January 2010 Low Income Thread

[Leta]

I am so addicted to these threads, I can't stand that it's been a whole DAY without a new one... so here it is!

Happy New Year everybody. Here's to a heads-above-water 2010!

[Peacemamalove]

I am making a Vision board with the family this weekend. We are truly greatful for everything that has come into our lives and we are going to try real hard to stay positive and focused.

Happy new Year everyone..May this year be wonderful and prosperous for all of us!

[maciascl]

Does anyone know if it is possible that they might increase our food stamps now that I am pregnant? I filled out the quarterly form today so I am wondering if it will change things. We also have appointments for MediCal on Monday for the whole family. Wed I have a WIC appointment to add myself too.

[waiting2bemommy]

Yay!!!! It's a new year!

And we're starting out broke, so it can only get better from here, right?

I'm trying really hard to focus on the positive and be grateful for what I have.

We were in McDonald's waiting for the bus today....there were all these older gentlemen sitting around drinking coffee who were obviously homeless and waiting for the shelters to open at 7. It was a wind chill of 15 degrees today and it made me say a prayer of thanks that although I might be 6 months pregnant and still sharing a twin daybed with my 2 year old and 169,475 action figures, stuffed animals and cars LOL but at least I have somewhere to lay my head tonight. So a prayer for all those starting out this year in less fortunate circumstances, that they get the help first because they need it more.

I am SO thankful that I am starting out this year with a full time job, a roof over my head (at least for the rest of this month), food in my belly and clothes on my child's back (and even a few things for the new little one!) We WILL make it in 2010!

maciascl, where I live they count you as two people as soon as you report that you're pregnant. So your FS will go up as soon as you get pregnant, but after the LO is born and starts actually eating food later they won't go up again because you started getting that child's allotment while you were still pregnant. Does that make sense?

[s_kristina]

I just got the information back from our twice annual foodstamps review and we did have an increase in the amount. I would assume that is because I am pregnant as that is the only thing that has changed since we moved in here.

We got a couple really great finds off Craiglists free section and freecycle this week. I found a small tv/vcr combo that was being offered with converter box and indoor antenna. The next day I was checking out CL and found a 37" TV that was basically around the corner and had just been posted. I called and got dh to pick it up as soon as they were back from a run moving things to their new place. We now have a nice big tv in the living room with antenna and converter box so the kids can see a few shows again. Oddly enough we get several PBS channels so there is plenty for the kids to watch. With the cold, nasty weather and everyone having been sick the past few days it has been a wonderful thing to have. I will also have a very happy dh tomorrow as he can watch the Cowboys

[sunanthem]

Happy 2010!
Things will be better this year, I know it! This year I'll be going back to school, dh is in school, and we're both getting grants, so I know things will get better then they are now. The only thing bothering me is the foreclosure hearing is coming up. I wish there was something I could do, I'm trying but I just dont know what to do and it's scary. Other then that, things are ok right now. Everyone is healthy, the bills are getting paid slowly but surely, and I know we have $ coming when school begins.

I hope we all have a great year and our families stay safe and healthy.

[Mylie]

Okay if I join?

I am a struggling working 2 jobs raising my granddaughter single mama...

Just hoping to make it until income tax time when I can relieve the pressure for a few months at least...

Here is to hoping 2010 is full of surprises and bountifulness for all of us..At least enough to pay the bills and fill the pantry anyways

[maciascl]

I just have to say I am loving the positive energy we have going so far!!!

[LeighB]

Hi everyone! I hope this year brings great things.
After a less than stellar year, I decided to go into this year with a more positive attitude. I don't see our situation getting much better in the near future, in fact we are probably headed for rough times....but we still have things to be thankful for and I need to keep that in mind.

[Theia]

Hi Happy New Year everyone!

All is well with DD and I. I am getting ready to file an appeal for my disability income to see if it can be raised. Currently we are living comfortably on my original disability rating, but a little more would help. I've got massive student loan debt that I need to start paying on now that I am off of TANF. And now that I am off TANF my FS allowance will increase nearly $100! I am going to continue to be cautious in how I spend my money, keeping my expenses low and trying to save a bit at the same time.

I just want to wish everyone here finds a way to bring prosperity into their lives in 2010. In less than a years time I went from being homeless with only FS and TANF to live on while in shelters and transitional housing, to receiving a Sec8 voucher, renting a nice little apartment that I can easily afford and I get to stay home with my toddler DD full time and not work! It's a dream. Granted I've got lots of personal stuff I am in counseling for related to the abusive relationship I just got out of. I just kept reaching out for various resources and finally found the right people to help me get here. I feel like I am living way above poverty level yet my annual income (even if I get my appeal approved) is still well below $20k. It can be done, prosperity and abundance at any income level!

[GreenGranolaMama]

Hey Mamas! Subbing for the moment...

[zebra15]

HI, tonight I need to find my 'zen'.... the stress is beginning to build and that is NOT what I need right now. I think I will work in a crafty item.... Cross-stitch anyone?

[averysmomma05]

Hey guys! So I haven't been on here in awhile but I am back now! I love the support on this thread even under less then good times. Anyways, we lost food stamps last month because we were WAY above the income levels for the month of December because of the holidays my husband had alot of work and they count the overtime as income. He won't be getting overtime anymore since he works 8am-4pm and school 6pm-10pm so we have to go and apply AGAIN but I think we are going to try to scrap by until we can file taxes in 3 weeks. Anyways, hope everyone had a good holiday!

[waiting2bemommy]

So we got offered a place in the projects in Augusta, GA where I was living before I became totally homeless and had the worst two months of my life and had to come stay with familiy here in VA. I have no idea how this happened but apparently we were still on the list even though I'm not physically in GA, and I don't know whether to take the offer or not.

I have 30 days to get out of my parents' place and right now we don't have many options here, but I DO have a job until March (baby due in March/April and I don't plan to go back afterwards) and babydaddy/bf just moved up here three weeks ago to try and help me now that we're towards the end of the pregnancy. But we're not living together and the financial burden of maintaining two places to live is keeping us in this hole where we can't afford to move anywhere else.

I have no idea what to do.....should we move back to GA? I might be penniless but I'd have food stamps and a roof over my head no matter what. OTOH I have been hoping for a homebirth and I have a midwife and everything here. I know that should be the last of my worries right now but I really don't want to give that up and I HATE having to switch providers again so far into the pregnancy.

And then there's no guarantee that we'll find jobs right away if we go back although I have to admit my bf may have his shortcomings but he is not lazy (hello, he's been here three weeks, found a job and started working already and has another interview tomorrow) and I know he will pound pavement until he finds something.

I don't know what to do. It seems foolish to pass up free housing, but I dread the idea of another move, at 6 months pregnant. What do you all think? We've been on the waiting lists here in VA since ds was born and still haven't come up. We are 5 years away on the best housing complex and at least another year away for the worst one. We aren't even ON the waiting list for section 8 as it has been closed for some time.

[Leta]

MOVE. This is a godsend. Moving will suck, yes, and the job/homebirth stuff is a bummer, yes, but a subsidized apartment is a miracle. MOVE.

If you have a home and food stamps, things could be much, much worse.

[Theia]

waiting2bemommy

Originally Posted by Leta

MOVE. This is a godsend. Moving will suck, yes, and the job/homebirth stuff is a bummer, yes, but a subsidized apartment is a miracle. MOVE.

If you have a home and food stamps, things could be much, much worse.

I totally agree. I have to say that having my rent based on my income is what makes my life so much easier. And in my case (maybe your's too) if I were to lose my income, my rent would be reduced to $0 and I would still get to stay. Having also been homeless myself that is a huge relief to have that safety net. I am comfortable and can afford what I need, and even things I want. Rent used to eat such a big part of my income. Now its easily affordable and one less thing to stress on. And unless there is some law against it, you can homebirth in an apartment. I did until I had to transfer (so I didn't really) but I've read of other mama's on here who have HB in apartments.

[bjorker]

Anyone else excited for tax time? I cannot WAIT for our refund. DP is trying to make me go to a chiro and massages because I have such a bad back AND have been have non-stop headaches (literally, everyday) but I'm too scared to spend the money... it's just not there. So refund = relief, at least for now.

Also, does anyone have experience getting medicaid to pay for physical therapy, when it's "just" back/neck problems? I'm pregnant if it makes a difference. I have to call them anyway to find out what "limited dental coverage" means (man I hate calling DSHS, they're always SO RUDE and condescending!!!), but I thought I'd ask...

[Pariah]

I am so looking forward to tax time, too. I actually have all of my taxes done, I just have to wait until the 15th since that is the earliest date you can e-file. We're going to pay off bills and buy a bed! I am so excited. My son has a bed, but my boyfriend and I have been sleeping on the floor for eight months. We didn't want to buy a used mattress off of craigslist because we kept hearing about this epidemic of bed bugs and I'm squeamish about a used mattress anyway. Maybe that's silly, but oh well. We found a place that sells queen size beds for $260, a friend's roommate bought one and the quality is actually pretty decent.

[s_kristina]

Medicaid in FL will pay for whatever your doctor says you need. They also pay for chiro care here, but I have not been able to find a chiro in the entire Tampa area that will take anyone under the age of 18!

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by Peacemamalove

I am making a Vision board with the family this weekend. We are truly greatful for everything that has come into our lives and we are going to try real hard to stay positive and focused.

Happy new Year everyone..May this year be wonderful and prosperous for all of us!

We are making a vision board this weekend too!

Originally Posted by averysmomma05

Hey guys! So I haven't been on here in awhile but I am back now! I love the support on this thread even under less then good times. Anyways, we lost food stamps last month because we were WAY above the income levels for the month of December because of the holidays my husband had alot of work and they count the overtime as income. He won't be getting overtime anymore since he works 8am-4pm and school 6pm-10pm so we have to go and apply AGAIN but I think we are going to try to scrap by until we can file taxes in 3 weeks. Anyways, hope everyone had a good holiday!

Welcome back!!!!

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Happy New Year everyone!! I hope that 2010 is better than 2009!