do you think you could play the welfare system for a living?
By shell2784
@shell2784 (752)
United States
November 14, 2009 10:49pm CST
This may sound absolutly horrible - but here in the United States, 2 of my closest friends rely on the welfare system for their means of living. They rely on the state in general. They're mother an daughter and they both receive SSI for anxiety issues. The mother and I have been friends for 8 years... and I'm pretty sure she's been receiving it longer than that. The daughter is 33 years old and this is the only way she's ever lived. They both collect SSI every month - neither of them regulary take their medications to help them cope with this disorder... they get food stamps and healthcare, fuel assistance and all. And let me tell you what, if their foodstamps are a day late - the flip!!!
The daugher has never once held a job. At 33 years old. She's done side jobs and such for cash here and there... but other than that... nothing.
I just don't honestly think I could live like that if I wanted to. Not for financial reasons or anything like that but just, that the world owes you something because you get nervous working a cash register or something.
I feel that the welfare system is there to help out people in need. I received food stamps and healthcare for 2 years when I was down and out and couldn't get a full time job anywhere... but I did what I had to do. I worked my way up as a telemarkter (no less) to earn enough money where I found that I wasn't using my food stamps anymore. I'd pay my bills and go grocery shopping, etc, and be comfortable for the month. You should have heard my caseworker when I asked him if I was allowed to give back the food stamps but still keep the healthcare for a bit... (ok, I"m off track...)
ANYWAY - do you feel, as a person, that you could live like that? Could you rely on the state... on the government, on the tax payers for you to live?
2 responses
@shell2784 (752)
• United States
15 Nov 09
But you see... as far as these two ladies go - I honestly don't consider them scum... or I wouldn't be friends with them. They're not the kind that laugh and carry on about how they're screwing the system (although I know a few of them too... ugh. That's a WHOLE different ranting session). They're just two people who know the money's there... they truely feel they have a significant psychological problem and this is the life they are destined to because of it. The daughter has talked about getting a real job, and the mother says "and risk losing your food stamps and your health insurance? I don't think so!!!" And... I just sit there like... "WTF???"
@max1950 (2306)
• United States
15 Nov 09
everyone has problems but most dont play the system, i stick with my original response. i used to see them in town's around mine, collecting, with a new caddy in the driveway. what goes around comes around. and i wouldn't want to be them. but you have a great weekend at least you sound sane. ;)
@Slewis77 (47)
• United States
15 Nov 09
I am a mother of 3 small children. My husband has been out of work for 7 months. I applied for food stamps and was almost denied. I make a decent living. But with 3 children and my husband has a child from a previous relationship so we also have child support. We could not make ends meet. They were going to deny benefits because my husband was out of work and our expenses were more then what I was making.
This to me was a no brainer!!! That is why I need HELP! But the way the system is set up it is outdated for our time. We now have people that WANT to live like this. It is horrible just like you said.
So for 3 months social services kept putting my case off - they would not accept or deny me - all I knew was I needed help and fast. I called the office one day and the women told me I was denied. I asked why, she said that most of my bills did not fall under basic living. My car, car insurance, cell phone (did not have house phone)fuel for the car, and since I didn't have a washer and dryer I had to go to the laundry mat. All this did not matter. I made too much. But between my rent and my daycare that exceeded my TAKE HOME PAY.
I asked the women - so if I quite my job, you will give me everything I need. She said yes! WOW.
Long story short - I kept my job - got benefits - and now my husband is going back to school to better his eduction so he can get a JOB. He will be done in April 2010. I can't wait to be that same person you were - Here you go - you can have your benefits back because I am back!!!
People living on the system know how to live off of it and very well. Most of the people I saw in the social services office have designer bags and clothes, and all the latest fashions... yet these are the people that get the benefits because they don't work.
So ABSOLUTELY NOT, it is morally wrong. Anyway I love making money, I love being the strong respected women that I am.
