Going off public assistance--should I?

[RosemaryS-F]

(This is x posted in Finding your Tribe Massachusetts.)

Hi there, I hope to get some support and information. My family has been getting reimbursed from the Mass Health program for our health insurance for the last 2 years, to the tune of about $570/mo. I have a little one and was not working. We also have gotten fuel assistance for our family which is about $800/year.
I have recently been offered a job as a personal chef, something I've done off and on over the last 4 years. This would increase our income (to about 1K/month after the groceries, etc.) and my husband is really upset because he doesn't want to lose the benefits. My opinion is that these programs are great for people who really need them, but if you can work and get off of them, that is a good choice.
I think I would lose the health benefits but I can't find any information on exactly what I need to make to get assistance. Does anyone have that information? We are a family of 3. With the tax return, the fuel and govt check for insurance, we've been bringing in $12,350 extra a year (which we needed.) I retch at the thought of being someone that is getting the welfare check because it pays better than a job--especially in these times. I can't seem to convince DH of this, but I am trying. But he's right...it would be me earning that money as opposed to getting it free...
Any thoughts? Opinions? Please no flames?

[alicia622]

I think the calculations for benefits are so complicated you won't find any guidelines online. I would make appts to speak with each program to see how taking a job changes the benefits. You might end up still getting some- maybe a reduced amount, but they may not end totally.

[HeatherAtHome]

With the job, you have a possibility of moving onward and upward. The first year you might be 'breaking even' but then you should get raises, you might earn extra benefits, it will give you experience that could lead to an even better job... Who knows, maybe you'd end up opening your own restaurant someday!

Assuming you like the work, I say go for it!

[sunsetdancer]

I think the ultimate goal should be to get off assistance. If you have the chance for a good job that will allow that, you should do it. I think you will have to talk to someone in person about how it will affect the assistance you currently receive.

[SeekingJoy]

As you do your calculations, be sure to compare how much you will clear in two similar scenarios. You don't want to be in a situation where you have a job, lose the subsidy, but still can't afford private health insurance, which likely will be more than the $570 per month for your family.

[TiredX2]

I am not going to say what you *should* or *shouldn't* do, but I do want you to know that there are a LOT of people out here who have absolutely, 100% no problem with you getting the benifits you are currently using.

Is the job steady? If you take it, loose your benifits and then loose the job will you be able to get your insurance back quickly? Or is there a long line/you wouldn't qualify any more?

You seem concerned with taking "welfare" but just think about the fact that you can write off up to $1million in home mortgage interest--- so about $300,000. For me, I would rather have my tax money going to your family's health insurance than allowing someone to afford a multi-million dollar home. That could just be me, though

Do what is right for your family. Make sure it is going to be something that you enjoy AND that you are going to come out ahead financially. Are you remembering that you will probably need to pay the entire 16% FICA taxes yourself? Adjusting for going into a higher tax bracket? etc...

Good luck!

[neetling]

Originally Posted by TiredX2

I am not going to say what you *should* or *shouldn't* do, but I do want you to know that there are a LOT of people out here who have absolutely, 100% no problem with you getting the benifits you are currently using.

Is the job steady? If you take it, loose your benifits and then loose the job will you be able to get your insurance back quickly? Or is there a long line/you wouldn't qualify any more?

You seem concerned with taking "welfare" but just think about the fact that you can write off up to $1million in home mortgage interest--- so about $300,000. For me, I would rather have my tax money going to your family's health insurance than allowing someone to afford a multi-million dollar home. That could just be me, though

Do what is right for your family. Make sure it is going to be something that you enjoy AND that you are going to come out ahead financially. Are you remembering that you will probably need to pay the entire 16% FICA taxes yourself? Adjusting for going into a higher tax bracket? etc...

Good luck!

ITA with this. I would only only ONLY do it if you were able to keep health insurance in some form. My kids have good coverage through my husband's employer, but also qualify for medicaid. I keep them enrolled in both because we have a child who ends up in the hospital a few times a year and it would wreck us financially.

[RosemaryS-F]

Thank you. Here's more detail and also I think I resolved this. Our health insurance isn't state insurance itself; it comes with the job. The gov't pays us a check to cover it monthly. So we wouldn't lose health insurance; we live in MA where it's mandatory and has been for 3 years or so.
I am only going to cook for these people two meals a week, and the income from that is enough to really help stabilize us but not to affect our taxes (I'll likely show a loss after the commute and the groceries. However since I will do errands I'd normally do along the commute--hitting farms and seeing my sister, etc.--I'll be able to write that stuff off. So I think it's a good compromise and my DH is very happy about it!
As for taking assistance, I just really have no problem taking it if I qualify, but I had a hard time with the fact that there would be no financial benefit for us if I worked...