DiabeticMan's Wife: rant/vent/Frustration about Welfare

[diabeticman]

I just do not get it how Welfare is given and why it is so unequal.

As some of you may be aware, I am a Home Health Aide and a lot of my clients do get welfare and food stamp help. It is just a boggle to my mind how I have two disable clients who get completely different rates of help. There problems are different BUT both have problems yet one gets at least $200.00 on food stamps and the other gets a lousy $17 dollars a month.

The one getting $200.00 lives in a home that is in the Half million dollar range she was once a celebrity in her own right and seems to have money yet gets LI HEAP help and food stamps and other help.

The one getting $17 had an average life as I would say. she also gets LI HEAP and other help as well YET she has to beg and struggle for what little she gets. She went to the senior center and manage to get a 13 hour job a week. She is thrilled yet she is worried how this job will not only drain her and be difficult to her she is also worried that this little sum of money will affect her food stamps and possibly the aide she gets from people like me.

And I am also torn and frustrated by how this help is given out. and before I write this next section LET ME explain My mother was a single mother she basically only had her pay check to raise 2 girls and everything else. Now when she was first newly divorced she did go back to work but my sister and I where very young and her parents who would babysit up so she could work could not deal with 2 younger children ( my mother had us late in life). My grandfather insisted my mother quit and go on Welfare until we where older. When we where old enough my grandfather help my mother get a job. It was a job paying $25,000 a year ( by the time she retired in 2000). We struggled our all our life growing up. She made too much to qualify for any help for us yet there was my mother working a 40 hour work week and sometimes we only had bread and lunch meat to eat for the week.

Yet I see girls --my fellow co-workers who are also single mothers getting welfare help. They work a certain amount of hours a week and refuse to work any more because it would affect there welfare.

Not only that there are people in our new apartment complex who are on welfare they get help paying their rent in fact DiabeticMan and I pay the highest in the apartment complex BUT what really burns me up is the person in the apartment about ours she is on welfare has no desire to get a job gloats she is on welfare gets drunk every night and if she and her "Old Man"--who does work--aren't arguing and slamming doors they are fucking each other and we can hear it through the ceiling.

Here are DiabeticMan and I both with 40 hour jobs and we could use a little help and we can't get it but what really burns me because DiabeticMan and I can deal with the struggling but what is really REALLY pissing me off is the fact that some of my clients are really struggling for help and other can get the help without struggling and dare I say it MILKING the system.

And I know some of you are ready to slam me for saying this and will call me a troll but this is the thing really bugging.

[Grey]

1. I have no answer for you,

but, I must say, I really enjoy your rants.
Thank you for caring.

[kcr]

2. Some things to consider

Just for a start

http://www.governing.com/topics/health-human-services/states-cut-welfare-benefits-again.html

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2011/07/welf-j16.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/20/us/politics/house-passes-bill-cutting-40-billion-from-food-stamps.html


http://www.cbpp.org/cms/?fa=view&id=3899
SNAP Benefits Will Be Cut for Nearly All Participants In November 2013

[diabeticman]

3. Yes Republicans are a HUGE problem. I'm not saying people who deserve it shouldn't have it

some people cannot work and need that help I AM NOT oppose to helping them! I'm not opposed to my tax dollars giving a helping hand to ANYONE who really needs it but there is an issue that needs to be address far beyond the Republican rudeness.

[kcr]

4. No, I think you should actually read those links.

It's not just Republican Rudeness. They've cut welfare down to the bone. Food pantries cannot keep stocked. There is no problem that needs to be addressed far beyond "Republican Rudeness".

[840high]

5. That does not answer

the inequality. Why do some people get $200 and others a bare pittance?

[kcr]

7. Actually, it probably does

It's possible those who get a pittance got theirs cut. Or the people making these claims don't know as much about the people they're talking about as they think they do. I'm certainly skeptical of claims like "they aren't getting a job because they don't want to lose their benefits" Funny how some claim they hear stuff like that. I never have. Not once. Because no one gets enough benefits that they'd rather not get a job. That doesn't happen. That's right there with welfare queen on the believability scale. ETA I see I'm remembering hte post wrong. It was about working the amount of hours. That's different. They don't want their benefits cut, which is an entirely different situation, and that should be blamed on the system and how it is set up, not those on benefits.

[questionseverything]

39. you said,no one gets enough benefits that they'd rather not get a job. That doesn't happen.

but it does happen, it is the way the system is setup...say a single mom gets 700 bucks a month in fs and another 600 in rent assistance, lil help here and there with utilities....after that she has to do something for cash to pay other stuff like cleaning products ,transportation ,ect...now try and replace that monthly money with a minimum wage job,heck even with a 10/hr job...can't be done the numbers just don't work

the solution is to make fs available to a higher income level, take the shame factor completely out of it and we would get some support from middle class income repubs

[kcr]

40. I understand that

And that's exactly why people on welfare don't actually say things like that. They don't say "I don't want to get a job, I'd rather be on welfare" That doesn't happen. People woudld rather work and be self sufficient than be on welfare. They can't for the reasons you state. People who say things like they know people would rather be on welfare then work are spreading a lazy welfare meme that isn't true. That was my point.

[questionseverything]

43. you brought up the "lazy theme"

I look at that as a dog whistle approach to not discuss the problems in the way the system is set up because the truth is people are not "lazy" they are practical

/////////////

I was talking to my granddaughter's head start case worker before the "12 elections trying to convince him to vote dem, he said, my wife ,daughter and I received full benefits while I was going to school (fs and medical because we made less than 21,500 a year(I could be getting that number wrong as I am going from memory) but the minute we made 21,501 everything got cut off...I would vote for any pol that could change that or at least ease the transition

[kcr]

48. I brought up the lazy theme as a description of an argument.

Because it's an accurate description of that argument. Some people actually think those on welfare are lazy. Sad but true.

[Glitterati]

13. The answer is simple - Social Security

ANYONE collecting social security qualifies for $16.00/month in Food Stamps.

That's it.

And, yes, her "job" will disqualify her from that $16.00/month

[marybourg]

51. What????

[Glitterati]

53. That's correct.

Even a minimal Social Security income disqualifies one from any more than $16.00/month in Food Stamps.

[marybourg]

55. That's the complete

Opposite of what you just wrote. In addition, no one gets $16 in SS. The minimum is over $200. I think you're confused.

[Glitterati]

58. Perhaps a lesson in reading comprehension will help you.

Here is what I wrote:

ANYONE collecting social security qualifies for $16.00/month in Food Stamps.

[marybourg]

59. I rest my case.

"ANYONE collecting social security qualifies for $16.00/month in Food Stamps."

"Even a minimal Social Security income disqualifies one from any more than $16.00/month in Food Stamps"

[questionseverything]

32. good for you for sticking to the actual question

I see part of the problem being a total lack of transparency...there seems to be no rhyme or reason to figuring out the formula used to assign benefits...and it should be posted on the wall so everyone can see it but my experience is if you question the case worker they get mean and say,"i could take everything"

in my case, i am raising grandchildren, public aid uses their mom's income (zero) to determine their benefits for medical so they get medical cards but uses our income for nutritional benefits ,so no food stamps ....other grandparents in similar situations (with much higher income) have told me they get a monthly stipend for each grandchild $100/month & food stamps for the kids....when I asked case worker I got the "I could take everything away line"

////////////////////////////////////

another example: I have 2 relatives ,both are disabled but not "disabled enough for the gov't" to collect disability ,both are families of 2 people,1 adult,1 child in school...1 gets 370 a month in fs the other 137..makes ya wanna say "wtf"?

[kcr]

37. Because your caseworker won't comment on the cases of others, there's lack of transparency?

You're talking about two different benefits. Mom's income was figured for one. Yours for the other. It makes sense that they figure the income of the person taking care of children for food stamps. What other grandparents told you isn't evidence of lack of transparency. You think you know the circumstances of others, but you may not fully know all the details you think you do. Why would it be posted on the wall? Everyone's circumstances are going to be different.

[questionseverything]

41. why shouldn't the formula be posted on the wall?

why should it be up to the whim of the case workers mood?

I know the details because the folks in question told me their details...neither is a foster care case (which would automatically qualify the grandkids for monthly stipends)

[kcr]

42. So the caseworker should just automatically believe your friends wre telling you the truth then

What was his/her problem? They are very busy people. Why should they have to concern themselves with the stories of other people not in front of them? THey're dealing with your case. I'm sure you think your friends told you every pertinent detail, but you don't know for sure. And why should they care? You were wasting their time.

Your last point. That's exactly why probably just don't put it on the wall. Your friends aren't foster cases, which would have changed their qualifications. That goes to my point. Everyone is different. And then it changes again every time the politicians whittle everything down to the bone or take it away altogether.

[questionseverything]

45. honestly i can not tell if you are not reading or not understanding

sure everyone is different but benefits should be based on what that individual qualifies for and that formula should be PUBLIC..is that really what you are arguing against?

[kcr]

47. I'm not arguing they shouldn't be public

Are you arguing they aren't? That they're private and secret, just because they aren't posted on a wall? Because the caseworker didn't want to discuss the cases of your friends? Because I don't think that's true.

[questionseverything]

52. you keep saying i wanted to discuss a friends case but that is not true

I asked a public servant( the caseworker) about a public benefit as a taxpayer and was greeted with a threat...you seem to be fine with that, I am not

you did bring up one good point about pols changing the rules so often ,maybe that is part of the reason us "unwashed" are not handed a simple paper describing the formula used...for my household it is not the end of the world but for a single mom trying to survive it might be, and from what I can tell in my limited experience it could be on the "whim" of a case worker

[kcr]

54. That is what you said you did. I will quote:

"in my case, i am raising grandchildren, public aid uses their mom's income (zero) to determine their benefits for medical so they get medical cards but uses our income for nutritional benefits ,so no food stamps ....other grandparents in similar situations (with much higher income) have told me they get a monthly stipend for each grandchild $100/month & food stamps for the kids....when I asked case worker I got the "I could take everything away line"

If you didn't mean to imply you were asking the caseworker about your friends, then you weren't clear, because it very much looks like that's what you're saying here. If not, then we need more to go on then just I asked a question and got a threat. Is that pervasive? Do all caseworkers just threaten everyone whenever they're simply asked a question? I think I'm skeptical of that one too, I'm afraid.

[questionseverything]

56. asking about a program is different that asking about someone elses case

I guess now you are saying I am lying about the encounter and there is nothing I could do to change your mind because I sure didn't tape it or something...and I never said all caseworkers

///////////////

<shrugs>

[kcr]

57. I'm not accusing you of lying. You said something, then said you didn't say it.

That's just confusing is all.

[840high]

60. Thank you. Yes WTF is correct.

[diabeticman]

6. I know about the food pantry issues. My friend volunteers in her area and she was telling me

they barely had a shelf filled for the second give away that week. They had to cancel it. I think we need to change the public preception on welfare for anything to get better and the Republicans cutting to stop.

[Gormy Cuss]

8. You know, you don't know.

Last edited Tue Jan 28, 2014, 01:43 AM - Edit history (1)

You're blaming EXACTLY THE WRONG PEOPLE. Those who have managed to navigate the system and qualify for benefits aren't the problem. Those who make choices like working fewer hours so that they can hold onto the meager yet essential benefits aren't the problem.

You know who are? The politicians who make it damn near impossible for people to get some help.

[tammywammy]

9. Does your neighbor also drive a Cadillac? n/t

[diabeticman]

12. Don't give me that Reagan era bull crap. I amtalking about inequality in how welfare is given

not that people can't or shouldn't have it.

[tammywammy]

14. Yet, here you are complaining about your neighbor.

Getting that awesome welfare money and "gloating" about it. Sorry, I was just waiting for you to also mention her sweet Cadillac ride that she uses to go pick up all that booze every day.

Sure there inequality, but at the same point you have no idea what the former minor celeb's actual financial situation is. Or the neighbor's.

[alcibiades_mystery]

31. Once you realize that this entire thing is a concoction, it gets much easier to read the nonsense

[tammywammy]

50. Haha, true.

LOL!

[SomethingFishy]

10. None of this shit would be an issue if we had a minimum wage

that was a living wage.

You do realize that Welfare fraud is about 2% right? Your personal experience with 2 people means nothing. The myth of the people living high on the hog off of welfare is a joke, played on you to convince you that person who is ripping off the system for $1400 a year is the problem in this country. When the actual problem in this country is more like the 91 billion paid in subsidies to Wall Street. Who gave away 83 billion in BONUSES this year.

Yes you read that correctly. Your tax dollars provided 83 billion dollars in bonuses for CEO's and upper management on Wall Street all of whom already make over 7 or 8 figures.

Yes you should be angry at that ex celebrity with the half a million dollar home and the $1400 a year in welfare. While you completely ignore Jamie Dimon who took 10 million dollars of your tax money in bonuses, after getting a TARP bailout and paying 13 billion in fines for regulatory violations(read:crimes).

[diabeticman]

11. I'm not mad at Ex celb I AM ANGRY at the system

[HangOnKids]

19. Clearly you aren't reading the posts presented

Try again.

[CreekDog]

24. one gets more responses by posting replies that indicate they have NOT read them

[surrealAmerican]

38. It would be a smaller issue, but it would still be an issue.

Here's why: there are more unemployed and under employed people than there are jobs.

The minimum wage should be a living wage, certainly, but there are still people who would need assistance no matter what that wage is.

[LeftyMom]

15. You know entirely too much about the business of your acquaintances and you need a better hobby.

I would suggest reading, it would improve your grammar.

While you're reading check your employer's policy on posting clients' information on the internet, and then go read about HIIPA.

[jcboon]

16. A bit bourgie aren't we?

There aren't any HIPPA violations--how's anyone going know who she's talking about without names and location??
And maybe hard working people don't have time to read to "improve their grammar" or brush up on the purposefully baroque requirements for public assistance.
Have liberals become completely tone-deaf to us working class people?

[LeftyMom]

17. I am as working class as they come.

Assumption fail.

[Gormy Cuss]

18. FFS. if you're going to correct someone, get it right. It's HIPAA

which stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
And the arrogant presumption that hard working people don't have the time to read is, well, arrogant.

[jcboon]

20. You are correct on both counts

However some of us are just so busy trying to stay alive it seems a bit condescending to correct people's grammar.
There's a lot of genuine frustration out there and people deserve some thoughtful answers to their questions.

[CreekDog]

28. you're saying it's not condescending to call the person you're replying to "bourgie" and "baroque"?

as for grammar, the lack of commas of both husband and wife and the similarity of writing style is not picking on working class people.

it's questioning the OP.

[CreekDog]

23. how does the OP know all those details about others?

do you tell people that you don't know well how much you make, how much your house is worth, how much gov't assistance you're getting?

[CreekDog]

25. you use the term "bourgie" and "baroque"

to call her out of touch with the working class.

[tammywammy]

27. haha

I caught that as well.

[TheKentuckian]

21. It is about income for the food stamps.

I don't get the 17 bucks thing though. Are they seriously looking at folks incomes and have decided that someone is like a day short of a reasonable food budget?

The whole deal is stingy is t be problem.

[CreekDog]

22. You and your wife, you both don't use commas

it's amazing to have that in common.

[Chan790]

26. Poor grammar as well.

Also irregular Capitalization and verb-tense confusion.

Oddly I suppose that They both speak good in person but maybed NOT?

[CreekDog]

29. they both speak and write equally, whether up close or afar

to anyone angry at me, I'm not criticizing the writing styles here, i'm curiously noting the similarity of writing style of what I'm told are two different people.

[alcibiades_mystery]

34. We are told many things in this life

Some are true. Some are, well...

[alcibiades_mystery]

33. ROFL

Oh, indeed.

[diabeticman]

61. This time I type as she was ranting! Don't worry I won't allow her to share her thoughts in this

"Community" anymore!

[CreekDog]

62. Your response was worth the wait

uh huh.

[snooper2]

30. It's based on kids and assests from what I tell, also income coming in

Like alimony

SSDI, etc.,


Some people are better at working the system as well of course....it needs reformed that's for sure, some folks need more help and other folks need to get off their ass.

[reformist2]

35. A huge advantage of basic income is that everyone gets money, also elimnates lots of stupid red tape

[CreekDog]

36. minimum guaranteed income is a much better system than this

i agree.

[questionseverything]

49. i am not on board with the whole guaranteed income thing but

food security ,food stamps for all except the highest income groups would be an excellent start...I look at it this way,we already pay for the food with farm subsidies and we know food stamps are great for the gnp...1.79 in growth for every dollar we spend

[jwirr]

44. Both of those programs are income based not degree of health issues. The rent issue is also income

based. All of us are certified using the same federal guidelines. The problem with these guidelines is that what is called poverty today was determined in the 60s and does not show true poverty today.

[leftynyc]

46. I don't blame you for being pissed

That is outrageous and the woman who is obviously soaking the system should be turned in. She and those like her just make it harder for those who legitimately need help.