Does welfare really help? or does it hurt in the long run?
By carissa765
@carissa765 (1097)
United States
July 19, 2007 1:26pm CST
So I know you are all dying to hear the story as to why I asked this question...
Any way there is this girl that I went to highschool with who graduated a year under me. That would make her 25. I recently ran into her at the Walmart here in town. She had 4 kids around her and they all varried in age. I asked her if she was baby sitting and she said no. So I was like wow been busy since high school? She kinda laughed and just finished our conversation. She asked me what I had been doing and I told her that I was on my second marriage and had two kids from the first one. She asked me if there was going to be any more, and I told her no because I had a hysterectomy, so my husband did not have any kids and he was accepting mine as his own.
She said that was good. I also told her that I was working ion the health care profession and was doing really well for myself... I kinda fibbed everyone knows how tough it is anymore to make ends meet, but I do work in the health care field...
So I asked her what she had been doing and she said that she had never been married and was living in an apartment and using welfare to help her out...
I asked if she had a job other than that and she stated that she did not.. EXACT WORDS "Why work when welfare will pay me to sit at home and have kids.. I make about 100 dollars per kid." I though OH MY GOD how do people end up like this? I know that the welfare system is supposed to be a crutch and if you do not watch it they will pull you in and try to keep you down... I used the welfare system when my ex-husband was in a motorcycle accident, I need the help I was pregnant taking care of an infant. But I made sure that when I was ready the try to do it on my own, I got rid of everything except the health insurance for my children.
I was recieving 218 dollars a month in cash and 387 dollas a month in foodstamps... When I was ready to get out of the system I was recieving 23 dollars in cash and 87 dollars a month in foodstamps.
Yes I did see how easy it was just to sit there and take care of my family and live off of the government, I have paid taxes and am intiteled to some of that money. But on the other hand I do not want to sit there and say when my kids get older, That my mom took care of us through money from the government. NO I want my kids to say my mom worked hard to support our family and I want my kids to grow up and know the value of a dollar and work as hard as I did so they can appriciate what they have earned. So how is the welfare system helping? How do you tell someone to get off there dead a$$ and go get a job you bum?
No don't get me wrong I understand the people that have developmental dissabilities and all that but shear lazyness is going to the extreme... Thank you for commenting and listening to me.
3 people like this
9 responses
@soccermom (3198)
• United States
19 Jul 07
I know what you're saying carissa. I too used the public aid system briefly before my hubby and I were married to help with heathcare for my child and I recieved a couple $100 a month in food stamps. We didn't get cash, but at the time my now hubby had been discharged from the Marines and was having a hard time finding employment and I was pregnant and only able to work part time because of some health issues. We used it as a stepping stone and after 9 months I contacted my case worker and told her I no longer needed benefits.
I guess it depends on what you want out of life for you and your kids. I have several policyholders in my office who are unemployed, have a few kids and live off of welfare. What really ticks me off is when I get the ones that work for cash "under the table", collect welfare and are driving around in new Cadillacs. I think if you don't have any disability that keeps you from working your welfare benefits should have a time limit. It's a vicious circle, the parents are on welfare and then the kids grow up and get on it too.
I understand needing help, but people taking advantage just shows how big of an overhaul our system really needs.
2 people like this
@carissa765 (1097)
• United States
20 Jul 07
By the way I forgot there is a time limit on the benifits, but it is something rediculous like 3 years or something. Then you have to wait like 3 months and can reapply for another three years, at least that is how it is here.
@wiccania (3360)
• United States
19 Jul 07
I'm a single mom w/ an autistic child. I don't have a car, and can only work when he's in school because I don't have childcare. I receive money for him from social security because he's autistic. I also receive foodstamps. But I also do stuff to earn money (mostly online) to help pay the bills. When he starts school next month, I'll look for a part-time job in walking distance.
I've considered applying for welfare, but I would never consider it the only option. I'd continue trying to work to provide for my child. It's one thing if there's a problem that requires her to be home all the time. But to have an attitude like that is just ridiculous. And in the end, either those children will think "why should I work when I can just get welfare" or they'll be completely ashamed of their mother.
2 people like this
@carissa765 (1097)
• United States
20 Jul 07
I commend people like us.. we would never use it unless absolutely nessecary. I believe in your situation there is always something to help.... I did it for three years by myself before I found a good guy to help... I was on welfare like I said until I could get on my feet, and I think there is nothing wrong with it in our situations.
@coolseeds (3919)
• United States
19 Jul 07
I look at it this way. IF there were no welfare system people would work.
I have always had 2 or 3 jobs when ever I wanted them where ever I have lived. If I can get 3 why can't someone else get 1? IT is a shame that some people have not an ounce of pride or integrity.
2 people like this
@carissa765 (1097)
• United States
20 Jul 07
People CAN get jobs, it is just too freaking easy for them not to., I know that there are some people that need the help but these people who do not need it they will eventually pay for it in the end.
@us2owls (1681)
• United States
29 Jul 07
I can't even begin to think what it would be like to just keep having kids to get a pay raise. What the welfare system needs to do is to set a limit on the number of kids they pay for in one family. For example - - this woman said she got $100 a kid. Well set the limit at 2 and if they have more than that - tough luck. This might encourage more of them to get off their lazy duffs and get a job and start paying taxes instead of living off what other people pay. In order to qualify for welfare - they should have to show an income tax statement from within the last 2 years also.
@carissa765 (1097)
• United States
29 Jul 07
I think the taxes are a good point and the limitations... thank you for posting.
@semak76 (187)
• United States
2 Aug 07
You hit a subject that really irks me. I am a single mom, my son's father went to jail when my son was six months old. He had been the caretaker, so when he left, I had to quit my fulltime job for lack of daycare set up. I worked part-time as a waitress, having different friends watch my son each once a week, so I didnt burden anyone. I struggled like heck to make ends meet. I thought about applying for welfard, but I just couldnt do it. All I could think is having to tell my son "when daddy left, mommy had to go on welfare". That was enough to get my butt in gear. I did take health insurance from the state, but that's because it is not offered at my job, and I couldn't let me son be without it. But I managed to pay the rent, all the bills, buy food, keep a car...all while working just 3 shifts a week. We weren't rich, and didnt have the nicest stuff, but we got by. People need to have a little pride in themselves and take responsibilty for their own actions.
1 person likes this
@carissa765 (1097)
• United States
4 Aug 07
I HEAR YA SISTER! lol
That I see no problem with, because you needed it the problem I have is the people who sit at home and take advantage of the FREE MONEY.
I don't think that they realize their FREE money is not exactly free. Maybe they do, they just DON'T CARE.
That is the part that really pi$$es me off.
Thank you for taking the time to post. I commend you for what you did and had to do.
@Malfador (18)
• United States
11 Sep 07
Welfare gives them an excuse not to work. Since it is my tax dollars paying for it, they could at least make them pick up trash along to road so the working people do not have to look at it. It is a shame that our government will allow this. I think they should have to do without if they don't want to work.
1 person likes this
@carissa765 (1097)
• United States
11 Sep 07
I agree completly, there has got to be some kind of community service they can do, just so they are not getting a totally "free ride". I am so disgusted at these people who are ok with living off the system forever.. I think it is okay to use when NEEDED, but get off of it for chris* sake!
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
19 Jul 07
It depends on how long one is in the system. If it is temporary it will get one on her feet, but the longer one is on it, the worse it is. For one thing, you get free medical, dental, and eye care on welfare. The more children you have, the more you will get. However when one works, one has to pay for medical, dental, and eye care out of their own pocket. One does not get a set percent for housing, and one has to support their children with what they make. So the more the person is on welfare, the more lazy they get. If it is for a short time, you do not get used to the amenities. As for education, if a person does not take advantage and take courses, he becomes a drain on the system. I also believe that being a single mother by choice, not by divorcing an abusive husband or your husband dying or getting killed, was encouraged by certain women and is responsible for the abuse of the welfare system and should be discouraged.
1 person likes this
@carissa765 (1097)
• United States
20 Jul 07
I believe so too... thank you for your post and hope to hear from you on another one soon.
@ChupoLibro (54)
• United States
20 Jul 07
I am torn on this issue ... especially when we're talking about a single mother. My thoughts are as someone who has gone from working outside the home to starting her own business to stay home with her kids. I learned after two years of working outside the home that I was not clearing very much at the end of the month after transportation expenses and childcare. I found a business I could do at home, make money, and raise the kids while still bringing in more. This woman has 4 kids ... and she'd be looking at $1500/mo. in childcare for those 4 kids. Without a formal education, a recent employment history, or at least a valuable skill, she's not going to bring home enough to cover childcare and all their other expenses. Yes, I know their are subsidies and special arrangements available to people that fall into certain income ranges, BUT you know the budget balance for her would be a nightmare. She was basically irresponsible, had kids without a spouse or committed partner, and she made the best of it (or at least what SHE believes to be the best of it) ... but then continued to be irresponsible several more times.
1 person likes this
@carissa765 (1097)
• United States
20 Jul 07
That is something I do not understand, why not stop while you are ahead? I mean if you know that they are going to leave why not stop instead of having 4 kis by different dads.... some people...
