Only assistance for those on welfare, if you work no help

[PridesnotPower]

My husband and I are not the type of people who prefer hand outs. At one point he was working two jobs there was one day a week where he would leave one job come home, shower and go right to the next. At this point I am willing to accept financial help if it is available. It seems there is none if you are earning any income at all. The only way you are given some type of help is if you recieve food stamps or cash benefits. Its like if you are trying to do something to take care of yourself and just want a little help for a short period of time there is nothing for you.

My husband and I have one income there is a daycare assistance program on my college campus and I do not qualify. There is a young girl under 21 she lives with the father of her child and he works, she qualifies. Obviously I dont know all the ins and outs of her life but legally she is a single mother but as far as I know she has the same amount of income streams I do, one.

There are other things like that that have happened. Then today I decide spring break to take my kids to the zoo in Houston and I see if you get food stamps or welfare you get in the zoo free.

[Macaela25]

You have to remember that a lot of people procure benefits dishonestly. They know the ins and outs of the system and do not report people who support them or live with them. I know of a woman specifically asked to be placed on part time at work to spend more time with her kids, then turned around and applied for and received unemployment due to loss of hours. She also receives subsidized child care, cash assistance, food stamps, WIC, and Medicaid because she claims that the father of the children is nonexistent (he lives in the home and makes good money). She essentially receives the equivalent of a full time job plus a good deal more for working part time hours because she lies.

I was told when I got married that I was stupid a) for getting married in the first place and b) for taking my DH's last name. I was told that once I had children I would not have to work by claiming the myriad of goverment benefits available to single, unemployed mothers.

Needless to say, I don't adhere to that philosophy. I'd rather be poor, married, and honest.

[Bonniem]

I could not agree with you more and have echoed your sentiments for years. I was never in the situation I am in now. I have always worked, when I got married, both my husband and I worked, even though we could have made it on one, I wanted to contribute to our income. I worked part time until the kids were a little older. Now, I am divorced, working 2 jobs, I have 2 teenage kids and barely making it. Some months I wonder how I do it. When I have extra money, I fear I have forgotten to pay a bill or something...It's crazy. But for someone like you or I, who is willing to work hard and TRY to make ends meet, there is no break. There is no assistance that I have found. I actually think I'd have more if I quit my job and let the goverment take care of me and my family. But I am not that person. I just wish there was a little financial assistance, like you say, just to give you some breathing room. I don't know how this could be done, but it sure would be nice.
Keep the faith sister, somehow, someway, things always work out.
That reminds me, I better check my lottery ticket... Maybe I can help both of us out!

[Smee]

I'm sorry. I hope someone knowledgeable can point you toward some useful resources. Aren't people able to get food stamps even if they work but their income is low or during temporary crises? Would food stamps not be helpful since the grocery budget could be freed up for other needs, or are you saying you don't qualify? I'm unsure if you're asking for input or just wanting to vent, but I wish you luck.

[PridesnotPower]

OH I dont mean to confuse. I am not looking for foodstamps. We have enough to eat. With me enrolling in college daycare costs were added and made things tighter. I dont qualify for any help with daycare.

[couponmommyof3]

I once knew someone who was married and both were working good jobs, not great but good in my opinion BUT she never changed her last name, I asked her why that was and she told me it was so she could still recieve government help! I was beside myself!

[pharrothead]

I'm sorry. I hope someone knowledgeable can point you toward some useful resources. Aren't people able to get food stamps even if they work but their income is low or during temporary crises? Would food stamps not be helpful since the grocery budget could be freed up for other needs, or are you saying you don't qualify? I'm unsure if you're asking for input or just wanting to vent, but I wish you luck.

It's all income based and honestly quite wonky depending, in my opinion on your caseworker.

Last year I was laid off for 6 weeks when PA didn't pass the budget. We were told they would be cutting medical for our children in order to make up some of the shortfall/cuts when we did get back to work. I applied for the medical card for DD, she qualified for it while I was laid off (by the time I actually received her card, I had been back at work all of about 2 days) they then bounced her off that and onto CHIP's (which is fine by me, I'm thankful it's there). They also told me I was eligible for..hold onto your hats... $16 a month in food stamps.

Now as an active couponer I can do a lot with $16. But imagine what people who don't are thinking.

Fast forward about 6 months. It was a conversation brought up at work and a single, male coworker with no children, making the same income was getting twice that. So I called my caseworker and inquired as to why that could be (I was grateful for what I had but of course I was going HUH?!?).

Here, somewhere in her calculations (I don't know HOW because my work provided my hourly wage, bimonthly, and yearly pay info. Sad really that we were all having to do this, and my boss didn't blink an eye). Got long winded..anyway in HER calculations I was make several dollars more PER HOUR than what I actually was.

New calculation, I could receive $93 a month in food stamps. Oh and NO we won't go back and provide the nearly $500 we oopsed your benefits the last 6 months.

I never in my life thought I'd be asking for help. But, it was a necessity that quickly drove me up a wall. They couldn't answer questions over the phone, EVER. I was told we need to mail you out x,y, and z forms. When you get those, fill them out, then call me (caseworker) and we have to set up an appointment. These was for any little question you had. I had never been on assistance, I had no clue how to work my ebt card. Thankfully a really sweet cashier explained it to me, quietly, without mortifying or demeaning me.

[CW&M Mom]

If this daycare assistance...is it coming from the University or the government?

FYI there really isn't Welfare any longer....but if it makes you feel better. My kids have been on and off medicaid for the last several years..and they didn't get to go to the zoo.

[motherofmolly]

if daycare is going to be too much...maybe cut your classes down one or two. i only take 2 classes as we dont want the extra cost of paying child care. and i pay cash for my classes and my books. and we dont get assistance.

[PridesnotPower]

Im doing a one year certificate program and I graduate in May. We will manage its just frustrating. i find out about a program to help and i never quality. But I did recive several hundred dolllars without even applying for it last semester. I have a 4.0 so it was awarded for academic achievement. My husband and I wil always provide for our babies.