Welfare

April - posted on 04/02/2010

i do feel that it's selfish tho. it was selfish to have my son without experience in the work force and without being truly financially ready. i just wanted a baby so darn bad and didn't see the living situation improving anytime soon.

i didn't want my biological clock to run out

April - posted on 04/02/2010

ah.. i am not on welfare, nor do i receive WIC. but i do receive social security and it's my only money once a month at around 600 dollars.

My husband has a job but only works when he gets called in to....but some weeks are better than others. (one week he can make just 100 dollars and another week he can make 1,000. but that's rare!!)

we had our son even though we weren't financially stable. we lived with his parents and still were barely making ends meet even though we were living there rent-free.

so i would have to say that if we were ever to go on welfare, i'd probably have another child. but somehow in the course of a year, my husband always makes just enough so that we never ever qualify for anything. (got wic last year but only qualified by 1 dollar)

Lyndsay - posted on 04/01/2010

Hmm.. well, speaking as someone who got pregnant while on welfare (my only child) and is primarily living off of student loans, I gotta say that sometimes things happen and I don't think a welfare check should be the only deterrant if you want to abort or whatever. I definitely don't think a person should intentionally try to have more kids if they are on welfare, unless they are actually making an effort to improve the situation. There are a lot of jobs out there that pay less than welfare, so to me a government check is preferable to working a shitty job for less money. It's all about what you do with your free time... if you are like improving your education, for example, so that *one day* you can not be a welfare bum, I think thats okay.

Nicole - posted on 02/13/2010

Pretty funny story to tell: I have 4 children (all unplanned) and have received assistance since losing my very good paying job to downsizing while on maternity leave after the birth of my second child. So, since we just had our fourth (unplanned) on Medicaid we realized a vasectomy would be good (since we are obviously very bad at preventing pregnancy)! LOL No more for us!

Liane - posted on 02/13/2010

No way! IMO it is totally irresponsible to grow your family if you are currently unable to meet the needs of the family you already have and have sought government assistance. Accidents can and do happen, but to plan a pregnancy while on welfare, wic, foodstamps, etc. really just feeds the stereotypes that some believe of folks on these programs (irresponsible, entitled, ignorant, lazy, etc.)

I think that government should stick to running our country, not operating as a charity. Welfare is a joke in it's current state. What was initially designed as a program to help people get a leg up in hard times is no longer. When did so many Americans start feeling that it was the goverments job to take care of them? And that the government "owed" them something for living here. It's because of people like this that the system has been abused and corrupted for so long. Too many people live off the system and it needs to be overhauled. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about helping out those less fortunate than myself but that is my personal choice. I select the charities I feel will use my money to help the most people, responsibly.

That being said, there are still numerous people out there who use these programs legitimately and don't abuse them. It's a shame that good people who could benefit from these "temporary" programs cannot get them because of others who are abusing them.

Heather - posted on 02/13/2010

Quianna, you are absolutely right...in the area that I live, a single mother with one child can make $2000/month and still be eligible for WIC and healthy start (medicaid). That means that there are ALOT of women eligible as the average wage for a single mother in this area is only $10/hour. Now, in order to recieve any other benefits, such as food stamps or a check, the eligibility guidelines are way lower and you have to live in absolute poverty to qualify, and even then there is the welfare to work program, where if you recieve a welfare check, you are actually appointed to work by the govt. and if you dont report to work, you dont get a check. I also know that there is a time frame to which you can get benefits. I think that the govt. has put some policies in place to cut down on abuse of the system.

Quianna - posted on 02/11/2010

There are people who do abuse the system and take advantage of certain programs that were meant to HELP families get on their feet- NOT carry them for the rest of their lives. That's what I tend to get most upset about because there are people who genuinely need the assistance for a little while and then are done with it once they're established. As far as people having children while on these programs- that's their decision and their life- I cannot judge the next person because I know I'm not perfect.
Now the last time I checked WIC- was for Woman, Infants & Children. A LOT of people actually qualify for it but wouldn't know it because they automatically assume it's welfare and it's not. (I was one of those people who thought the same thing) It's a program for moms and expectant moms to get some of the essential foods for their children & themselves.

Heather - posted on 02/09/2010

I think you need to look into why taxes are being raised...its NOT because of "people like me" or welfare at all... but people like you, like to blame people like me, and the thousands of other families who need a little help to get through these hard times...I'm happy that you are blessed and have everything you need without the assistance of govt. programs and I hope you never need them. As for working hard...I work 40+ hrs a week. I have worked hard for everything I have, and I have no debt and unlike most Americans, I refuse to use credit cards to live on when times are tough...I dont even own one. I also worked my butt off while going to nursing school and payed my own way without the use of ANY student loans or grants. Sorry but it really offends me when you assume that I am lazy and dont work hard! Unfortunatly, I live in ohio, near Youngstown which is one of the most depressed areas in the US. I make significantly less than most nurses anywhere else in the country. Why are you so angry that I am getting help...so angry that you wont donate to the poor? I am financially eligible to receive these benefits..I'm not scamming the system...I am just trying to get by and I dont appreciate people telling me that I should not have another child because I get WIC. I hope that you never fall on hard times and have to get help...I know a few people who were once big shots at GM and easily made six figure salaries...and they are now on some form of welfare, and have lost their homes to foreclosure. I am sure they looked down on welfare recipients and the poor too...

Jane - posted on 02/09/2010

People like you are the reason that our taxes keep getting raised, to subsidize these programs. This is also the reason I don't like "donating" to the poor. I guess some people just feel like they're owed something & don't want to put in the hard work to get what they want.

Heather - posted on 02/09/2010

Jane, I guess I really dont care...I do my part by paying my taxes. Welfare is only a small part of our countrys HUGE budget deficit. Welfare, social security, healthcare etc. attribute to about 5% where National defense is something like 58%. It's not that we can't afford to have children, we could afford to have another child and not get WIC or Healthy Start, it is more of the fact that these 2 things free up a little more cash for us on a month to month basis for other things we need...I dont know what you people think WIC provides...we get 6 cans of powdered formula and 36 jars of babyfood a month...this does not last for the month so we still have to buy food...but it helps out. Healthy Start for my son is the only form of insurance that we can afford as we are both self employed and cant afford to pay $700 a month for insurance, and still have a co-pay. So as long as we are eligible to recieve these benefits, we will continue to get them, and I dont really care what other people think about our decisions for our family..they are ours to make whether you agree or not.

Jane - posted on 02/09/2010

Heather I agree w/ you about the bailouts, wars, ect. but don't you think you are contributing to the problem when you are purposely having more chidren when you can't afford them & therefore need welfare. Shouldn't we try to help by doing our part?

Heather - posted on 02/08/2010

My son was a surprise...I was newly divorced and 33. I had to move out of my house to an apartment, my ex took the car, so I had to buy a new one. my sons father was not yet living with me and even though I was working full time as a nurse, I was struggling. My current job does not offer health insurance and we cant afford to pay for it ourselves. My son gets his healthcare through the govt. and he gets WIC...these two things save us a ton of money on a month to month basis, and I dont feel a bad in the least for taking advantage of government programs that I am eligible for! I have been working full time since I was 18 and have payed my taxes...Please, if you want to get mad about people taking advantage of the govt. why dont you get pissed at the big bank bailouts, or the Billions spent on this unnecessary war. If you are upset about your tax dollars being taken advantage of, there are wayyyy bigger fish to fry than struggling families on welfare...welfare is just the tip of the iceburg! Oh and we are now trying to get pregnant, and if I am eligible, I will continue to get healthcare and WIC assistance, and not feel bad at all.

Heather - posted on 02/08/2010

Let's all just admit it...the welfare system, tax system, and goverment regulations of them are all messed up! There are people abusing it, people using it, and people who can't get what they need! What one person does wrong, doesn't make it right for another to do it all in the name of "fairness." LIFE"S NOT FAIR!! it's not for the government nor anyone else to dictate when we can or can't have kids. I personally wouldn't do it if I didn't think I could provide my child's needs - yet accidents happen all the time - and yet I know in my heart that if I had a child I would MAKE things happen no matter what the cost! If I were embarrassed about being on welfare...don't tell your kid you were on it...just guide them so they don't ever have to make the decision to be on it. Teach them to make things better for themselves and not about taking from other what they can't afford!!

Kelly - posted on 02/08/2010

I see what Jane was trying to say. I pay all of my taxes too, and I am not entitled to ANY of the assistance programs in the US--Not even WIC or Medicaid. We do not have medical insurance b/c we cannot afford it due to a "past condition"--If you've ever been sick before, even if you aren't anymore, health insurance will run around $800/month.
WIC and Medicaid ARE wellfare--anything that is paid for by all taxpayers but only available to a few is welfare. These programs were designed to help people who could not financially support their families, so, yes, I think it is very irresponsible to have more children when you cannot financially support the family you already have.

Welfare is also designed to be temporary--Those receiving benefits are supposed to be able to get on their feet in 3-5 years. I don't think it is too much to ask recipients to wait 3-5 years before growing a family if they cannot support them without help.

Jane - posted on 02/07/2010

My point of asking that is just because people pay taxes doesn't mean they are entitled to stay on welfare forever & keep putting themselves in the same situation by purposely having more kids. These programs are put in place to help people get on their feet or back on their feet not to keep putting themselves in the same situation over & over again. Some people that abuse the system don't intend on bettering themselves but to keep collecting from the goverenment because they believe that they've "earned" it by paying their little bit of taxes. Use the system to go back to school & get a better job so that you can help others that may be going thru a hard time instead of keep having kids that you can't support yourself.

C. - posted on 02/07/2010

No, Jane. If someone is paying more taxes, that means they have a higher paying job and can most-likely provide for their family just fine W/O assistance. The whole idea behind all these assistance programs like WIC, FS, etc, is for the people that can't get a higher paying job at the time so that they can provide their family with food. It's not a "well I pay more taxes so I should get more benefits" type of thing, and it shouldn't be. If it were, the whole point of these programs would be moot b/c the money would be going toward the families with better jobs instead of the ones with low-paying jobs. What would be the point in that??? The whole point is to help the ones that NEED help, not the ones that feel they are entitled to it ONLY b/c they pay taxes! The same goes for the people that stay on the system for years and years when they don't need to anymore. Abuse of the system in general only helps the ones that don't need it in the end and leaves the ones that are in desperate need out in the cold b/c there just isn't enough money funded to go around to everyone!

Rose - posted on 02/07/2010

I agree with the whole tax thing. If you pay more taxes you should get those benefits. But i know that you only have to pay up to 7% of what ever you make once you hit a certain amount of money you make. So say someone makes about a million dollars a month only has to pay 7% on taxes thats it, where as us people that make less money end up paying more. I know cause i work for a tax preparation place. I don't abuse the system when ever i know i can afford the insurance on my child i plan on getting off of it. I only get health care and wic. Like other people have said in Canada the government pays for their medical with the taxes the people pay. whats the difference. They get free medical because of the taxes they pay. Besides it not like i am popping out kids left and right just so i can have these benefits. I have a baby cause i want one when i am young not old. I understand that you may think that it is not responsible of me but i don't plan on staying on the benefits. I don't think i am being selfish. When i can give back later on what i have used, or at least share it with the less fortunate that don't qualify for the benefits i do.

Jane - posted on 02/07/2010

People that make more money pay more taxes so shouldn't they be able to receive more benefits then those that don't pay as much taxes. That would take a lot of money away from those who abuse the system & continue to purposely have more kids while on welfare. Fair is fair, don't you think?

C. - posted on 02/07/2010

Kelsey, I was referring to the ones that abuse the system. If you are not well off, then by all means USE the system. But if you have enough money, even if it's just enough to "get by" then you are taking away from the people that don't even have that much! That's my point.



Knowing that you don't have the means to provide for a child, but still having a child regardless is IMO selfish. If you are not able to provide for that child, why have one now and not wait. If it's just not possible, fine. But all I'm saying is when people start abusing the system on purpose, just b/c they pay their taxes, leaves other tax payers that DO need some sort of assistance left to figure things out on their own. Funding is an issue when it comes to WIC, etc.. It's kind of like first come, first serve.



And public schools are not limited in such a way that WIC, Food Stamps and Welfare are when we're talking finances. So no, I wouldn't consider that any type of Welfare.

Charlie - posted on 02/07/2010

Health concession i would consider a type of welfare in Australia considering only people being paid by centrelink are eligible for it , and no i don not consider medicare to be welfare , as for public schooling being "welfare " that is ridiculous .

Cristy - posted on 02/06/2010

Public health and education are not at all like welfare type payments. Everyone including those who make over $100 000 a year are entitled to health and education but not everyone gets a handout from the government to help raise their children. Also, health and education are an investment in society as a whole, if one is not educated or is unhealthy chances are they won't work and pay taxes.

Kelsey - posted on 02/06/2010

Christina, not everyone is lucky enough to be well off, even in their 40s, but that doesnt make them irresponsible for having children. Its not wrong to use the governments services when you need it. Is it wrong to put your kids in a public school funded by the government/taxes? No, that is just as much of a "handout" as being on WIC or MA. Are the Canadians wrong for going to the doctor when its paid for by their government/taxes? No. Its all the same thing. Its not irresponsible to have children just because you dont make 100,000/yr. If I waited till I could afford the medical bills, dental bills, etc. I wouldnt be able to start my familt till Im 30. Im not going to put the important things off in my life to keep my pride or to avoid being a "freeloader". If you think its wrong to take these "handouts" then you better stop paying your taxes, because thats where alot of it goes, and for good reason. I pay taxes, and if I need to use a service that is funded by my tax money, your damn right I will!

Kelsey - posted on 02/06/2010

So is putting your child in public school a handout when you cant afford private? Public schools are funded by the government/taxes, but using the governments services is not a "handout". Not everyone is lucky enough to be well off, even when they are 40, that doesnt mean they are irresponsible for having a child.

C. - posted on 02/06/2010

Rose, I see I struck a nerve with you. Even though I said I was just trying to understand your whole point of view better.



No, most people don't get on their feet until they are in their forties. I know people in their 20's that are doing perfectly well, have 3 YOUNG children, only the husband has a job, they make all their payments (house, car, internet, phone, satelite tv, cell phone plan, insurance, etc), have enough money to buy formula if needed, diapers, wipes, baby food, bread, milk, eggs, the whole lot of groceries that every family goes through, etc and they STILL have money left over.. And no, they didn't get help from mommy and daddy! It can be done! No matter where you came from or where you are, you just have to make that decision. And just b/c you are successful in your 20's doesn't mean that YOU didn't get YOURSELF there.



And yes, personally I DO think it is irresponsible to bring a baby into this world, KNOWING that you are going to need some kind of hand-out, and you have no problem with that? Not only do I think it's irresponsible, but I think it's selfish! If something happens and you're already pregnant or had your baby and you need a helping hand, why not go for it? But when you are doing it on purpose, it takes away from the people that REALLY NEED that assistance.



We had our son on WIC after we moved to Hawaii. We weren't getting our promised money from the military, so we were out several hundred dollars a month, and Hawaii is about twice as expensive as it is back home. Up until my son was 6 or 7 months, though, we did it all ourselves. But when my husband had a car accident and we needed the money for a new car- well, new to us anyway, we had to go on WIC. I understand where things come up and nothing goes according to plan, but doing it on purpose is just wrong! I know people that cannot get on things like WIC and Food Stamps that NEED to be on them, but when I worked at a grocery store there would be people coming in with one child (and yes I actually knew some of these people), who had jobs that paid enough for them to survive, yet even with just three people, they would get three or four hundred dollars a month! When the lady I worked with was struggling to get $70/month! Her son ended up having to live with his Aunt b/c his mom didn't have enough money to feed the both of them every month. People that use the systems like that are taking away other people's rights to have assistance when they need it. They pay taxes too, but there is only a certain amount of money that the state pays to those assisted programs and when the money is exceeded by people that DON'T need it, the people that DO need it have no place to get help!

Teresa - posted on 02/06/2010

The last couple of comments are exactly why I don't consider WIC to be 'welfare'. I've been on WIC in the past. I'm now on welfare and while they have similariites... there is a big difference also.

Rose - posted on 02/06/2010

so your saying that i shouldn't be able to reap the benefits from my paying taxes? I work and so does my husband why should I lose out on what i pay for in the first place just so some body else can take it. Maybe if we didn't have to pay all those stupid taxes maybe we could afford to have insurance and a little extra food. Also like i said I usually donate the food i do not use and i pay a premium so apparently i am not that irresponsible. Am i suppose to wait till i am forty to have children so i can't be involved with them as the grow up. Most people now a days don't even really get on their feet until they are around 30 or forty unless they have mommy and daddy to pay their way through life. I pay my taxes so i can get those benefits!!! I do however plan on getting out of the situation but at the same time i am not going to wait to have kids unless i am on welfare and i don't consider wic welfare i see it as a helping hand i pay for anyways. And who said that we weren't trying to better ourselves? What makes me better is because i have a job and i don't make it a career to live off of welfare as do some people do. And i am better than that chic that is lazy with 4 kids with 4 diff daddy's cause i am not lazy and i have a job and i take care of my own and i try as for her she just sits there day after day not paying taxes and not trying to find a job or not trying to better her situation!

Kelsey - posted on 02/06/2010

P.S. I wanted to have another baby now, but Im waiting till I get in college, or get that great job, but I dont think I was wrong for having my first in a bad situation.

Kelsey - posted on 02/06/2010

It depends entirely on the details of the situation. Im broke at the moment, and I concieved my daughter on purpose. I can give her what she needs and more, but we are not at all well off yet. Im not on welfare, but Im on WIC and get MA. I dont plan on being on these very long, but I dont feel guilty. I pay my taxes. I had a string of bad luck financially, but Im not going to let that keep me from starting my family. If I were on welfare, and wasnt doing anything to better my situation, then ya, it would be wrong. If you are so broke you cant afford to support yourself, or a child, then you need to fix that before you bring a baby into the situation. You could easily call me irresponsible for having a baby while in my situation, but I knew she would get what she needed, and I wasnt going to wait any longer to start my family just because I didnt have my carreer yet. Im just starting to get back on my feet, going to interviews for fabulous salary jobs, and planning on going to nursing school as soon as I feel those jobs arent going to work out. Yes, I also plan on taking advantage of the assistance I will get for being a single mom going to college. (Im not married, but engaged.) I dont think Im a freeloader for that, I think thats exactly what taxes are for. You wouldnt call the Canadians freeloaders because they get free healthcare would you? Im getting free healthcare because I dont have a good enough job that will provide me with insurance, and I cant afford to buy my own right now. I assure you, I wont need help for long. Ill be doing better than most people! As long as that person is doing what they can to better their situation, I think its fine. If they arent going to school, or looking at any real jobs, then they definately shouldnt be having more children.

C. - posted on 02/05/2010

Why would you get pregnant on purpose when you're already receiving assistance? That's just as irresponsible as the "chic with 4 diff kids by 4 diff daddy's". Yes, you may be trying.. But why not wait until you are back on your feet to get pregnant again? I'm trying to understand.. I really don't see how that makes you any better than anyone else..

Rose - posted on 02/05/2010

I receive wic and my daughter has state insurance. I am currently pregnant and it was on purpose. I do feel guilty about getting wic for myself however in a way i pay for it by paying my taxes. I would rather the taxes i pay for go for something good like for my baby instead of some chic that has 4 kids by 4 diff daddy's sits at home all day not having a job smokes pot all day and don't even take care of her kids. I take care of my daughter and i have a job and me and my husband are trying to make it in the world. I have a job and my husband does to. I do pay a premium every month for my daughters insurance. Sometimes i don't even use all of the food on the wic checks so i just donate it to someone that can use it and is not on wic. I don't see a problem with it unless your that chic with 4 diff kids by 4 diff daddy's that is lazy!!!! I think people like me deserve to have a child because i try. Now as for getting food stamps and cash assistance and section 8 housing i will prolly not even think about doing. If i was on all that there is no way in hell i would try to have another baby it is irresponsible as a parent and unfair the the children!

Lise - posted on 02/05/2010

Absolutely not.

Susanne - posted on 02/05/2010

Ours go into a trust fund linked to shares which is what the government decided so get the most returns back on the money of course because of the recession those shares have plummeted. What annoys me about all these handouts is that my husband has to pay higher taxes to cover them. I dont need £250 child trust fund i save for all my kids and have done since they were born. I dont need a £190 grant to buy baby things, if i couldnt afford baby stuff i wouldnt be having another baby. The government is handing out money everywhere but who has to fund this? Taxpayers who have no say in the matter again.

Jennifer - posted on 02/05/2010

They have to go into a special account but there's standard savings ones and stakeholder ones.

Sarah - posted on 02/05/2010

Yeah both of my daughters trust fund vouchers are in special saving accounts.
I thought they HAD to go into a special account?

Jennifer - posted on 02/05/2010

If you put you child's child trust fund voucher into a savings based account the amount cannot decrease whereas stakeholder accounts can. That's why I've chosen to put our son's in a saving one so he can't end up with less than what we put in it only more with the interest.

Susanne - posted on 02/05/2010

The child trust fund voucher seems a waste of money to me because my son had it when he was born it is now worth less than half what it was at least if they had put it in the bank he'd still have £250 now he has less than a £100.

Sarah - posted on 02/05/2010

I've never understood why people get annoyed about the £250 Trust Fund Voucher.
I think it's a WONDERFUL idea! It's not like you can cash it or anything, it just sits in the bank, gaining interest and you can add to it if and when you can.
This way, when the child turns 18, they have a little money definitely set by to help with uni costs or whatever.

Never heard of getting money when pregnant tho! That seems a bit strange! lol :)

Charlie - posted on 02/04/2010

Healthcare concession is another type of welfare on the whole welfare spectrum .

Like i said there are cheats EVERYWHERE , there will always be the minority who scam for money , YES it sucks , its unfair i just hate pigeon holing everyone for a few peoples greed , cheats should be caught out and charged but for those who do use it correctly it is completely unfair to punish them for crimes they havent committed .

Cristy - posted on 02/04/2010

I was in no means referring to healthcare, I think the American system is messed up. I was referring to the handouts in terms of a baby bonus as opposed to paid parental leave and I say parental leave that either working parent can take. The other handout that bothers me is the living away from home allowance. I've seen way too much abuse of the system. I'm all for governmnet asssistance it just needs to be better regulated so people don't just get handouts instead of working.

Charlie - posted on 02/04/2010

Gee life must be hard to complain about handouts , everyone her who earns under 100,000 a year gets a $5000 baby bonus for each baby born but we do not get paid maternity leave so it works out as 10 weeks paid maternity leave in the end .

We get far less than most countries that DO have paid maternity .
As for the question why does the government handout money in times of recession ?
Well thats simple money given is money spent , money spent BOOSTS our economy .
Complain about the handouts all you want and we did get a lot in the last year to improve our economy in this downturn BUT did you ever think about WHY it is our country didnt go into recession , because our government handled it by boosting our economy .

I am thankfull for living in this lucky country , ive had a career i gave up to be a mother , i have a fiance who works very hard to support his family , i receive a payment like majority of families , its not much but i appreaciate it , i do not abuse the system and do not like being lumped into the minority of people who DO abuse it .

I would much prefer to live here where the poor CAN get medicare , i do not complain when i pay out of my own earnings to give them the health care and cheaper medication they need but cannot afford and i certainly do not feel bad for making use of those benefits i have long paid for now that i am a stay at home mum .

If you dont like it perhaps you would be happier in a country that lets their poor die of easily treatable health issues , where their government cannot navigate an economic downturn and come out on top , and " self sufficient " families still cannot survive in these times .

Cristy - posted on 02/04/2010

Well I'm a Canadian living in Australia for the past 9 years and the system here drives me nuts, it's handouts handouts handouts. The country is basically encouraging the unemployed to have children, creating the next generation of welfare recipients. I have to admit I got the baby bonus but would gladly see the baby bonus be obsolete. People should not be financially better off having children. I'm all for the Canadian system of paid parental leave, then you're encouraging self sufficient people to have babies.

Jennifer - posted on 02/04/2010

In defence of mothers who are unemployed I'd like to say that usually the husband/partner is working and if they're a single mother then they're unlikely to be able to fork out a load of money for daycare. I'm unemployed but that's because my husband works and we've chosen that me raising our baby is right for us because I don't want him to be looked after by a total stranger in a creche. You can't generalise and at the end of the day the mother or father should be looking after the child so at least one is bound to be unemployed.

Meghan - posted on 02/04/2010

I WANT TO LIVE IN AUSTRALIA! I actually always have wanted to live there haha...I visited once when for a school ambassador trip and I thought it was absolutely amazing!

Lady - posted on 02/04/2010

Well i found the payment to be very useful - we found ourselves in an unfortunate situation through no fault of our own and thankfully the government were there to help us out and why not my husband, mother, father, sister and grandparents have worked all there lives and payed taxes this was just a little glitch to get over and that's what welfare should be for to help you when you need it short term - i really don't know how anyone can survive on it long term anyway it's hardly enough to live on never mind all the extras - things went unpayed and we all had to go with out for a while it's not a situaton i would ever want to repeat.

Susanne - posted on 02/04/2010

Well im 11 weeks pregnant and was just informed by my midwife that the government in the UK is giving every pregnant woman a one off payment of £190. Why? We are in a recession for christ sakes if we cant afford to bring a child into this world we shouldnt so why are they giving free hand outs to everyone. Im also entitled to claim a grant of £500 to buy baby stuff because we get tax credits for low income. It ridiculous now i realise why there are unemployed mothers walking around pushing £400 worth of prams. On top of this our babies get £250 voucher to start a child trust fund! This country is throwing money away doing thing that all good parents will have sorted out already, get a grip.

Charlie - posted on 02/04/2010

Almost everyone receives some sort of welfare payment in Australia whether its the baby bonus , parenting payment or family tax benefit so i guess this is a non issue here , the fact is " cheats " will cheat anywhere in the world for any amount of money and will always put those who do not abuse the system in a bad light .

Lady - posted on 02/04/2010

When i fell pregnant with my last child - my fourth - my husbad was actually out of work at the time - he had been made redundant - it probably wasn't the best time to have another mouth to feed but thankfully it was only a temporary situation which my husban worked day and night to resolve and found a new job which payed for the relocation expences for us to move.
I don't know why anyone would choose to bring up children on welfare it's so hard not having enough money to buy what your kids need or pay the bills it's a daily stress load that i personally could not live with. I was so glad when my husbad was back in employment although money can still sometimes be tight we know that things are only going to get easier and we feel we are the ones taking care of our children and providing for them - not the government and every other hard working tax payer.

Rebecca - posted on 02/03/2010

Hi,

I live in Australia and here the "welfare" is out of control imo. There are SO many doll bludgers (people who can't be arsed getting a job-so they get payments for "looking for work"-but these people don't put any effort in to the looking part). We have prenting payments for single mums and low income erarners and payments to help financially while you study etc. Yes we have it good here but the system gets abused a lot.



For eg an old friend of mine(whom I'm not friends of anymore) decided to have a baby at the age of 18 because she felt like it was time for her to have one and she could look after one. When I asked her how she would be able to support her child that she was choosing to bring into this world her response was oh"dont worry (insert government payments here) will pay for most of the stuff he/she will need "Seriously she just showed me she wasn't ready to become a mother. Unless you a single mother and cannot work for your own eprsonal reasons or is married/defacto and have gone from working before your pregnancy to being a stay at home mum and just need that little bit extra money to cover the income you used to bring in I feel people just use goverment assistance as the main sorce of income which in my opinion is wrong and selfish. Besides it isn't much money at all.



It should be a temperary income solution, not a long term main income with people choosing to bring children up on.

Heather - posted on 02/03/2010

There are always people who are going to milk others for what they don't want to work for themselves no matter why type of system is in place. If it's not the people milking the government, it's the government milking the people. There are those who use what they are given to the limit and wouldn't think about abusing it, and there are those who could care less where the money comes from as long and they have some in their pockets. Welfare is a decent system for those who truly use it for it's true purpose.

I personally am married, my husband makes under 30 a year, I stay at home, babysit two little extra ones, charging less than a day care, we own our own home, we also bought a pre-own vehicle we are paying on as well, I breastfeed and use cloth diapers b/c i can't reason spending so much on disposable diapers just to throw it away, I garden over 1/4 of a acre, I can and preserve fruits and veggies for the winter, we hunt venision for meat, which we process ourselves, we save, we stash, we look for bargins, our grocery bill rarely ever exeeds $250 a month (that's feeding the two extra mouths), we have amost no credit card debt to speak of either, and we aren't on any type of government income. The best benefit we have is great health insurance from my husband's job! We currently have two children and don't plan on stopping any time soon. We put family over anything else, We sacrifice and we splurge.

The point to saying all that? People wonder how we do it. People can't believe we're only 23 and 25 yrs old. But we are.. WHERE THERE"S A WILL THERE"S A WAY!! Living on love and a prayer and a lot of common sense!! We can do it on our own - we won't let anyone tell us otherwise!!

Jennifer - posted on 02/03/2010

The benefit's system in the UK is very different of that in the US. My husband works so we do not claim what I would call welfare which is primarily Job Seekers Allowance, but we can claim tax credits which are for families who earm under £15000 per year and also claim child benefit. I think it's very irresponsible to plan having a child whilst on welfare but if the contraception fails then that's not the person's fault either and I disagree with abortion except for in the circumstance of rape so if one did get pregnant on welfare then it's their responsibility to have their child. I wouldn't do it because I want to provide the best I can for my children and we can do that with my husband's salary alone which means I can raise our children. =]