoman]

I am just starting this out in Hot Under the Collar because I figure it will get moved here eventually anyway.....

Due to a recent pay cut I now discovered that my family income is low enough to qualify for WIC for my 1 year old. So here is the question: should we apply for WIC or not? I can argue it both ways.

Yes! It is free food. We will now have to live on less money, so this will help us out a lot. We have been paying into the system for years and now it is our turn to benefit. I am homeschooling the older kids so they are costing the taxpayers MUCH less than all the other kids in the neighborhood, so I shouldn't feel guilty about taking some tax money to help out. Why shouldn't we get something too?

No! I don't NEED it. This is a big part of what is wrong with our country, people asking for handouts. I can feed my kids without WIC. I have a good stockpile, know how to stretch a dollar until it screams, and we bought our house back when prices were low. We shouldn't accept handouts from the government (taxpayers) when we can afford all the necessities of live and quite a few luxuries too. I wouldn't ask the neighbor to buy my daughter milk and cereal so why should I ask the tax payers to buy it? If our budget gets so tight that we can't buy enough food than I should get a job or have dh get a second job and take care of our kids ourselves.


Discuss. I will tell you what I decided after I hear what you all think.

[joshmamabear]

I would suggest for you to just do whatever is best for your situation. If you don't feel like doing it, don't. If you feel like you can use some extra money for other necessities, then do it.

Whatever is best for your family setting aside what you think/feel would be the way to go. IMO, of course :)

[TheWoman]

Oh, for the record I have already made a decision. I just don't want to skew the results by telling what I decided.

[carisal]

I personally was on WIC when pregnant with DD #1 up til she was about 6 months. after that I just didnt bother to go back for the recertification, and still havent gone back in for it, even though I am preg again....

Sure we could use the extra food/saved money but for me it is a hassle to go to the office and hope that the worker shows up. Ive gone 3 times for appointments or classes where I was sent away bc the person didnt show. *ugh!!!!*

. Just want to add that they do encourage the use of coupons to lower the cost of your foods bought with your WIC checks, and/or shopping during the sales to get the items for a lower price.

[Lucky1307]

I agree that you need to do what you are comfortable with. I was on it with my first DS. With DS 2 we qualified, but it was a 1/2 hour drive once a month to get the checks and not worth it to stand in the long lines. My sister recently began receiving it because she was no longer producing enough milk, her bf's job was cut by 15 hours a week and her mortage jumped over $100. She isn't comfortable with it but is something she feels she needs to do. As she says "I work 40+ hours a week and that is a hell of alot more than some other people I know." Point is do what you feel is right, but don't feel bad if you need that extra hand for awhile.

[maree_strawberry]

Your family pays taxes.
Taxes help pay for the WIC program, and Government paychecks, too.
This would not be a handout.

[cundiff2001]

I am curious to see answers to this as well as I have found us in the exact same situation. I know we will qualify, but I feel guilty about taking it as we can make do without it. BUT, later we may not be able to and saving that little bit of money now will make a big difference if we are in this situation in six months.

[meggers]

No. I don't believe you should if you don't need it.

[stelena]

There is a reason when they say, "if you make this... much then you qulaify and if you make this...much then you don't" They set the limits for your qualification. If you have a debt, pay it off and use WIC to help you out. If you do not need it then do not bother.

[Ruddysgirl]

If you are in need, apply for it. Once you no longer need it stop it.

That is the way this and other government programs are suppose to work. It is not suppose to be a life time commitment to have the government support you or supply your family's needs. I have had to apply for assistance and it is not the funnest thing to do, but I needed it at that time used it until I was able to stand on my own and stopped it. It all depends on what your family's needs are. If you do not need it don't apply for it.