Thoughts on welfare?

Nichelle - posted on 04/11/2013

In Washington State we do have Welfare Reform, and yes what you are stating is correct and it is easy to become complacent and forget the rewards of being self-suffient.

Nichelle - posted on 04/11/2013

Paul writes to the Thessalonians to remind them of the rule they put in place stating that if anyone does not work they do not eat. Each person in the church in Thessaloniki had to pull their own weight.
I am struggling to get my life in order (God's order) and not live the way I use to, if you are an able body person, why would you want to lessin yourself to something so unpleasant, you and your child will make it, but I garantee you, not on welfare.

April - posted on 04/10/2013

I think it’s time to put a limit on welfare assistance. It could be possible that people who have received it for some time have become complacent and no longer strive to make a means for themselves. I think at some point they have forgotten, and some may have never known, that taxpayers have been footing their bills and expenses. It’s like the kid who drops out of school and sits at home, what inspiration do they have to leave or better their life when the parent okays that decision and makes life comfortable for them? I think setting a limit on welfare assistance forces the person to plan ahead knowing one day the check will stop coming. Yes, there are unfortunate events that place us in need of assistance but with no end there is no new beginning. What are your thoughts?

Read more at http://iblogoutloud.com/2013/04/10/welfa...

April - posted on 04/10/2013

I just wrote a piece on this. http://iblogoutloud.com/2013/04/10/welfa...

Denise - posted on 02/21/2013

Agreed with Amy! Because of people like that I have to pay full health insurance for my kid. Never received any help because I busted myself working ti have what I have and then others get to feed off the fruits of my labor..I DONT THINK SO!! I hate the welfare system. They should help everyone out regardless if they are making over 50,000 a year

Elizabeth - posted on 02/20/2013

Trolls will be trolls. People who don't "get it" will post in response.

Heather - posted on 02/17/2013

Welfare is good? LOL. I'll take the bait on your trolling...no, you should not quit your job and take welfare. It's onry and pathetic. You should be ashamed to even ask this. Have some pride and don't take a government handout. People never cease to amaze me!

Anthony Mc - posted on 02/17/2013

Welfare is a last resourt for anyone in the long term .My advice is to see if you can get a part time job in the short term,and here is why going out to work even for three days a week will give you a feeling of indepance and well being . This way you will be able to get your hair done once in awhile as well as being able to get a good nights sleep.This is a great opportunity to take up some thing new like a hobby.more tips next week yours sincerely tony.

Donna - posted on 02/15/2013

No. Why quit a job you have to stay home so we can susport you. Yhat is why people abusive the system now and ruin it for everybody else.

Mary - posted on 02/14/2013

No it is not....if you have a job you should keep it. Jobs are hard to come by now a days for a lot of us. The perks of a job is your more financially stable. and you want to keep that welfare incase a true emergancy happens mind you, you only able to get it for 48 months in a life time. any thing can happen between then. Also having a job benifits your child so much by looking at mommy being independent. They really need to see that. I am unemployed and on welfare i would do any thing to have a job so i could be a good example for my son showing him mommy can do it. We are God in a childs eyes.

Chris - posted on 02/14/2013

Welfare is good for those who need it that have no other choices.

Welfare is not good for those who want it but have other choices.

I would look at your motivations for this.

Are your kids pre-school age, ie home all day and require full-time child care? If so, then I can totally understand the drive to stay home with them. But remember, even in that case, they will go to school soon. When that happens, have you burnt your bridges in finding a good job?

If your kids are in school and don't depend on you being home full time to care for them, then quitting a job to collect benefits might not be sending them the right message. Do you want them to strive for more? Do you want them to learn the value of a good day's work? Do you want them to try their best or quit when things are hard?

Yes, it's hard to come home and take care of your kids after a full day of work, cooking, cleaning and laundry. But those are parts of being a mom. Get your kids involved in those parts too.

Also, if you are considering this, you probably have a social worker. Talk to him/her about your thoughts. Maybe there are options to help you return to school part time so you can get a better job or a career you like. Perhaps you qualify for some family benefits without going on welfare.

There is no shame in asking for help if you need it. The trick is finding the right help for what you need (and remember needs are not wants).

Lauren - posted on 02/14/2013

A post like this is an insult to moms like me ... who drive an hour to work to make less many that we deserve, especially with a college degree, to provide for our children and cry randomly because we can't possibly be at home more often with our children ourselves. I'd work ANY job that allowed me to be home more and still make enough money with my husband's income to provide for my children. It's people who take advantage of the welfare system that cause parents like me to have to do what we do for little money--and never catch a break. And it's people who take advantage of the system that will eventually cause this government and society to crumble if things don't change.

If this is a real question, sorry for the disrespect, but shame on you! I hope these replies teach you the value of working hard and being proud of the reward!

Michelle - posted on 02/13/2013

I understand wanting to stay home with your children, I have a son with special needs and would love nothing more then to be with him all the time. But we can not teach them everything, daycare is a wonderful place for them too be. My son has grown so much since starting there. I work ft at a crap job and my husband work ft too, we work are asses off, and thought of us paying for people to sit on their asses all day, drives me crazy that would be the last thing on my mind, your kids will thank you, what can you give them on welfare, NOTHING you get no money and they will make feel like the lowes form of a person. Suck it up like the rest of us and get to work, this is what an adult does, if you can't afford kids, don't have them.

Shauna - posted on 02/12/2013

Well I will have to honestly say that I agree with some of the moms on this subject. I will have to say that although I don't like to admit it, I am on welfare. I get food stamps and child care assistance and that's it. I am a working, single mom and have two children. Yes I am engaged but my first daughters dad walked out when I was six months pregnant and my second daughters dad is incarcerated for the time being. I work my butt off everyday to provide for my kids, but I only get paid minimum wage and don't work 40 hrs. a week, so I am having a hard time providing for my family.

But I know that they will not give you anything if you are not working especially if you quit your job just to stay home. Also if you do not have a job they make you do a job search and you have to do so many job searches a week. So in reality it would not be the best thing for you.

Also for you to say that us working moms are letting other people raise our kids is completely WRONG. Yes I do take my kids to daycare and I actually work at the daycare that they attend and I take care of my kids before they go to daycare and after we got home from daycare.

So you saying that other people are raising our kids is OUT OF LINE and you wanting us WORKING MOMS to pay our taxes so that YOU can stay home just because is WRONG. YOU had kids then YOU need to provide for them and not depend on US to take care of YOUR kids. That's just like WE are raising YOUR kids.

Dorothy - posted on 02/12/2013

If u can't affort a family, don't have 1. That's being responsible. U are thinking of letting other people pay for ur resposibilities. I think u don't want to work and using the kids as an excuse not to

Abigail - posted on 02/12/2013

"Welfare" is no longer called welfare anymore it is called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. You can not stay on it indefinetly. What happens if you can't find a job when it expires in a year? Also, many federal programs will not help you if you have quit a job within the last 6 months
Probably not a good idea hon

Jay - posted on 02/12/2013

seriously? No. Not even funny.

Dawn - posted on 02/11/2013

Seriously?

Hannah - posted on 02/06/2013

Welfare is designed for people who are looking for/can't find a job, or who can not get a job because of certain circumstances. If you have an infant, i believe there are some welfare programs out there that allow you to stay home for a year (depending on what state you are in). But believe me, I went through my share of needing welfare ... and although it's wonderful when you need it, it's not something you want if you don't. There are many hoops to jump through, classes you have to take, work programs you will be required to go through, not to mention you will receive the bare minimum. It's hard to have to leave your kids with someone else in order to work, but it is also, usually, a necessity. Are there any other alternatives? Like family or close friends who are willing to help out? Maybe you could work part time instead of full time. The good thing about daycare/preschool is that it exposes your children to other children of the same age and promotes good social interaction without relying on mom or dad to step in. There are always other good options .. i wouldn't recommend welfare in this situation.

Jessica - posted on 02/06/2013

I think it is important for children to see their parent(s) work and be passionate about something. I also see that there is a stigma attached to welfare (be it right or not) and children who grow up in that system can grow up in poverty and with a sense of shame.

If you are not earning enough to survive at your current job there might be programs accessible to you to help you get some training and find a job that pays more. Or perhaps it is the time spent away from your child(ren) that you have an issue with, so maybe you can cut down to part-time.

If you are on welfare or considering it, please consider showing your children that just because you may not contribute to society in the 'typical' way doesn't mean that you don't contribute at all. For instance, volunteer or get involved in community projects. Start an at home business and become self-sufficient that way.

Don't be the stereotype - be the kind of mom you want your children to grow up with. The mom that both you and they can be proud of.

Natasha - posted on 02/06/2013

Welfare is there for people who have no other choice. For one.. they will give you nothing knowing that you quit your job on your own. Not to mention they hardley give you enough to live on.. so if your LO wants to do any activities like swimming lessons or hockey you will simply have to tell them no because honestly you will only get enough to feed your children. Its your life and you need to do what you see fit. But coming from the heart this is not a healthy choice. You need to stick it our darling it will be best for your LO in the long run. You need to set a good example for them that hard work actually pays off in the end :)

Ruth - posted on 02/06/2013

unlike the UK (where I live), they hand it out left right and centre....often to people who dont need it!!

Humble - posted on 02/05/2013

Welfare will give you about 300 dollars a month if you have one child. And then you eventually have to pay it back. And also if you are married or get child support, that goes against you. Say you get 100 dollars in child support, well...welfare will deduct that, so then you will get 200 a month. It's not a free for all and sadly because so many people take advantage of it, there have been cuts. And also if your child is older than 6, you won't get welfare for yourself, just him. CPS will stay on top of you to make sure you are able to provide for your child. Fun times.

Lori - posted on 02/05/2013

Absolutely not. Take responsibility for your situation. It's not my job to pay for your chosen lifestyle.

Thank you!

Get a job - get some support.

Ruth - posted on 02/05/2013

Do you have any family that could mind your little one? I'm due back in work but really don't want to, however I do not have a choice as we need the money. My mum is minding my son when I go back so that eases my mind!

Amy - posted on 02/04/2013

I agree Sarah, I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt for the time being, but I'll monitor the thread carefully and lock it if her intention is to rile up working moms.

Sarah - posted on 02/04/2013

Hmmm...has feeling Sandra just wants to create trouble. Wonders if she is even a parent.

Amy - posted on 02/04/2013

I'm raising my kids, my soon to be ex used to work nights so my kids just started daycare at 7 and almost 3. I have always been there for my kids :) I don't believe it's someone else's job to support my entire family. What will we do when there is no one working to pay into welfare?

Sandra - posted on 02/04/2013

so you think I should let someone else raise my kid like you

Amy - posted on 02/04/2013

And that's what's wrong with our system, the fact that you can quit your job and then get rewarded for it blows my mind! Welfare should only be used for those that need it, not for people who want to stay at home with their kids, I mean what lesson would you be teaching your kids by quitting and staying home with them? Don't get me wrong I would love to be home with my kids but I need to provide them food and shelter not someone else.