Fall 2011 Low Income Support Thread - Page 3

[Mommy2Austin]

Finally hopping in the new thread.

Food Stamps renewal finally processed. We are officially getting $728 a month for food stamps. I can finally feed my family on more than noodles and cereal.

Everything has worked out thus far with keeping afloat until my retirement account can be cashed out in December. I'm ready to be in the black again.

[averysmomma05]

yes she is in kindy now and she was approved for reduced lunch but I got a letter in the mail saying since we get FS she would get free it just started last week thank god. We still have to pay for or provide a snack and juice daily though. Which is a lot better then the 3.00 a day we had to pay for sure!
 

Originally Posted by CrunchyClark 

Originally Posted by averysmomma05 

Is your 5 yo in kindy? If so, the fs would automatically qualify her for free school lunch (which you were probably already getting...but it makes the paperwork easy from what I hear--FS sends you a letter that you take in vs having to do paperwork). 

[orangecanoe]

Jumping in this thread---I often just read along and as I'm not on MDC as often as I used to be.

Our FS went up (doubled) at the end of the Summer and I find myself not using most of them. When I start working (hoping by end November) I'm guessing they might go down. What kinds of things would you or do you find meaningful to stock up on?

[foxsmama]

October has been a good month for our family so far. DH found a full time job, and we have secured a 2 bedroom apartment. We are getting packed and ready to move next week (hopefully) !!!!!!

[Amylcd]

Originally Posted by foxsmama 

October has been a good month for our family so far. DH found a full time job, and we have secured a 2 bedroom apartment. We are getting packed and ready to move next week (hopefully) !!!!!!

That's wonderful!

[Amylcd]

I'm still waiting to hear back about the fs and medicaid application I put in a couple of weeks ago.   I did receive a letter that they would contact me by the 12th.

[zebra15]

I would stock up on pantry staples.  However, my food stamp card will 'roll' the balance for several months so double check with your FS office. You may not need to use all the money every month.  Even when the monthly allotment changes I can keep an old balance and use that.

Back to stocking up.  Anything that keeps and isn't perishable AND that you eat.  I know we go through tons of pastas, tuna, breakfast items, olives, sauces, baking stuff.

Originally Posted by orangecanoe 

Jumping in this thread---I often just read along and as I'm not on MDC as often as I used to be.
Our FS went up (doubled) at the end of the Summer and I find myself not using most of them. When I start working (hoping by end November) I'm guessing they might go down. What kinds of things would you or do you find meaningful to stock up on?

[maciascl]

Originally Posted by zebra15 

I would stock up on pantry staples.  However, my food stamp card will 'roll' the balance for several months so double check with your FS office. You may not need to use all the money every month.  Even when the monthly allotment changes I can keep an old balance and use that.

My worker told me that once it is put on the card it is yours they won't take it back. Some here have said that if you don't use the card for 12 months the balance is cleared. I keep a balance on mine so that when ever we are no longer receiveing FS we have a cushion.

[averysmomma05]

So we sold my husbands truck because things were just that bad. Not even 12 hrs later some of my FA and student loans went into my bank account. Sigh. I felt TERRIBLE that we sold his truck and if it would have just deposited a day earlier we wouldn't have sold it. Crap happens though. On that note I paid all our bills for the month and we FINALLY have FOOD!! It feels so wonderful and it keeps my daughters anxiety down. (She has to see cabinets full of food, fridge, freezer etc or she panics. We can't figure out why and her dr thinks maybe just a side effect of her meds or something.

[averysmomma05]

Originally Posted by Mommy2Austin 

Finally hopping in the new thread.

Food Stamps renewal finally processed. We are officially getting $728 a month for food stamps. I can finally feed my family on more than noodles and cereal.

Everything has worked out thus far with keeping afloat until my retirement account can be cashed out in December. I'm ready to be in the black again.

I am glad things are working out for you! I know the wonderful feeling of being able to feed your kids things besides noodles.

[averysmomma05]

I hope you hear back from FS and medicaid soon.. I know that feeling of having to wait! it sucks.

Originally Posted by Amylcd 

I'm still waiting to hear back about the fs and medicaid application I put in a couple of weeks ago.   I did receive a letter that they would contact me by the 12th.

[maciascl]

Does anyone know where we find out about the Holiday Helper thread? I can never find it. Do you know when they are starting sign ups?

[mylilmonkeys]

Originally Posted by maciascl 

Does anyone know where we find out about the Holiday Helper thread? I can never find it. Do you know when they are starting sign ups?

I hadn't joined MDC yet last holiday season.  What is Holiday Helper?

[carmel23]

this month is really hard for my family.  ugh. I keep thinking things will get better. :(

[zebra15]

Originally Posted by maciascl 

Does anyone know where we find out about the Holiday Helper thread? I can never find it. Do you know when they are starting sign ups?

I saw in the Q&A they were trying to organize it.  With all the changes at MDC they are still 'working on it.'

[Amylcd]

We were approved for $211 in foodstamps and will receive medicaid for the kids.  DH gets laid off each December so at that time the amount will hopefully increase.... but for now, this is going to be such a huge help each month!

[Nursingnaturalmom]

last year holiday helper was only for members that were active for the whole year AND had 5,000 or 500 posts I can never rembmer

CHandi

[forestmushroom]

.

[Amylcd]

Originally Posted by Nursingnaturalmom 

last year holiday helper was only for members that were active for the whole year AND had 5,000 or 500 posts I can never rembmer

CHandi

5,000 seems excessive.  I've been here for 6+ years and have yet to reach that! lol

[carmel23]

Originally Posted by Amylcd 

5,000 seems excessive.  I've been here for 6+ years and have yet to reach that! lol

I think it is 1,000 posts and on the board for a year-- I think you just have to achieve 'senior member' status.