Why Does It Seem As If Everyone Is Looking For A Hand Out?

I don't know much about it but I do know that you DO have to work to get assistance.  I know this because a friend was on it, and she had to go to a work program.  They DON'T just hand out money to people who are too lazy to work.  Sorry, but it doesn't work that way.

Unfortunately people still abuse the system, but not the way you make it sound.

you are excatly right..in maine if you want state help they put you through meetings and stuff and if you dont get a job..there goes you state help!

Quoting Brooke208:

I don't know much about it but I do know that you DO have to work to get assistance.  I know this because a friend was on it, and she had to go to a work program.  They DON'T just hand out money to people who are too lazy to work.  Sorry, but it doesn't work that way.

Unfortunately people still abuse the system, but not the way you make it sound.

I voted for the 1st one but I think its just wishful thinking... Right now not enough people are making the MEGA BUCKS to tax, and to many people needing support from the goverment! Why I dunno... I dont blame the economy either. Maybe education is to blame because higher learning isnt free, just a theory! I think thats what is sucking this country's financial system dry... is all the public assistance programs. Yes I think they are good but I sometimes get the impression that people want to use them as a support system and not so much an assistance.

I believe there is a limit in place, like they will only pay for 4 children and then stop. Might be WIC.

Being a stay at home mom, I don't get assistance.  And I personally don't know any that do.

Thats interesting, what state is that in and does she have a full time job now? Those work programs have been around since the 80's I believe maybe longer. People usually are forced to go into them because they are threatened to have their benefits cut off. They meet the quota then go back to "looking for work."

I agree though, there are too many people who are abusing the system. What would you consider "abusing the system?"

Quoting Brooke208:

I don't know much about it but I do know that you DO have to work to get assistance.  I know this because a friend was on it, and she had to go to a work program.  They DON'T just hand out money to people who are too lazy to work.  Sorry, but it doesn't work that way.

Unfortunately people still abuse the system, but not the way you make it sound.

  Wow this ought to be interesting..

Let me add my 10 cents worth in.  I understand putting the word 'assist' back into assistance.  Alot of people use the government as an crutch and excuse not to work.  Honestly the people who really need it (ie: disabled folks, single parents, elderly) are those who get screwed in the process.  Ohh yeah not to mention those who bust their butts trying to make ends meet also get screwed because they work.  For instance.. I'm an single mom..  I qualify for daycare and rent assistance.  My son gets medicaid.  I'm SO THANKFUL for the help that I get .  If I did not get the help I get I would probably be homeless and God only knows what else.  However when my hours at my job were cut because of the economy back in May of this year..  I went to apply for food stamps.  I was denied because I made too much.  Right.  I literally only cleared $150 per week.  Right between gas at that time (around 4 bucks an gallon) and everything else I had to dish out money for.  I thought it was crazy.  The lady at social services... TOLD ME TO QUIT MY JOB!  And they would give me all the help I wanted.  Free rent, free health care, free food, if I couldnt pay my electrics bill they would pay it for me..  Uhm right..  LOL!  It's SAD!  Which is why so many people use the governemnt as an crutch..  Personally feel UNLESS you are disabled and unable to work.  If you get assistance, you should have to have an JOB!  Now with daycare in my state you have to work atleast 35 hours to get assistance.  Which at the time my hours were cut I had to get an second job to keep.  I'm sick of tired of people talking down to me because I get assistance.  Unfortunately as an PARENT you got to put your pride aside and think of your child.  Which is what i'm doing.  My son comes first.  People can stare all they please and people can pass judgemental comments all they want.  But atleast I work and in the process of trying to better myself!

i agree.... i am under public assistance... my bf lost his job a month before i was due.... and we needed something. THANK GOD my dads insurance covered me because i am still in school. and we only had to pay the detucable... after my twins were born we got WIC and the medicaid card. my bf barely got a job... we didnt have insurance for the babies so thank goodness fo rthe card. and we have foodstamps because my dad doesnt make enough to support all of us and pay the bills. i think people do need assistance but to some point... like when i finish school im getting off of public assistance. if i have a job then i dont need it... but then there are those people who choose not to work but rather be taken care of.... i have a friend... everyone in her house is capable of working...but choose not to... they have section 8 and dont need to worry about rent... while me and my bf are stuggling to gather money every month so we have a place to live. i's hard.

While I agree with most of what you say I don't agree with the school aspect. I think that going to school to better your future is very important.If my tax dollars help to better someones future than that is OK with me. I do agree that the welfare system needs to be revamped and some abusers need to be dealt with.

thats for cash assitance. me and my bf where going to apply because my dad dont make enough for food and bills so we were going to apply but she said he would be doing volunteer work 9-5 and he would have to look for jobs and then i would have to quit school... personally i was mad that the lady said "school is no longer a priority for you" i was like any way thats my only chance to make money.... and we withdrew our application and me and him just continued looking for jobs for him and he got one.

Quoting Brooke208:

I don't know much about it but I do know that you DO have to work to get assistance.  I know this because a friend was on it, and she had to go to a work program.  They DON'T just hand out money to people who are too lazy to work.  Sorry, but it doesn't work that way.

Unfortunately people still abuse the system, but not the way you make it sound.