We now make "too much money" for FS - Page 2

[Delicateflower]

I have a question: do food stamps taper down as you get closer to the cut off?

Originally Posted by AlwaysByMySide

I have the same problem. Because I'm self-employed, if I have a good month, it throws everything out of whack. We just got kicked off, and in two weeks, unless something ridiculous happens, we'll qualify for them again.

I also hate that welfare/TANF (in my state) requires working 40 hours a week. When I work 40 hours a week, I make too much to be on welfare, but can still only barely make ends meet after paying for childcare for two kids under 5.

Love welfare reform.

No, childcare subsidies is what there should be. Real subsidies, not tax credit, because people with two kids earning much under $100,000 don't pay tax.

[AlwaysByMySide]

Originally Posted by Delicateflower

No, childcare subsidies is what there should be. Real subsidies, not tax credit, because people with two kids earning much under $100,000 don't pay tax.

Well, my state has a childcare subsidy program, but it ran out of money, so there's a waiting list.

[beansmama]

IMO FS doesn't discourage from attending school? In Oregon, the only way to get FS if you DON'T work is to attend at least 1 credit hour a term. I am getting $355/mo for me and DD(5yo) and I don't work...I am a full time student though. I'm not sure if that goes for all states, but I wouldn't see why not?

As far as taking peoples expenses into consideration - well, I think that could be good to an EXTENT...but I don't feel like people who live outside of their means (have a lot of *intentional* debt - ie: luxury debt like large mortgages, credit cards, etc) should get benefits because they are "hard up". That was their choice. (ETA: medical debt is NOT luxury debt...just to clarify!)

But they should actually look at peoples expenses, rent, etc and decide whats reasonable, then go from there. It shouldn't be such a "one size fits all" deal. I think that's crap.

On the other note, I think it's totally unfair that 2 families can be the same size and have the same income (let's say, $25k annually for a family of 4) - but if ONE of those families is good with money and has a savings, no debt, etc, they DON'T qualify. The family that is identical yet has no savings DOES qualify.

Punishment for knowing how to make a dollar stretch? Total BS.

[octobermom]

What we payed for rent was factored into our qualifations for FS when we had them so was our electricity bill and water/gas (which we didn't pay)

Deanna

[I~love~pie]

I wish I could help
I remember when it was just me and my infant son, I worked as a waitress in a burger place and I was basically making $450 a month TOPS, and my half of the rent was $325, they told me I made to much money to recieve any benefits including foodstamps. They said $125 a month to live off and pay bills and food was enough....so yeah I have a sour spot for them. But Hey I would hope things have changed, this was way back when they still gave you paper "money", 1993..

[wombatclay]

I'm sorry. We've always been just above the cut off, and these days we're above the WIC cut off too, despite the most of our income goes to bills we have no control over. Before I became a SAHM several of my co-workers were in similar situations... one discovered that when her DH was laid off they actually ate better because they suddenly qualified for FS and other assistance!

It may be worth looking into WIC again since the program has been going through some "upgrades". In addition, Angel Food is a non-income based option that may work for you (the food is very processed, but there is a certain amount of customization available). And at least around here some of the farm CSAs have shares set aside for people in certain income brackets. Maybe a local co-op or CSA has something similar or you could lobby them to start this sort of service?

Hang in there and good luck!

[an_aurora]

There's no AngelFood in our area We have a CSA that we pay $100/month for, for 2 boxes of food.

DH had another appointment. Yesterday they said we did qualify and then today suddenly they decided we were $400 over the limit. The crappy thing is that if I cut my hours at work and make LESS money then we'd actually be able to feed the kids. Or, if DH quits his job, we'd get lots of food stamps.

[~Megan~]

Originally Posted by an_aurora

Yes we were on WIC but stopped since we don't drink milk or juice, and it's alot of hassle for peanut butter, eggs, and beans.

btw, WIC is changing. They are adding in vouchers for veggies and grains now too.

[an_aurora]

Originally Posted by ~Megan~

btw, WIC is changing. They are adding in vouchers for veggies and grains now too.

Yeah, and I've heard soy milk too ::

I am not sure when it's changing here, but I"m definitely applying once it does.

[octobermom]

DH had another appointment. Yesterday they said we did qualify and then today suddenly they decided we were $400 over the limit. The crappy thing is that if I cut my hours at work and make LESS money then we'd actually be able to feed the kids.

ITTU one of the hardest decessions we made during my DH part time days (he was an ajunct college professor earning around $16,000-$18,00 a year) was that I couldn't work not unless we could guarentee I'd get a salary pay and I wan't even in the position for such jobs. Why? because if I potientlally earned over $300 a month we got cut off.. It was too much stress.. I got cut hours We didn't eat a meal, a holiday store cosed no work.. no pay .. no food, stay home for illiness lower paycheck no food. It was a hard decession FULL of guilt but knowing that we ATLEAST had the $200 a month for food was something we needed to keep sane.

Deanna