What a joke

[jfg]

I've never been a person to accept government handouts but right now I'm in a place where I need something. My wife is just out of law school and unemployed with no real leads on jobs despite applying for a lot. So together, we're bringing in my 12.35 salary a month with a lot of other things happening as well money-wise. Awesome. So, I decided after going to the grocery store tonight and after seeing how little I can get with the money I have, to look into food stamps. As it turns out, making what equates to two people making minimum wage isn't enough to qualify- not even close. I've never asked for a government handout once in my life- not even for college and when I need one I can't get one. Maybe I should have a kid to qualify or quit my job and work at McDonalds. What a joke.

[JTWood]

Sorry to hear about the rough times, man.

What part of the country do you live in?

[jfg]

I live in MN.

I don't know, I guess I'm kind of glad that it's hard to get it, but I have big issues with the fact that having kids is the best way to get on government programs. It encourages people to pop out kids and raise them in poverty. My parents are both teachers and half of their students are on the free lunch program.

[knapplc]

Sorry you're going through a rough time, jfg. I hope it's not a long cycle of economic trouble for you. Good luck, and here's hoping she finds something soon.

[JTWood]

I live in MN.

I don't know, I guess I'm kind of glad that it's hard to get it, but I have big issues with the fact that having kids is the best way to get on government programs. It encourages people to pop out kids and raise them in poverty. My parents are both teachers and half of their students are on the free lunch program.

Hopefully, there are some locals here that might know of a position your wife could take.

[Yoda]

Ugh sorry to hear about your situation. I agree with what you are saying though. You can just imagine the hoard of illegals who take advantage of our system.

Good luck with your endeavors.

[Madison]

Sorry to hear about the rough times. Hopefully it will get better soon.

[Omaha Red Sox]

Don't assume that if you have a kid or two that the government will automatically give you free stuff. My dad left us when I was 2, my brother was 1, and my mom didn't have a job when this happened. She got one, but it didn't pay well, so each month she basically had to choose which utility or "necessity" we were going to have to go without. Why? Because she "made too much". I don't get how some of these programs work, only that there seems to be people who really know how to get around it and "benefit" from it. Sorry to hear about this rough stretch of your life, but when you make it through, you guys will be better for it.

[Inukchuk]

I don't get how some of these programs work, only that there seems to be people who really know how to get around it and "benefit" from it.

Yeah, I'll never forget getting out of work in college around midnight and getting gas at a mini mart. I went in to pay, and these 2 ladies who were obviously high on something plopped this huge pile of junk food and cigarettes on the counter. The guy gave them their total, and they asked if they could pay with food stamps. Sure, no problem...

Sorry to hear about this rough stretch of your life, but when you make it through, you guys will be better for it.

Totally agree here. You can't keep a good man down.

[urbanbreez]

I don't get how some of these programs work, only that there seems to be people who really know how to get around it and "benefit" from it.

Yeah, I'll never forget getting out of work in college around midnight and getting gas at a mini mart. I went in to pay, and these 2 ladies who were obviously high on something plopped this huge pile of junk food and cigarettes on the counter. The guy gave them their total, and they asked if they could pay with food stamps. Sure, no problem...

Sorry to hear about this rough stretch of your life, but when you make it through, you guys will be better for it.

Totally agree here. You can't keep a good man down.

Dude, you can't buy cigarettes with food stamps and if not for the "free lunches" given out at school, many kids wouldn't get a square meal at all. I should know, I was one of them.

I knew a kid at my college that got food stamps throughout the whole thing, in addition to all the government aid he was getting in the form of school grants. He dressed up like a bum -- seriously, he did -- and went into the food stamp office complaining of starvation and hunger pains. Call it what you want but he ate like a King while all I could manage was Top Ramen. At the very least, it was enterprising.