the phrase "we'll help you help yourself"?

i do. i think its not right to let people live on welfare for their entire lives and raise their children to live that way too. i think that there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with using welfare or other public assistance programs to get back on your feet.

the phrase "we'll help you help yourself"?

i do. i think its not right to let people live on welfare for their entire lives and raise their children to live that way too. i think that there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with using welfare or other public assistance programs to get back on your feet.
As a woman who has a degree in social work and has studied the social service system throughly, I can see both sides of this one. I don't believe that people should continually pop out kids to stay on assistance and teach their kids that it is ok to mooch off of the system. I do feel that if there is some kind of mental/physical disability that prevents them from working, then I say stay on the assistance until disability is approved. What really irritates me is those people who make too much for assistance, but not enough to make ends meet. They are the ones that are being hurt by the way that the system is set up. Sometimes it just takes a little boost for people to get on their feet and if they aren't eligible for it because of $20 too much a month, then that is ridiculous. I know here in Ohio, the poverty level guidelines are different from county to county and agency to agency. Now that is crazy. I absolutely hate the fact that people can qualify for one program but not another because the guidelines are so different. Wow!! This is a topic I can go on for hours upon hours on. :lol /rant off

I do think that states need to 'Help you help yourself' I understand that there will always be people on state assistance, but there are those that abuse the system and don't NEED to be on state assistance for as long as they are. If you have a valid medical/mental/physical issue and CAN'T work, fine..but if you are just being lazy collecting a paycheck from the state for sitting on your ass watching your big screen, eating steak dinners and wearing designer clothes (Ok, I know it's a little exaggerated, but you get what I mean), then you need to get off your lazy ass and get a job. The state will assist you in Daycare. WORK for your paycheck.

What really irritates me is those people who make too much for assistance, but not enough to make ends meet. They are the ones that are being hurt by the way that the system is set up. Sometimes it just takes a little boost for people to get on their feet and if they aren't eligible for it because of $20 too much a month, then that is ridiculous.

I was in a situation like that when DH and I seperated....the regulations different in SC from program to program too....they told me I made $200 too much (I'm seriously still wondering where that 'extra' $200 went), so I had to cut back on my hours, which hurt me, just to be able to qualify. It was really frustrating.

In certain situations, like if a person cannot work for mental/physical reasons, then I see no problem with it.
But if they're just using the system because they're lazy, then there's a problem.

yeah my mom was on WIC when i was born and they told her that she was supposed to claim anything, even if she got $5 for her birthday KWIM?

i feel sorry for those that can't work because they can't afford daycare, but they don't qualify for daycare because they make a penny to much. that's a vicious (sp?) cycle.

i agree with what was said.

yeah my mom was on WIC when i was born and they told her that she was supposed to claim anything, even if she got $5 for her birthday KWIM?

i feel sorry for those that can't work because they can't afford daycare, but they don't qualify for daycare because they make a penny to much. that's a vicious (sp?) cycle.

i agree with what was said.

Sometimes they get ridiculous with it, like with telling your mom she has to claim EVERYTHING (by law, they have to tell you that). But my case worker found so many loopholes and told me things I wasn't even supposed to know....she was awesome.

A lot of public assistance programs are like that...including FAFSA. Me and my parents had a hell of a time with them....it was ridiculous.

there is nothing wrong with using the gov't to help you get back on your feet but a lot of people on welfare and other gov't support are on it because they don't want to work.

I agree w/that statement to an extent. While I agree that something needs to be done about the moochers and frauds, the welfare system is heavily flawed. My best friend was on it for a while, and she was essentially screwed. If she worked too much, she would be kicked off the program, plus she was limited to very menial jobs (such as bagging groceries). She had a hard time going to school b/c of childcare costs.

If someone is on welfare who is capable of sustaining themselves ultimately, then they need to be given a hand to help them. Single mom -- free childcare so she can go to college/vocational school to increase her likelihood of a better paying job. Alrealdy have a degree, but have fallen on hard times? -- help finding a job that will pay enough that relates to your degree. There needs to be educational programs to help the recipients.

There should also be a time limit to receive welfare. The length of time it takes to get a degree, etc...

i know NJ has a limit on welfare of 6 months. if your 6 months is up you have to file a request for extended aid--such as medical disability, proof of a job search (you have to get letters saying that you applied and went to an interview from the potential employer), etc. otherwise your aid is CUT OFF end of story and you have to wait another 2 years to apply.

the phrase "we'll help you help yourself"?

i do. i think its not right to let people live on welfare for their entire lives and raise their children to live that way too. i think that there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with using welfare or other public assistance programs to get back on your feet.


I agree.


In massachusetts they call it "workfare" because after your child is 2 you must work. The welfare system there gives so little you have to work.