April 2010 Low Income Support Thread - Page 3

[TwinMomPlus]

Originally Posted by aslyn

Which is really stupid since I know I am eating like I am eating for 12!

Me too! LOL

Well I know the baby (fetus) counts here at least for WIC because when I was PG with the twins, we were counted as a family of 4 right away. As far as food stamps, I don't know for sure because I didn't ask. But, she asked who lived in the house and I told her so she repeated back the two kids and then I said yes and one on the way and she was like oh you're pregnant? And had me provide proof of pregnancy.

So FS can be used for formula? That would be a blessing b/c WIC ends at one year but when my twins are 12 months old, they will only be 10 months adjusted (since they were 2 months premature) and I want to keep them on formula until they are 12 months adjusted. But their formula is $25/can and lasts 2 days!

[aslyn]

Originally Posted by TwinMomPlus

Me too! LOL

Well I know the baby (fetus) counts here at least for WIC because when I was PG with the twins, we were counted as a family of 4 right away. As far as food stamps, I don't know for sure because I didn't ask. But, she asked who lived in the house and I told her so she repeated back the two kids and then I said yes and one on the way and she was like oh you're pregnant? And had me provide proof of pregnancy.

So FS can be used for formula? That would be a blessing b/c WIC ends at one year but when my twins are 12 months old, they will only be 10 months adjusted (since they were 2 months premature) and I want to keep them on formula until they are 12 months adjusted. But their formula is $25/can and lasts 2 days!

Yes FS can be used to buy formula as well as things like pediasure etc. There is a list somewhere I had bookmarked of all the things you can get with FS..Ill try to see if I can find it for you

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by TwinMomPlus

If you don't use all your FS money, does it roll over? We just got FS and so I am new to this. I thought it was a use it or lose it situation....?

Here they roll over for one month.

Originally Posted by waiting2bemommy

does anyone know where I can use EBT to buy some tomato plants? We now have a small area of yard and I really want to grow some fresh foods this summer, but we cannot afford to use cash for anything other than paying the bills and putting gas in the car.

Any place that takes FS.. you can also buy seeds!

[thatgirliknew]

OK. So I'm not sure why I didn't think of this before. I have a question for anyone who might be familiar with US Unemployment. DH was working for "Company A" through a temp agency. He had been there since December. They fired him because he was blind (yep, we're already in the process of filing a discrimination charge as well as for Disability). Temp agency said they may have a job in the near future but doesn't have one now. Can DH get unemployment since he was a temp? How long does a person have to work for a company before they can get unemployment? He worked for the same temp agency but a different company since Aug 09. Literally the day he lost his job at the first company the temp agency placed him in the next job, so he has been working for the temp agency consistently since August. Also, can I apply online somehow? because I have seen the lines at the unemployment office and they are hundreds of people out the door....

[aslyn]

Originally Posted by thatgirliknew

OK. So I'm not sure why I didn't think of this before. I have a question for anyone who might be familiar with US Unemployment. DH was working for "Company A" through a temp agency. He had been there since December. They fired him because he was blind (yep, we're already in the process of filing a discrimination charge as well as for Disability). Temp agency said they may have a job in the near future but doesn't have one now. Can DH get unemployment since he was a temp? How long does a person have to work for a company before they can get unemployment? He worked for the same temp agency but a different company since Aug 09. Literally the day he lost his job at the first company the temp agency placed him in the next job, so he has been working for the temp agency consistently since August. Also, can I apply online somehow? because I have seen the lines at the unemployment office and they are hundreds of people out the door....

I used to work as a recruiter for a temp service, and at that time, you could not file for unemployment if you worked through a temp service. The temp service could keep you up to 180 days then the company would either choose to hire you or not, but you had to be an employee of the company for 6 months before filing for unemployment. That was 6 yrs ago, so the laws may have changed..I would call unemployment to find out. Can't hurt to try

[leavemealone]

Originally Posted by thatgirliknew

OK. So I'm not sure why I didn't think of this before. I have a question for anyone who might be familiar with US Unemployment. DH was working for "Company A" through a temp agency. He had been there since December. They fired him because he was blind (yep, we're already in the process of filing a discrimination charge as well as for Disability). Temp agency said they may have a job in the near future but doesn't have one now. Can DH get unemployment since he was a temp? How long does a person have to work for a company before they can get unemployment? He worked for the same temp agency but a different company since Aug 09. Literally the day he lost his job at the first company the temp agency placed him in the next job, so he has been working for the temp agency consistently since August. Also, can I apply online somehow? because I have seen the lines at the unemployment office and they are hundreds of people out the door....

Checek with your state. I have filed (and received) unemployment twice after two temps jobs have ended. I had to meet the requirements of X number of weeks of work, X amount of hours, etc but I was able to receive unemployment. Both of my temp jobs were long term assignments (one was about 7 months, one was 12 months) but as long as he has the minimum number of hours/weeks of work with a certain time frame, he could be able to file. I know my recruiter never told me about being able to file unemployment (and why would they?), but a co-worker who was also a temp told me about it. I would say to file and see what happens. The worst the state can say is "NO".

[Satori]

Originally Posted by thatgirliknew

OK. So I'm not sure why I didn't think of this before. I have a question for anyone who might be familiar with US Unemployment. DH was working for "Company A" through a temp agency. He had been there since December. They fired him because he was blind (yep, we're already in the process of filing a discrimination charge as well as for Disability). Temp agency said they may have a job in the near future but doesn't have one now. Can DH get unemployment since he was a temp? How long does a person have to work for a company before they can get unemployment? He worked for the same temp agency but a different company since Aug 09. Literally the day he lost his job at the first company the temp agency placed him in the next job, so he has been working for the temp agency consistently since August. Also, can I apply online somehow? because I have seen the lines at the unemployment office and they are hundreds of people out the door....

I have NEVER stood in line, I don't even know where the UI office is even though I have gotten UI several times. I just called them or did it online (can't remember which). My ex only did long term temp work for years and he still managed to get UI every time his assignment ended.

[zacharysmom]

[QUOTE=TwinMomPlus;15281990]Me too! LOL



So FS can be used for formula? That would be a blessing b/c WIC ends at one year but when my twins are 12 months old, they will only be 10 months adjusted (since they were 2 months premature) and I want to keep them on formula until they are 12 months adjusted. But their formula is $25/can and lasts 2 days![/QUOTE
please ask about this my son was on formula till 18 months on WIC i did need a dr's script but with it they did pay for it. it was years ago but like i said ASK all they can say is no

[leavemealone]

Originally Posted by TwinMomPlus

So FS can be used for formula? That would be a blessing b/c WIC ends at one year but when my twins are 12 months old, they will only be 10 months adjusted (since they were 2 months premature) and I want to keep them on formula until they are 12 months adjusted. But their formula is $25/can and lasts 2 days!

Yes, formula is food. As zacharysmom indicated, as at WIC about formula past one year of age since your twins were a bit early. A friend of my DH's had triplets about three months early and they received WIC formula past age one. I don't know at what point it stopped (or if it has yet b/c I'm not sure of their ages), but I know they were past age one. You'd probably need a drs note, but it's worth a try if your children benefit from it.

[TwinMomPlus]

Our WIC could not care less. They are the most miserable bunch of women you would ever have the misfortune of meeting.

At 6 months of age, the formula amount decreases and they start giving you checks for solids. But my twins weren't on solids yet and I had a note from my doctor stating such and that they required only formula until they reached 6 months adjusted and it also stated the amount of formula they currently drink. But WIC didn't care. They just kept stating it was standard and only supplemental.

I HATE our WIC office. They get pleasure out of making you feel like crap, I am convinced! And I normally see the good in everyone but they really bring ya down. I have had so many problems with them. Like they will only send the checks for one baby so I have to make an appointment to go in and get the checks for the forgotten child but they can't squeeze you in until 2 weeks away and then you sit there 2 hours. Ugh! Of course they never apologize either.

[Ianthe]

Originally Posted by TwinMomPlus

Our WIC could not care less. They are the most miserable bunch of women you would ever have the misfortune of meeting.

At 6 months of age, the formula amount decreases and they start giving you checks for solids. But my twins weren't on solids yet and I had a note from my doctor stating such and that they required only formula until they reached 6 months adjusted and it also stated the amount of formula they currently drink. But WIC didn't care. They just kept stating it was standard and only supplemental.

I HATE our WIC office. They get pleasure out of making you feel like crap, I am convinced! And I normally see the good in everyone but they really bring ya down. I have had so many problems with them. Like they will only send the checks for one baby so I have to make an appointment to go in and get the checks for the forgotten child but they can't squeeze you in until 2 weeks away and then you sit there 2 hours. Ugh! Of course they never apologize either.

That stinks! I love my WIC clinic.. they are wonderful! Of course, I worked there as the BF peer counselor, so I guess that gave me an advantage of having their respect.

[leavemealone]

Originally Posted by TwinMomPlus

Our WIC could not care less. They are the most miserable bunch of women you would ever have the misfortune of meeting.

At 6 months of age, the formula amount decreases and they start giving you checks for solids. But my twins weren't on solids yet and I had a note from my doctor stating such and that they required only formula until they reached 6 months adjusted and it also stated the amount of formula they currently drink. But WIC didn't care. They just kept stating it was standard and only supplemental.

I HATE our WIC office. They get pleasure out of making you feel like crap, I am convinced! And I normally see the good in everyone but they really bring ya down. I have had so many problems with them. Like they will only send the checks for one baby so I have to make an appointment to go in and get the checks for the forgotten child but they can't squeeze you in until 2 weeks away and then you sit there 2 hours. Ugh! Of course they never apologize either.

Is there another WIC office you can go to? I was just in and out of a coupon pickup in about 30 minutes the other day. The intake clerk at the one I go to is a bit unpleasant, but the other lady I have seen wasn't too bad. She offered no explanation as to why the maximum package isn't given when I asked her, but whatever. I assume it's so they can meet the needs of the county that they have to give less than the max. The only thing I would like more of is juice and it's so not worth it to deal with them on that. I did ask about how the package for me would change after the baby is born and I said something about the cheese and canned meat. She looked at me like I was crazy and as if they'd never given anyone that before.

[Satori]

[QUOTE=zacharysmom;15288616]

Originally Posted by TwinMomPlus

Me too! LOL



So FS can be used for formula? That would be a blessing b/c WIC ends at one year but when my twins are 12 months old, they will only be 10 months adjusted (since they were 2 months premature) and I want to keep them on formula until they are 12 months adjusted. But their formula is $25/can and lasts 2 days![/QUOTE
please ask about this my son was on formula till 18 months on WIC i did need a dr's script but with it they did pay for it. it was years ago but like i said ASK all they can say is no

WIC will pay for formula all the way up to age 5 with a Dr's note and a reason why.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by sandcastle

Is there another WIC office you can go to? I was just in and out of a coupon pickup in about 30 minutes the other day. The intake clerk at the one I go to is a bit unpleasant, but the other lady I have seen wasn't too bad. She offered no explanation as to why the maximum package isn't given when I asked her, but whatever. I assume it's so they can meet the needs of the county that they have to give less than the max. The only thing I would like more of is juice and it's so not worth it to deal with them on that. I did ask about how the package for me would change after the baby is born and I said something about the cheese and canned meat. She looked at me like I was crazy and as if they'd never given anyone that before.

I had to think what the heck you were talking about, the canned meat is tuna They used to give an obscene about of juice, now its more reasonable. The stuff really is just empty calories and shouldn't be a major part of your diet.

[leavemealone]

Originally Posted by Satori

I had to think what the heck you were talking about, the canned meat is tuna They used to give an obscene about of juice, now its more reasonable. The stuff really is just empty calories and shouldn't be a major part of your diet.

We each get one bottle of juice per month (so three in total), but three people are allocated 6 gallons of milk per month. We mostly drink water in our house and any juice is watered down. I don't even get all the milk b/c there's no way we can consume that much in one month, even if the other two people in the family help consume it (DH and a 9 year old DD). My kids also seem to alternate months when they receive eggs and one of my kids doesn't receive peanut butter at all. We also receive less than the max of fruits/veggies. I'm not complaining, but I have heard from someone in a neighboring county that they receive a lot more in their package. Perhaps my county has more people on WIC and does not provide the maximum package to allow for more people to be on the program. That is fine with me, but the lady looked at me as if they'd never had a person on the fully breastfeeding package before.

The canned fish includes light tuna, salmon, sardines, and mackerel as options. Although, at 30 oz being the max provided per month, I doubt I could (or would) eat that much, but the lady looked at me like I was crazy when I asked about it. She hesitantly acknowledged the cheese, but didn't address the canned meat.

[frugalmama]

Is there another WIC clinic you can go to?

The one you are is not following the federal guidelines on WIC & needs turned in - it's illegal to do what they are doing. There should be a 1-800 number for your states WIC department you can call and report them - I had to do it with my last clinic here.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by sandcastle

We each get one bottle of juice per month (so three in total), but three people are allocated 6 gallons of milk per month. We mostly drink water in our house and any juice is watered down. I don't even get all the milk b/c there's no way we can consume that much in one month, even if the other two people in the family help consume it (DH and a 9 year old DD). My kids also seem to alternate months when they receive eggs and one of my kids doesn't receive peanut butter at all. We also receive less than the max of fruits/veggies. I'm not complaining, but I have heard from someone in a neighboring county that they receive a lot more in their package. Perhaps my county has more people on WIC and does not provide the maximum package to allow for more people to be on the program. That is fine with me, but the lady looked at me as if they'd never had a person on the fully breastfeeding package before.

The canned fish includes light tuna, salmon, sardines, and mackerel as options. Although, at 30 oz being the max provided per month, I doubt I could (or would) eat that much, but the lady looked at me like I was crazy when I asked about it. She hesitantly acknowledged the cheese, but didn't address the canned meat.

Thats not right, you need to go up the chain. They can't alter the packages like that.

For us, for my 3 yr old we get:

3.5 Gal milk (or same amount of soy milk)
1lb cheese (or 2 packages of Tofu, we used to get the soy package)
2 - 16oz grains (we usually get brown rice and corn tortillas)
$6 in fruits and veggies
36oz cereal
2 - 64oz bottles of juice or 2 frozen
1 doz eggs
16oz dry beans, peas, lentils or peanut butter (kinda burns me that we can't get the canned beans that's in the WIC book, only homeless can get those. Were at high altitude and its literally an all day thing cooking beans (even after over night soaking or the 2 min boil and soak thing) and forget the crockpot, even after 24 hours on high there still crunchy!)

Here we go, http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/benefits...allowances.HTM this is what the federal gov says you should be getting and no there not allowed to give you less the that.

[leavemealone]

Originally Posted by Satori

Thats not right, you need to go up the chain. They can't alter the packages like that.
.
.
.
Here we go, http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/benefits...allowances.HTM this is what the federal gov says you should be getting and no there not allowed to give you less the that.

Really? This is my first time on WIC, but I do seem to remember someone I know saying that food packages could be altered depending on funding and how many people were on the program. Of course, she could have been told wrong information as well. I was so tempted to call and report the intake clerk that I had to deal with. The state sends out an appt reminder card and she refused to accept some of the information on the card and insisted on seeing other information. She was also shocked when I answered that I had a bachelor's degree when she asked me how many years of eduction I had completed. As if people on WIC don't have college degrees? Like I said, the intake clerk wasn't very pleasant to deal with.

Anyway, I looked at my checks for May and this is what we are due to receive:

Me (not sure I am classified as pregnant or postpartum for May since I am due April 22): 36 oz cereal, 18 oz peanut butter, 2 gallons milk, 64 oz juice, 16 oz whole grains, 1 doz eggs, $10 fruit/veggies [which is higher than I have received in the past. I just looked at my April check that I haven't used yet and it's only $8. Mine also alternate months when I receive peanut butter - I received none in April]

Our 3.5 year old: 36 oz cereal, 2 gallons milk, 32 oz whole grains, 64 oz juice, dozen eggs, $6 fruit/veggie [didn't receive eggs one month, no peanut butter in May - he received it in April]

Our almost 1.5 year old: 36 oz cereal, 2 gallons milk, 32 oz whole grains, 64 oz juice, doz eggs, $6 fruit/veggies. [no eggs in April, has never received peanut butter at all since we started in Jan - he turned one in Dec]

[TwinMomPlus]

Well we used to get the max of 10 cans per baby. But then they turned 6 months old and they said it was standard to give less formula and more baby food jars. So now we get 8 cans per baby and I don't know how many jars of baby food because DH usually is in charge of buying formula.

So you are saying it is illegal for them to not give me what my doctor says they need?

[chely7425]

I would go up the chain, that doesn't seem right. Our older son was on formula till he was 14 months old and WIC gave us that with a doctors prescription.