@dizzier wrote:
@marty56 wrote:
While I do believe we should help people who are truly in need, everyone knows that the welfare systems is comprised largely of people who know how to work the system and have little incentive to better themselves.
wow, what a generalization. that's a whopper!
While I too hate those kinds of generalizations, it is true, some people in the system don't do much to better their situation. I would say "largely comprised" but that's just me. The thing is, that IMHO the system discourages it. I'm a single mother, 21, had to drop out of school to support myself, my son, and his father (he couldn't get/hold a job for more than a week). I left him about a year ago. I personally do get LoneStar benefits for food, and my son is on medicaid. I made less than 9k last year because they said I can't qualify for childcare for my son so I could only work minimal hours.
I work from home $9 an hour doing customer service over the phone/internet, so I worked when he slept, and I set up to have my mom watch him a few hours a day as well.
Initially when I went in to apply for foodstamps, I figured since I'm finally willing to admit I need help, I may as well get any help I can to help me provide for my son. I attempted to get TANF (temporary assistance for needy families) and also to get medicaid for myself since the insurance from my work is overpriced and out of my range. (It would literally eat 1/3 of my wages.) I was told and I quote "I'm sorry you can't get anything other than foodstamps for yourself, because you have a job."
So perhaps it's not so much that they're abusing the system but it's more so that the system needs some major improvements? I can't even tell you how many times I wished I would get fired so I could then qualify for actual government assistance and insurance, if that were the case I'm sure I'd be "making" far more than I am now...
Start 2/2008: TU 495 || EX 539 || EQ 528
Now 5/2013: TU 716 || EX ??? || EQ 702
Slate: $5000 Simplicity: $5000 David's Bridal: $3500 SW Chase: $3000 FNBO: $3000 Barclay NFL: $2500 BofA: $2400 Discover IT: $1700 Walmart: $1500 Victoria's Secret: $1000 Cap1: $750 Amex Zync: NPSL
(2 derogs to go until I'm squeaky clean in 2014!)