I'm really upset right now! My friend that is married with one child....cannot get any type of financial or medical assistance. She was told her husband makes 2 bucks more a MONTH than allowed....so they don't qualify for food stamps. She is also not eligible for Medicaid and was told that if she wasn't married...she could get assistance. Why is it that people that are trying to live honest and live right.....get the short end of the stick?
130783
That blows.  So many people scam the system and the working folks who just need a little help get screwed.
435577
You would need to contact your local department of health and welfare.  Some states will only consider your income, others consider income for the entire household.  Also, in some states, if you receive child support, they can require you to forfeit that to them for the food stamps (that's how it is in my state).  It all depends on how many people are in the household and the state's guidelines for poverty levels.
508051
this really p's me off to read something like this...my husband died from a heart attack this summer,still fighting disability.and he wasn't fat or obese,and did what he could to help out with the bills..mowing a yard killed him..you need to stop thinkin about yourself,and freeloadin off the government..so what if ya don't like your job..that's why it's called a job!!and if your wife had any sense,she'd leave you anyway.."my other girlfriend"..you are the "types"that make it hard for people who do need the help,to get it...grow up...tough it out,and get a job..i have to work 2 of them now,being a single widowed mother...people like you make me SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
303126
I am for neither, I am 45 yrs of age, it seems to me that this Country is in some serious Crap. We/USA are always more concerned with other Countries and their well being. The USA is not taking care of their own people first, as they should be. We have many, many people in our own country that is homeless, going hungry, etc. Yes there are a few programs out there that are trying to help, but come on, all that food and medical that other Countries are getting, why not give it to our country first where it is so desperately needed. Medical in the USA is crazy, I have to work 2 jobs at 32 hours a week for each, yes i am correct here on the hours, i get very little sleep and am getting burned out. just so i can have medical, one medical plan does not cover what i would like it to, so i have to have another medical plan to try and make up for the first one. Now how crazy is that? You asked me whom I am standing up for? believe in? well no one has earned my belief yet. I hope the future changes that.
25144
People have to provide documentation for their income, expenses, family size, etc in order to qualify for food stamps. When you apply for food stamps, you have to sign a paper that gives the agency permission to talk to employers, neighbors, etc about your personal business. People do commit fraud, but don't assume that the people you see out doing their shopping are crooks. There may be a lot you don't see.\n\nThere could be a lot of people in a household sharing that one, nice car. Or they could be getting a ride with a friend. They could have purchased their clothes at a second-hand shop or been given the clothes as gifts or hand-me-downs. Or that could be one of their few nice outfits. \n\nThey might be out paying their bills and doing their shopping for the month and they have to deal with everyone from the checker to the guy behind them in line judging them for needing help. I don't blame them for trying to look good.  \n\nMy family has been on foodstamps before. We don't and never have dressed to the nines. We've never owned a new car. If we had a wad of cash, I can promise you there were more places for the cash than there was cash. My husband was working full time, but he didn't have a good-paying job. Good jobs are hard to find and getting harder. \n\nYou know who I get mad at about my tax money being wasted? The big corporations like Walmart that have huge profits but pay their employees wages so low that even with two people working full-time, their families *qualify* and *need* food stamps and medicaid to survive. They should pay their workers enough to live on and should provide reasonable medical insurance, but they don't. They'd rather let the taxpayers do it.
259470
Emily, I have just been there. Get state aid, that's what will keep your little raft a floatin'. Use your yellow pages to first get medicaid, if you are unsure how to apply for medicaid, go to your nearest hospital and ask for a patient financial representative. Tell them that you need their help, so in case, medically speaking, you will be prepared. Once you  have applied for medicaid, you should be asking your caseworker (call all your medicaid numbers, I mean it's not like you have a schedule, find out who your case worker is, don't EVER be rude, this only gets you to the bottom of her papers) Also, go to church...ask them where you can find food pantries. You may have to make some tough decisions regarding things of value that can be sold. This is a good time to use gold necklaces for cash, because baby can't digest them, and NOTHING should be more sentimental than your babies eating. Also call ALL your creditors, tell them what the deal is. They maybe able to put a low-interest pay off status until he gets a job again. Don't give up, I know it's hard....I KNOW!
153795
I am currently able to pay my bills, however I lived many years under the poverty level while both myself and my husband worked fulltime jobs. I understand completely the horrid feeling of not having enough money to put food on the table of make a rent payment some months. Most months I would have to "borrow" from my father. I did not have the ability to pay my father back, so I now have been "gifted" those amounts. I was lucky to have a father who could help out in such desperate times of need. However, we also did not have health insurance, and my husband became disabled. We racked up lots of medical bills we just could not pay at that time. \n\nThe bill collectors began calling at all hours of the day and night. They would leave harrassing phone calls on the anwering system. This was before there was law stopping such behaviors. They would say such horridly hurtfull and plain mean statements, calling us deadbeats, irresponsible, theives, corrupt people who did not think we had the same responsibility to pay our debts others in soceity did. That we were bad people and lazy, to get jobs and be responsible adults who did not take advantage of others and deprive them of their rightfull payments. That saying we need to feed and house our children was not an excuse as those we were not paying had families too, and by not paying we were taking the food and housing away from their families. (which was not true as these folks make massive amount of money, but that is not a reason to not pay, they still deserve payment for services rendered like anyone else). Basically these phone calls became so harrassing I had to unplug my phone.\n\nI think you should not answer these calls. You already know your financial condition far better than those bill collectors. They do not care about you or your family, they do not give a darn about whether or not your children will still be able to eat if you bow to their rediculous demands. So, stop answering the phone and trying to explain your situation. They do not care and will only argue with you and basically make your life much more stressfull than it is now. \n\nThere are thirty million families in America currently living under the poverty level. The vast majority of these families have two working parents who are both receiving minimum wage for their labor. Most of these families do not have health insurance and are an illness or injury away from losing everything. \n\nThere is such a misconception of our working poor. Many think it is a simple matter of going out and finding a better paying job, or obtaining more education and them obtaining a higher paying job with benifits. Many think these people are willing to stay in the state they are currently in due to lack of drive to acheive more. \n\nThe truth of the matter is this: Currently a family of two fulltime employed parents working minimum wage jobs spend one fith of their income on just the gas they need in their car each month. A study which was aired recently on an Operah show demonstrated that out of a weeks pay it takes working one full day to pay for the weekly gas for the one car owned. If they are lucky enough to own a car. That is one fith of earnings. \n\nCurrently, we are not suppose to pay more than one third of our monthly income on the major expense of rent and utilities, yet it requires one fith of income to put gas in the family car! \n\nFederal minimum wage is currently $5.15. With both parents working 40 hour weeks that is a gross income of $1,468.00 monthly! Currently rent alone in my area is an average $900.00. That is 61% of the family monthly income. This figuare does not include utilities, food, clothing or medical expreses, or the gas and maintanence for the car! \n\nMany families are forced into sharing living quarters. They have to either move in with family or share the rent with another family just to make it. In a society which prizes self suffencency, we do not have a system in place whic
234893
Some are unable to work.  How is a woman with 3 kids supposed to go out and volunteer when she can't afford daycare?  its a good idea but would run into too many pitfalls.  And "welfare" has checks and balances to make sure you are looking for work.  Have you ever been on "welfare?" its not a happy place.  And not all "welfare" people are lazy either that is a bigotistical remark\n\nGood for you for working 3 jobs to keep your family off of welfare, however if you were to lose your wife and have to take care of your children by yourself 3 jobs would not be possible.  Not everyone has family and if they do often they are in the same boat. childcare assistance is only available for the dirt poor, once you think you are almost looking at getting somewhere, they cut you off and you can no longer afford daycare which means you can no longer work.  not everyone who is on welfare doesn't work.  the majority of people on welfare are working but unfortunately don't get paid enough.  People would rather work than not.  it is very hard to not work and not feed your family you feel horrible and useless and like scum.\nAnd daycare assistance is not available for people who are "volunteering".  i'd like to know why everyone thinks people on "welfare" (by the way its not even called welfare anymore, atleast not in wisconsin) are lazy.  its very stereotypical and definately not the truth\n\nand here in wisconsin we have mandatory work placement/jobsearch programs in place.  why don't you people take a look into the system instead of assuming and believing stereotypes?
426616
I know a couple of people who are on welfare or who have been on welfare and only 1 in 10 takes advantage. Why then punish the 9? Who are hard working single mothers? Mothers who need welfare to supplement their income. Mothers who work 10 + hours a day? I'm assuming that you've never had to ask for help because you wouldn't be on the sidelines tiffing about it. How cruel some people can be to another they don't even know. My granny depends on welfare to help her buy groceries. How dare you put your uppity nose down at people who aren't as privileged as you! Lastly welfare feeds children. So what if that one is lazy and doesn't want to work, should their children go hungry and homeless? What would you have the state do? Put those children in foster care? That system is already full and they can't keep enough homes available. I'm sickened by the lack of humanity that these answers have. THE NEED FOR WELFARE IS GOING UP BECAUSE THE GAP BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR IS GETTING BIGGER!
166480
Yes there is..It's called wellfare help..sounds awful i know..but this is about supporting your 3 kids till things get better in your life..and it will..it's just going to take some time...trust me the wellfare office understands the struggles of single parents and by u going down there to apply for the things that u are having trouble to make ends with...they will help u...so long as u are 100 percent honest with them...Number one..if u don't have medical insurance to cover the kids...u will get it right away..since u are a family of 4.(not including this guy)and u make 40 thousand or less u can get it..including foodstamps..(just untill things get better).U can also apply for public housing..sure that sounds awful..but there are alot of places that are decent as hell and u wouldn't ever know that the landlord allows section 8 people.(section 8 means the landlord gets there rent period no questions ask cause the state pays him u pay him just a little maybe only 100 to 200 a month only set back is u are on a waiting list..but it goes quick in the spring time..u can also get help with heat the list is endless..all u need to show them is all the kids Social security numbers,yours as well..proof of paycheckstub from your job and copys of all your bills that u pay.like car insurance gas bill electric bill ect ect..u will be flabbergasted on all the areas that the wellfare dept can help u with...Remember this is your tax money that is helping u so why not make it work for your kids\nthere is also a place called the YWCA not YMCA(thats for men)they help with apartments furniture childcare ect ect..i know u ask for financial help here..instead of getting a check to cover your bills..all that i mention above they personaly pay your bills for u..if u ever want to talk more to me please feel free to contact me through my name...Good luck sweety u can do it..and get rid of the abusive so called boyfriend u don't need this right now..u and your kids come first and nothing else..PERIOD
353744
Has anyone ever considered what taxes are used for?  (besides padding the politicians wallets?)  Where do you think that the money for disaster relief comes from, where do you think the money for housing and food programs comes from, where do you think the money to pay for our emergency services comes from?  We all have a part in paying for those things.  And for those people that complain about having to take care of those that aren't able to do so for themselves at any point in time in their life.  I pray that you never find yourself in such an unfortunate situation.  So many have gotten there by no fault of their own.  There are doctors and lawyers and successful business people that were at the top of their game, but unfortunate circumstances - illnesses, natural catastrophes, etc have left them with nothing and trying to start their lives over again.  Don't be so quick to judge - someday someone just may be passing judgment on you.
417567
Nice! \nDemocrats all the way baby!!!\n\nRe: Mei-Lin...You have no knowledge of assistance programs if you are going to make the claim that people that receive assistance simply are refusing to work. Taxes fund lots of programs such as social security and Medicare--do you want to take that assistance away from your grandparents? If not why then are so programs people deserving of and others they are not according to you? Are you aware that the large majority of people seeking welfare do not actually get it? In 1996 the nation had a major welfare reform. Welfare is no longer an entitlement program. If people seek welfare and they are able to work they typically receive no cash assistance. These programs are not easily accessable. So, that FAMILY may go without food or housing or heat until that parent can find a job. Is that ok with you? Do you want children going hungry? And, the majority of people receiving welfare are on it short-term, an average of 1-3 years. Also, people receiving welfare overwhelmingly have major life problems. A large percentage of recepients have a history of domestic violence, learning disabilities, mental illnesses...and the list goes on. Thus, these are not parents refusing to work these are parents with significant barriers to healthy life functioning, which includes maintaining employment. There will always be people that need help in any society and if those people do not recieve adequate help it will negatively effect the society. \nSecondly, in your republican mantra you stated that people should get their money back because they work hard. Question...city services among many other things need to be funded do you understand that that requires taxing people? It always seems that conservatives fail to see that taxing is necessary to provide citizens adequate services. You get something in return for the money you pay.
218113
No I haven't but (it sounds like its a friend) and it sounds like she can get help through a pro-bono place , or a low income based legal services . YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED  at what some places consider LOW INCOME . My sisters husband brings home at least $400.00 a wk (in winter) and at least $600.00 a wk. in summer , and they have a 3 person household . They get approx. $46,000 a year bring home and they get help from W.I.C , Daycare Asst. , food excetra . So tell her - or help her , find those services .
623658
Yes - I agree.  Get a lawyer and appeal.  My husband worked for 30 yrs. or so and finally had to quit because of bipolar and his meds.  He applied twice, was turned down both times.  We finally found a reasonable attorney and just last month, my husband received his first check for 1,100.00.  Just don't give up - keep trying, okay?
139531
You know, the government doesn't owe everyone a standard of living or any sort of help.  I am sure that help is available if you apply for it, but your sense of entitlement is just sort of "out there", you know?  No one is going to know the situation, go through the proper channels.
437230
Why should we get a pay cut??  Do you realize that the very men and women that protect your right to post crap like they don't make that much as it is??  The average person joining the military right now with a wife and child can qualify for food stamps.  The military is on call 24/7 and doesn't get paid nearly what's due them.  Their benefits are cut constantly and you think they deserve a pay cut because they failed to accomplish their mission.  In the first place, when did we fail??  As far as I know, we're still in Iraq and rebuilding the country.  We're bringing freedom to a people that need it and keeping terrorists at bay.  \n\nI think the only person that's probably a failure here is you.  If you think they deserve a pay cut or that they've failed, I dare you to go spend just a week in their boots.  Let's see what kind of attitude you have then.
95825
It sounds like your friend is depressed! I would suggest that you help her find a religious counselor or someone that she can trust who does professional counseling. Once she has addressed her depression, have her go to legal aid, and see what her rights as a single mother of 2 who has been deserted so her husband (and the father of her children) can pursue an adulterous relationship and how much she is entitled to get legally. \n\nShe may need to join a support group for single mothers, she can learn from others in her own situation. She will get the answers to many questions, there will be others there that will teach her that she MUST attend to basic needs BEFORE she considers tuition to a private school. The money must go for household expenses and bills and food. Then whatever extras that can be afforded (while still trying to hold on to some "emergency money"). There should be health insurance for both of the children and her too, and that can be negotiated in the divorce settlement. If the man is rich, then she should be in good shape once she begins to get her full support and alimony payments, and she learns how to budget her money. \n\nPlease do not be too critical of her failure to be able to pursue her education with enthusiasm right now. Your friend may be in some real trouble emotionally. She may need to talk to someone who deals with people who are depressed.\n\nGood luck, and remember if your friend needs inspiration sometimes the best place to find it is in faith! Learning to trust in herself and to believe that she can do what needs to be done, is something that you cannot buy for her. I believe if you are a good friend, you can help her find the right path, you cannot do it for her though. When you do things for her, she does not have to do them for herself.\n\nGood luck, and my prayers for you and your friend. She does have 2 excellent reasons to live and to heal her broken heart and bruised feelings! Plus she is really blessed to a good friend like you! I am sure that means a lot to both her and her kids too!\nruthie~