Public Aid question

[bdavis337]

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[justmama]

I'm sorry. It does get easier to say and hear and know. Not much, but a little easier. Once he is no longer under the same roof you quality for things like food stamps and wic and medicaid. I think TANF too but I'm not positive. The same week my ex moved out I filed for food stamps and got a wic appt. We already had the medicaid. And when you have medicaid, they will go after medical support from the absent parent so that's a good way for you to get child support asap too. Once I notified medicaid about him moving out they sent me the paperwork for medical support. I authorized it(you have to unless there is good cause not to like abuse or such) and also authorized them to contact child support enforcement to file for support. It's been over 2 years since he moved out and we are slowly making our way to the top of the list for legal aid to file the divorce but we've had a support order for more than 2 years now since the baby was born. That child uspport enables me to stay home with our girls along with the medicaid and wic and food stamps. And eventually we will do the divorce too. But for now we are okay working like this. There's a box to check for "separated" on aid applications. You do not have to be legall separated in my state. Just know that if you are on medicaid or TANF, they will go after the absent parent for medical or child support. So don't be surprised. And you may want to give him the courtesy of knowing ahead of time because it's not up to you whether or not they do it. It just happens and you have to authorize them to do it or you get cut off the aid unless there is "good cause."

Good luck!

[Freedom~Mama]

Yep as soon as I was able to prove that he was no longer living with me I was able to get on FS and Medicaid and I am glad because it is helping a lot. I have no income and have been a SAHM so this is all a little scary for me.

I know how tough it is. My divorce is still not finalized and won't be for another month and a half or so and the whole process is just so draining and hard. You will get through it though. It gets a little easier each day. Some days are good and some are bad and I am trying to come to terms with that and be okay with it.

[bdavis337]

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[justmama]

you might be ookay with child support. have you checked an online calculator? just google whatever your state is and child support calculator. it's not exact but it can give you an idea of what to expect. you will probably still need public assistance but sometimes it doesn't make financial sense to work. case in point, my situation. I have three daughters and I priced an average of the daycares around here for full time for two and afterschool only for the oldest. Between $500-600 a week! Average jobs around here available to me if I could even find a job with our 12% unemployment rate would pay $10an hour 40 hours a week. See the problem? NOT gonna happen. So I stay home and make do with what we have. It covers rent and utilities and basically nothing else. But we've made it happen for 2 years. This coming fall when my 5 year old goes to kindergarten, I will be able to afford a job. Not easily, but it's much more feasible to work. I might take home $100 a week or so.

[bdavis337]

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[Theia]

There is also aid to subsidize childcare as well provided that the children are in care due to parents working. I've not used it, but I know it is there. I agree that the financial aspects are confusing.

Be sure to document everything right now and going forward. It might seem like an unnecessary thing, but it could come in handy later if there are disputes about stuff. Best wishes for you.