Food Stamps....grrr

[crazytimes]

I went to the Health and Human Services Department about a week ago and filled out an application for food stamps. The way I see it, my tax dollars go to support this program and frankly, with the amount of money I make each month and the amount of bills I have it's really hard to make ends meet. No I'm not going hungry, but it would be nice to not be stretched so thin and **** if the government wants to offer this, I might as well try and get a slice of the pie.

So anyways I filled out the application and got a letter yesterday saying I was denied because I am an "ineligible student." I have no idea why this is. For a single person household, to qualify you can't make more than around $900 a month and I don't even make close to that! And I DON'T have a meal plan through the university - I don't pay room and board, I only pay monthly rent.

Now I downloaded the manual and found the section on students and it says that, "A household member who is enrolled at least half time in an institution of higher education must meet one of the criteria listed at 475 NAC 3-001.06A, "Student Exemptions," to be eligible to participate."

One of the exemptions is:
Participating in a state or federally financed work study program during the regular school year; Note: The following restrictions apply to work study:

a. The student must be approved for work study at the time of application for food stamp benefits;

b. The work study must be approved for the school term and the student must anticipate actually working during that time;

c. The work study exemption begins the month the school term begins or the month the work study is approved, whichever is later; and

d. The work study exemption does not continue between terms when there is a break of a full month or more, unless the student is participating in work study during the break.

I called the lady and said that I DO have a work study and that I fit into all of the exceptions and she gave me some half-@$$ed answer saying, "well the work study has to be pre-approved for voc-rehab." I just said ok and hung up...I have no clue what voc-rehab is. I sure don't see ANY mention of "voc rehab" in the above paragraph. That's the problem...I'll bet the lady I talked to didn't even know what she was talking about.

Even if I was denied, FINE. I don't care, I just want a REAL reason not some made up response like she told me.

I pay my taxes and have no control how they spend the money, so they spend it on a program that I try and take advantage of and I can't even do it! What...do they think that students have magical refrigerators? Why is it that a 19 year old in college is automatically exempt but a 19 year old NOT in college ISN'T automatically exempt?!

[chippers21]

Do you REALLY pay taxes? Most 19 year olds I know get it all back because they do not make enough. (tax refund)
Can you be claimed as a dependent on your parents taxes? If so, you are not eligible for food stamps.
And finally- don't you think food stamps should go to people who REALLY need them? I found your statement----"No I'm not going hungry, but it would be nice to not be stretched so thin and **** if the government wants to offer this, I might as well try and get a slice of the pie." to be what is wrong with this country. I do not want the government to offer my tax money (approximately $9000/year that I do not get back as a tax refund) to people who do not really need it. There are plenty of people who do need it. And if they run out of those people I want it back, not given to you as your slice of the pie.

[crazytimes]

Well I have taxes taken out of my paycheck, last year I OWED money, my parents claim me as a dependent, but no they do not give me money or food. And hate to break it to you, YOU'RE not gonna get anything back. You really have no control over how the government spends our money and either do I. So until things change I have no problem taking advantage of what the government has to offer, considering that according to what I read I should be eligible.

I didn't think food stamps is just for people who have NO food, I think it's also to help people who can't always afford it.

[chippers21]

"my parents claim me as a dependent, but no they do not give me money or food"
WHY do they claim you as a dependent and then not support you???? Makes no sense to me.
And I say again. That is what is wrong with this country. People think the government should give you support. Why not take a little more pride in yourself and SUPPORT yourself?
It all started with the welfare program and is continuing with the social security system. We are becoming a nation that expects the government to take care of us. I just want the government to make sure we have equal rights to education and employment in this country and that we are defended from invasion of other countries.

[crazytimes]

I have no idea why they claim me and I don't want to fight with them. I am scared to even bring it up. I mean they let me live with them for the summer rent free and I didn't have a job or anything (no jobs where they live). And they DO cosign my loans for college (I don't know if co-signing counts as support) so I can't really say anything. If they didn't co-sign my loans I couldn't go to school because I don't have the credit to take out a loan by myself. So it's kind of a dilemma I guess.

But as far as supporting myself I AM supporting myself. Hello I am a full time student, I have a work study and I am starting a job at a movie theater. Not to mention donating plasma twice a week which is very draining. College is more expensive than ever, same with food, housing, etc. I'd like to see some people try working for $5.50 an hour and try and make ends meet.

[bobbcat]

I see my husband's very resourceful 19-year-old employees who are poor college students not too unlike yourself who work in his restaurant and can make a decent living without having to go about with their palms up begging for money from fellow taxpayers. A good night waiting tables can bring in $150. Not bad for 4-5 hours of work. Most of them work part time, as they are busy with their classes. But they manage, renting apartments together and driving economy cars.

Chippers is right. Too many people want to skate by on the backs of others. I take my hat off to the hard-working group I see every time I darken the doorstep of hubby's restaurant and those of other restaurants like his.

Neal Boortz said something on his radio show one day that I applauded. Of course it is very politically incorrect and would never come to pass: Creating a separate line in the grocery stores with a huge sign saying 'FOOD STAMP RECIPIENTS HERE!' Nothing like making just a little spectacle of those who manage to get the stamps and let the people see too just how often and how badly they are abused.

[mayfly]

I think they are saying if you have money to pay for school then you could be paying for food. I know if you have a car payment, no matter how small, you are not eligible either.

[crazytimes]

Originally Posted by bobbcat

Nothing like making just a little spectacle of those who manage to get the stamps and let the people see too just how often and how badly they are abused.

Care to englighten me? I'd really like to know how often and how badly they are abused? Everyone always talks about it yet I never see any real info. As far as I'm concerned I don't really see how someone could easily abuse the program.

All I am saying is that I believe that based on the information I read that I AM eligible. I really don't give a rat's *** if you don't think I should be eligible, if you think I don't work hard, if you think I am leeching off others. The fact is, according to the information I was provided with, I feel that I meet the governments eligibility standards to receive a benefit from this program.

Until my tax dollars do NOT fund this program, I have absolutely no problem attempting to take advantage of it. I feel no shame nor will I ever hang my head low.

Mayfly - I don't own a car and I able to afford to pay for school because I am took out loans to pay for it.

[bobbcat]

All I am saying is that I believe that based on the information I read that I AM eligible. I really don't give a rat's *** if you don't think I should be eligible, if you think I don't work hard, if you think I am leeching off others. The fact is, according to the information I was provided with, I feel that I meet the governments eligibility standards to receive a benefit from this program.

With the attitude reflected in the statement you made above, I don't think there is anything I can say that would "enlighten" you.

[ShainaT]

Originally Posted by bobbcat

Neal Boortz said something on his radio show one day that I applauded. Of course it is very politically incorrect and would never come to pass: Creating a separate line in the grocery stores with a huge sign saying 'FOOD STAMP RECIPIENTS HERE!' Nothing like making just a little spectacle of those who manage to get the stamps and let the people see too just how often and how badly they are abused.

This is true..they are abused..I can vouch for that. I know that here in MD they can't be used to buy cigarettes or alcohol but a friend of mine told me how they get around that...I'll have to ask her and get back to you guys.

Here is a terrible story that my friend's friend actually did: she was in a bad relationship with two kids (both kids were by different men and the man in the relationship with her was not the father of either child.) She got into a fight with the man. Nothing physical. She called the domestic violence line and told them she was being abused and they paid to put her up in a HOTEL for a week!!! Can you imagine the poor folks who donated their hard earned money to this place? (This story is from when I lived in NC and this happened in Durham.) I know two other amazing things this woman did to scam the system. Crazy.

[crazytimes]

Originally Posted by bobbcat

With the attitude reflected in the statement you made above, I don't think there is anything I can say that would "enlighten" you.

LOL! What a typical response. Doesn't surprise me one bit! Although I certainly am dying to know obviously I'll never find out. Whatever.

And, I'm sorry but how do you expect me to respond when you use phrases like "palms up begging"? If you're gonna use rude statements like that don't expect a nice friendly response.

[crazytimes]

Originally Posted by ShainaT

This is true..they are abused..I can vouch for that. I know that here in MD they can't be used to buy cigarettes or alcohol but a friend of mine told me how they get around that...I'll have to ask her and get back to you guys.

Here is a terrible story that my friend's friend actually did: she was in a bad relationship with two kids (both kids were by different men and the man in the relationship with her was not the father of either child.) She got into a fight with the man. Nothing physical. She called the domestic violence line and told them she was being abused and they paid to put her up in a HOTEL for a week!!! Can you imagine the poor folks who donated their hard earned money to this place? (This story is from when I lived in NC and this happened in Durham.) I know two other amazing things this woman did to scam the system. Crazy.

I understand that a program can be abused and often are, but people make it sound like there isn't a single honest soul benefitting from these things! And should we do away with these programs simply because some people abuse them? Should we get rid of the stockmarket simply because people like Martha Stewart do insider trading?

[mrbowler]

Crazy-Go over here..this may answer your questions

I haven't read thru all the thread, but if your parents are claiming you as a dependent then they might be factoring in your parents income into the eligibility or maybe they didn't even look at that information, and came up with a different reason.


http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/

[mrbowler]

To participate in the Food Stamp Program:

Households may have no more than $2,000 in countable resources, such as a bank account ($3,000 if at least one person in the household is age 60 or older, or is disabled). Certain resources are not counted, such as a home and lot. Special rules are used to determine the resource value of vehicles owned by household members.
The gross monthly income of most households must be 130 percent or less of the Federal poverty guidelines ($1,698 per month for a family of three in most places, effective Oct. 1, 2004 through Sept. 30, 2005). Gross income includes all cash payments to the household, with a few exceptions specified in the law or the program regulations.
Net monthly income must be 100 percent or less of Federal poverty guidelines ($1,306 per month for a household of three in most places, effective Oct. 1, 2004 through Sept. 30, 2005). Net income is figured by adding all of a household's gross income, and then taking a number of approved deductions for child care, some shelter costs and other expenses. Households with an elderly or disabled member are subject only to the net income test.
Most able-bodied adult applicants must meet certain work requirements.
All household members must provide a Social Security number or apply for one.

[mrbowler]

Pre-Screening Tool:

http://www.foodstamps-step1.usda.gov/