TOTALLY GEEKED!

NAOW · Vette's SS

New American Way

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I saw that! Lol

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

I saw that too!

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Do you understand how much she would have had to make for 3 fiscal quarters to draw that much disability?

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

lilyofcourse wrote:
Do you understand how much she would have had to make for 3 fiscal quarters to draw that much disability?

I'm sure the figures are exaggerated a bit but the message is clear. But whether it be disability or welfare, the check is substantial given all the other items they get.

Section 8 in my area would have paid for the $1400/month rent on my Son's TH. A lot of people with Section 8 applied, luckily we had many others apply as well that were better choices. Food stamp benefits depends on a lot of factors, not sure $600 is correct. One thing this article doesn't mention is the free breakfast and lunch most school districts have gone to this year.

I don't understand the free utilities thing, they aren't free, sure some people get help with heat but it isn't 100%.

The study done in Mass calculated the total benefits at $58K/year. To net that amount, someone who pays taxes would have to earn an annual salary of about 75K.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

There are free utilities here in PA. There are people who get free home heating. That is true.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
Do you understand how much she would have had to make for 3 fiscal quarters to draw that much disability?

I'm sure the figures are exaggerated a bit but the message is clear. But whether it be disability or welfare, the check is substantial given all the other items they get.
Section 8 in my area would have paid for the $1400/month rent on my Son's TH. A lot of people with Section 8 applied, luckily we had many others apply as well that were better choices. Food stamp benefits depends on a lot of factors, not sure $600 is correct. One thing this article doesn't mention is the free breakfast and lunch most school districts have gone to this year.
I don't understand the free utilities thing, they aren't free, sure some people get help with heat but it isn't 100%.
The study done in Mass calculated the total benefits at $58K/year. To net that amount, someone who pays taxes would have to earn an annual salary of about 75K.

The numbers are more than exaggerated.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Not really. Not when you consider the taxes that working people pay.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Yeah really.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

TANF and Moving to Independence

The Department of Human Services is dedicated to helping low-income families become independent while they receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF, benefits.
TANF is also referred to as "cash assistance".

The TANF program provides money to help:
•Pregnant women
•Dependent children and their parents who live with them
•Dependent children and other relatives who live with them and care for them

How to Apply:
•You can apply for and renew your benefits from the comfort of your home using COMPASS,the online resource for cash assistance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), help with child care, health care coverage, home heating assistance (LIHEAP), school meals, SelectPlan for Women and long-term living services.
•You can also File an application at your local county assistance office or
•Download an application form (below) and return it to your local county assistance office

Application for cash assistance, SNAP and Medical Assistance Benefits (English version)

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Look.

In no way am I saying there are not those who take advantage.

I am not saying fraud doesn't exist.

What I am saying is that exaggerated facts in articles and frustration is not the way anything will change.

The core is going to have to be destroyed and the whole thing rebuilt.

Want to stop the waste? Start with the local DEFC. Find out what has to be proven and by whom. Make noise and affect change in the government.

I know there is a double standard. I know the proof of this and that I have to provide and how others don't have to do much more than show up.

Yes. It is extremely frustrating to see someone sit home and draw more than you make. I get that. I've lived it.

But these articles just inflame. They do nothing to change anything.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
TANF and Moving to Independence

The Department of Human Services is dedicated to helping low-income families become independent while they receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF, benefits.
TANF is also referred to as "cash assistance".

The TANF program provides money to help:
•Pregnant women
•Dependent children and their parents who live with them
•Dependent children and other relatives who live with them and care for them

How to Apply:
•You can apply for and renew your benefits from the comfort of your home using COMPASS,the online resource for cash assistance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), help with child care, health care coverage, home heating assistance (LIHEAP), school meals, SelectPlan for Women and long-term living services.
•You can also File an application at your local county assistance office or
•Download an application form (below) and return it to your local county assistance office

Application for cash assistance, SNAP and Medical Assistance Benefits (English version)

Yeah. That's from the Web site.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

lilyofcourse wrote:
Look.

In no way am I saying there are not those who take advantage.

I am not saying fraud doesn't exist.

What I am saying is that exaggerated facts in articles and frustration is not the way anything will change.

The core is going to have to be destroyed and the whole thing rebuilt.

Want to stop the waste? Start with the local DEFC. Find out what has to be proven and by whom. Make noise and affect change in the government.

I know there is a double standard. I know the proof of this and that I have to provide and how others don't have to do much more than show up.

Yes. It is extremely frustrating to see someone sit home and draw more than you make. I get that. I've lived it.

But these articles just inflame. They do nothing to change anything.

We have to weed out the FRAUDs lilly. We weed out inefficiency and fraud in every other industry except the Govt. People are tired of working and working and paying and paying to see all these Meth heads with their tattoos and piercings talking on their cell phones, eating brand name foods and driving their cars.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

lilyofcourse wrote:
Yeah really.

No, they are really not. $21,600 in disability is only $1800 a month. With 2 minor children, she'd get her disability benefits and each of the kids would get dependent disability benefits. I JUST got my SS benefit thing in the mail and if I went on disability, my total family amount would be about $3000 (I would get about $1600 a month, plus the kids would each get a check), so $1800 for a mother with 2 kids is not stretching. I know people who get food stamps and they easily get several hundred dollars a month in food stamps and we are in a low cost area. People in higher cost of living places get a lot more. Section 8? Yeah - they pay about $1000 a month.

So, Lily, exactly which part is exaggerated?

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Welfare should be uncomfortable.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
Look.

In no way am I saying there are not those who take advantage.

I am not saying fraud doesn't exist.

What I am saying is that exaggerated facts in articles and frustration is not the way anything will change.

The core is going to have to be destroyed and the whole thing rebuilt.

Want to stop the waste? Start with the local DEFC. Find out what has to be proven and by whom. Make noise and affect change in the government.

I know there is a double standard. I know the proof of this and that I have to provide and how others don't have to do much more than show up.

Yes. It is extremely frustrating to see someone sit home and draw more than you make. I get that. I've lived it.

But these articles just inflame. They do nothing to change anything.
We have to weed out the FRAUDs lilly. We weed out inefficiency and fraud in every other industry except the Govt. People are tired of working and working and paying and paying to see all these Meth heads with their tattoos and piercings talking on their cell phones, eating brand name foods and driving their cars.

Fraud is a smaller portion of the total welfare bill. The criteria needs to be tightened up. The couple in the scenario are not committing fraud, they have found loop holes. I would ask why the father isn't hauled into court for CS? Did the mother name him as the father?

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

How do you know it is a "smaller portion of the total welfare bill"? We don't know that At All because Govt refuses to look at it.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
How do you know it is a "smaller portion of the total welfare bill"? We don't know that At All because Govt refuses to look at it.

True, I don't know for sure, but I suspect it. The criteria is so loose these days that just about any lay-a-bout can figure out a way to reap some benefits.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lawyerlady wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
Yeah really.

No, they are really not. $21,600 in disability is only $1800 a month. With 2 minor children, she'd get her disability benefits and each of the kids would get dependent disability benefits. I JUST got my SS benefit thing in the mail and if I went on disability, my total family amount would be about $3000 (I would get about $1600 a month, plus the kids would each get a check), so $1800 for a mother with 2 kids is not stretching. I know people who get food stamps and they easily get several hundred dollars a month in food stamps and we are in a low cost area. People in higher cost of living places get a lot more. Section 8? Yeah - they pay about $1000 a month.
So, Lily, exactly which part is exaggerated?

You have a high paying job.

And those numbers they quote are not what you get.

And not every child gets the SSI.

I'm not going to turn this into a debate over how much.

What needs to be discussed is how to stop the fraud.

Ranting doesn't stop anything. It just raises your blood pressure.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Lots of new legislation begins with ranting.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

All I am saying is, it isnt always so cut and dry.

I can only speak from what I have actually lived through.

I started having issues in 2006. Was unable to work for 2 years before attempting to see someone about disability.

That took another, nearly 3 years.

I get 500 a month. The boys have medicaid.

That's the total of my welfare.

I don't qualify for anything else according to my local DEFC.

And I had to take in documents to prove my citizenship and I have to resubmit them every 6 months.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

lilyofcourse wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
Yeah really.

No, they are really not. $21,600 in disability is only $1800 a month. With 2 minor children, she'd get her disability benefits and each of the kids would get dependent disability benefits. I JUST got my SS benefit thing in the mail and if I went on disability, my total family amount would be about $3000 (I would get about $1600 a month, plus the kids would each get a check), so $1800 for a mother with 2 kids is not stretching. I know people who get food stamps and they easily get several hundred dollars a month in food stamps and we are in a low cost area. People in higher cost of living places get a lot more. Section 8? Yeah - they pay about $1000 a month.
So, Lily, exactly which part is exaggerated?
You have a high paying job.
And those numbers they quote are not what you get.
And not every child gets the SSI.
I'm not going to turn this into a debate over how much.
What needs to be discussed is how to stop the fraud.

Ranting doesn't stop anything. It just raises your blood pressure.

But "how much" is the reason so many commit the fraud. And I'm very familiar with how SS disabilty payments work - I was a child who recieved them for years and so were my siblings.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

lilyofcourse wrote:
All I am saying is, it isnt always so cut and dry.

I can only speak from what I have actually lived through.

I started having issues in 2006. Was unable to work for 2 years before attempting to see someone about disability.

That took another, nearly 3 years.

I get 500 a month. The boys have medicaid.

That's the total of my welfare.

I don't qualify for anything else according to my local DEFC.

And I had to take in documents to prove my citizenship and I have to resubmit them every 6 months.

Other than you, I've never known anyone to take 3 years to get disability when they need it. Was it a bad lawyer or a bad doctor?

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lawyerlady wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
All I am saying is, it isnt always so cut and dry.

I can only speak from what I have actually lived through.

I started having issues in 2006. Was unable to work for 2 years before attempting to see someone about disability.

That took another, nearly 3 years.

I get 500 a month. The boys have medicaid.

That's the total of my welfare.

I don't qualify for anything else according to my local DEFC.

And I had to take in documents to prove my citizenship and I have to resubmit them every 6 months.
Other than you, I've never known anyone to take 3 years to get disability when they need it. Was it a bad lawyer or a bad doctor?

The backlog in this district has a 2-3 year waiting period for a hearing.

In the meanwhile, I went to doctor after doctor.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

We see this a lot here. People really learn to play the system. They'll get on welfare and they realize at some point the welfare is going to end because the kids will age out so then they start doctor shopping and find one who will give them a diagnosis to get disability.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Court appointed doctors.

Saw 4 of them.

My rheumatologist never signed off on anything. He said he would never fill out a single paper for anyone. He would release his files for the courts to decide.

Went to him for years.

My regular doctor just refers me to someone else. Doesn't matter what.

I'm sure there is doctor shopping that goes on.

In my opinion, if you can afford to doctor shop, you don't need the help.

NAOW · Vette's SS

I had a friend do this. She was a single mom with two kids and decided she had worked all her life and wanted a break to stay home with her new baby. I know her kids had health insurance, they had food stamps and WIC, she had government housing and a break in her utilities, and I'm not sure if there was anything else. Her boyfriend (father of the baby) gave her cash for her other bills and spending money. She thought about filing for child support because she would get more money that way, but the lady actually told her not to, because if she did that she would lose the other benefits. So she felt perfectly justified doing it, since they told her too.

When they decided to get married she was bummed at the 'loss of income' because now they had to pay for rent and groceries.

She is a really nice person, and she has since went back to school and has a job.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

There is a lady at my church who said she's just plain tired of working. She worked low paying minimum wage jobs all her life and is tired. So she quit and started seeing a doctor about some "back pain". She filed for disability. It took her two years and a lawyer but she got her full disability. She can work she just chooses not to. I don't doubt that she has SOME back pain but enough for disability? I doubt.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

NAOW wrote:
I had a friend do this. She was a single mom with two kids and decided she had worked all her life and wanted a break to stay home with her new baby. I know her kids had health insurance, they had food stamps and WIC, she had government housing and a break in her utilities, and I'm not sure if there was anything else. Her boyfriend (father of the baby) gave her cash for her other bills and spending money. She thought about filing for child support because she would get more money that way, but the lady actually told her not to, because if she did that she would lose the other benefits. So she felt perfectly justified doing it, since they told her too.

When they decided to get married she was bummed at the 'loss of income' because now they had to pay for rent and groceries.

She is a really nice person, and she has since went back to school and has a job.

LOL "all her life"? What? 15 years? Man, she needs a reality check.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Yeah all her life!

NAOW · Vette's SS

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
NAOW wrote:
I had a friend do this. She was a single mom with two kids and decided she had worked all her life and wanted a break to stay home with her new baby. I know her kids had health insurance, they had food stamps and WIC, she had government housing and a break in her utilities, and I'm not sure if there was anything else. Her boyfriend (father of the baby) gave her cash for her other bills and spending money. She thought about filing for child support because she would get more money that way, but the lady actually told her not to, because if she did that she would lose the other benefits. So she felt perfectly justified doing it, since they told her too.

When they decided to get married she was bummed at the 'loss of income' because now they had to pay for rent and groceries.

She is a really nice person, and she has since went back to school and has a job.

LOL "all her life"? What? 15 years? Man, she needs a reality check.

Right?! And actually it was closer to 10 years.

WYSIWYG · Guru

I think the numbers in that piece may be off by a bit, but the message certainly still rings generally true otherwise.