Speak up if you are on public assistance:

[imnotbarbie03]

So, there seems to be a lot of misconceptions and negativity surrounding those who use Public Assistance.

There is a stereotype that exists that all people on are terrible, lazy, moochers.

So, I'm going to take a roll call - who here will admit to using it and (briefly) explain their circumstances.

I get $487/m in food assistance. I pay $74 a month for reduced cost child care. I get up to $8,000 a year in Pell Grant money for school and I am on medicaid.

I'm a divorced mom of two and a full time student. I work only on weekends and my partner only makes about $11/hr.

Next year I'll finish my Bachelor's Degree and hopefully find a job that pays well so that I no longer have to use the system.

I'm not lazy, or trashy, or on drugs. I live in a duplex and drive a beat up car. I don't go shopping whenever I feel like it, in fact I coupon like crazy WITH my foodstamps so that I can afford to feed us all healthy meals on the limited budget. I don't get my hair or nails done in a salon.

I feel like I am the REAL face of people who use public assistance. Not that stereotype people tend to have.

Anyone else want to step up and help debunk the stereotype?

[bluesky51201]

If the amount you get in FS is more than you need then why are you taking WIC and free lunch? Why not buy food and have your children take their lunches to school?

Quoting wittyscreenname:

My husband works full time as an assistant manager for a rent-to-own place. His hours are sporadic and it makes it difficult for me to work, so I am a SAHM right now, until my youngest starts school next year. At that time, I will return to school to finish my degree and then get a job. I can't work during the day right now, because we only have one vehicle and I have to schedule time to use it, due to my husband's job.

We get $671 in food stamps for a family of 5 (and honestly, I'm not sure WHY we get that much and I asked them to cut it back, but they said it's what we qualified for. They put my info in right, so IDK), WIC, and the kids get Medicaid and free lunch at school.

[emmy526]

no she isn't...she isn't getting welfare, she's getting social security  for the kids...and food stamps are federal...i don't blame her for wanting to stay home with her kids and be a parent.  I would too if i was in her shoes.  But i would also think about a future for myself other than living on sec8 and cs, and ssi...that doesn't sound like much of a future for her, and her situation now isn't doing anything for her future,  if she isn't doing anything about it herself either....she's probably in a good position to take a nite class to better herself and provide a future for herself too...i hope she takes advantage of the opportunity she has.  

Quoting blsdbyangel07:

Quoting Rashonda85:

Woohoo ova here! I get $526 a month foodstamps,$400 a month child support , $1321 a month ssi for the kids , rent is $1325 a month but I only pay $359 a month with section 8 all utitlities included. I have no plans on getting off anytime soon. I have more not working than I would earn. I get to be a SAHM mom and I love it.

No plans on getting off anytime soon?  Wtf.  YOU are the reason people get shit on here.

[Homeschoolmom99]

 I am in school I get $300.00 in cash and $297.00 In food stamps and SSI for my son. I get pell grants as well I am in school to be a social worker.

My partner gets $200.00 in food stamps and she works part-time.

My ex has just been served today with the custody and support papers which cost us $75.00

I have Anthony in an after-schoolprogram and I work part-time on top of going to school and homeschooling on and I run like 4 support groups and volunteer at a battered women's shelter!

I am far from lazy! Heck my Dr. told me if I would stay still and rest my back would get better I told him while I am at it want me to cure AIDS and find world peace?

[3greatkids751]

WOW...just Wow. I'll never understand why ppl feel the need to explain there self or family financial situation on a public forum.. ESPECIALLY this particular one.. *smh* to each there own..

[sabbycat69]

Thankfully our family never got ourselves to the point of public assistance. But if there are people who truly need it for a time being then why not. They got to do what they got to do to survive

[lv_my_babies]

It's somthing to look into then, at least for the year I have left of school.

Quoting Rashonda85:

You're the parent of minor children you absolutely do qualify for medicaid.

Quoting lv_my_babies:

I get $527 in FS for myself and my 2 kids, they are both on Medicaid I am not, not sure if I can get it since I am not pregnant. I am a full time student, even though I have taken the summer off so that my parents can take the kids and I to see family out of state. I get a $5,500 pell grant for the whole year which is alot more then what I really need. We do live with my parents so that I can focus on school and my kids, they let me use their car to get to class. Once I am finished with school I plan on donating money/food to food banks and to a children's hospital as a pay it forward kind of thing, I get this help now why not help other's when I am able to.

[MadysonsMama]

I get 70 per month in fs. Medicaid for my girl and 75 a week in child support. I also have a degree in health information technology...just hard finding a job. In addition I work full time

[jenn4443]

I get medical and 300 in food stamps and work 2 jobs plus do a night owl thing 3 nights a week and haven't got child support in over 4 months. But yes I get help but I work my butt off.

[Nicole060812]

Several years ago my ex husband left me and my two kids. I was in medical school and had no income. I received food stamps during that time. I have graduated since then I'm a resident and remarried to a wonderful man. I've never been on Medicaid but had to use the food recourses for my children and now made all our lives better. I don't regret it! I'm glad it was available to me at the time and can now give back to my community.

[Dayna29]

I had a friend that was disqualified for pa just by $50 a month. The lady actually told her that if she would get pregnant/have another child that they would be happy to get her on assistance. She needed the help but I do realize there has to be a cutoff line somewhere. She wanted to break down in tears. Her DS was on a formula that wic won't just hand out unless there is a doctors note. It was really really exspensive. I felt bad for her.