Food Stamps

EnzoLeya · Feb 19, 2008

Originally Posted by Misty8723

I haven't read this entire thread, and without commenting on your situation with your SO, this is what I have learned about food stamps, at least in PA, where my sister lives. If you buy and prepare your meals together, you're consided a "family" for the purposes of eligibility. If you buy and prepare your meals separately, then you as an individual are the only one considered. It may be different in other states. The only way you will know for sure is to apply. Good luck!

Thank you for your advice. We buy our food seperately and cook it together. For example: if we want chicken each of us will buy a bag a chicken and cook it together. Same for veggies and such, he'll buy one can and I'll buy another, it's split right down the middle. I don't know if I will qualify because of that, but I have an interview tomorrow. I'm not going to lie about anything, I just want to know if I qualify for any help.

gailuvscats · Feb 19, 2008

Good luck. You should take his paystub with you and just have them check if the two of you would be eligible. If you are than both of you can make an appointment for them.

As far as partime work goes, I think you said you have a job?

There might be things you can do for cash, such as pet sitting, house cleaning, look on the bulletin board of the grocery store for ideas. shovelling walks when it snows. I always pay out the nose for that.

Are there any marketing companies where you are? You can be paid cash for being in a focus group.
Remember, when things get tough, the tough get going.

goldenkitty45 · Feb 19, 2008

Not sure - depends on the state rules. Since you are not married, you may be eligible for the FS. But then again, your state may want to know who all is in the residence and their income, etc. In that case, if he's counted, you would not be eligible.

Go and apply - if you get it fine, if not then you are out of luck. So when you guys getting married? And I would accept your logic ONLY if you were not living together. But since you are, its more of husband/wife then just roommates.

When you have a SO or spouse you really should combine incomes and pay household expenses together - that's part of a partnership. If you feel you are "mooching" off him, then you'd better re-evaluate your relationship.

When DH and I got together in one house (we planned on marriage about 6 months after moving in) he wanted to do a "portion" thing since we were not legally husband/wife yet - I threw a fit about it. IMO we were "married" at that point and so all income went in one pot to pay bills.

His ex-wife was not like that, so it was kinda new to him and he had a hard time at first to realize I was not like his ex when it came to household things

mschauer · Feb 19, 2008

http://www.workworld.org/wwwebhelp/f...rview_iowa.htm

bonnie1965 · Feb 19, 2008

First, no advice from me on your relationship

There's a reason I'm still single

Of course, not once have you asked for that type of advice.

Now, as to what you did ask: I know college students here who get food stamps. Living is just plain expensive. My sister gets them, she has a child though. The students I know who use FS are hard-working and great students, too. It isn't all that much but even $50 a month is a godsend when it comes to groceries.

There are also places here where you get get food baskets. You might want to check into that. Maybe someone at the FS office can point you in that direction. Soon, you will be out of school and things will look better financially

I don't qualify for FS but if I did, I would use them until I get a better job. Being broke ALL the time just stinks. Keep your chin up! Let us know how it goes tomorrow.

gailc · Feb 19, 2008

I just thought about the food pantries too. But I know they are also abused. One of my commercial clients is located by a large local food pantry. I asked why there are so many birds in the parking lot and they told me that many people don't like the bread that given out so they through it away in the parking lot vs not taking it in the first place.

Here are people getting free food and throwing it away instead not not accepting it and having the bread go to others that could really use it.

(*steps down from soapbox*)

ooomisseooo · Feb 19, 2008

It's usually a state program to help out those who don't earn much to live on.
Sadly, many ppl abuse that system which is why here in California they now issue u a card, sorta like a credit card, to purchase your food items.
Before they had that, they would issue u various money type bills. The ones who abuse that would trade those for drugs in liu of feeding their families.

strange_wings · Feb 19, 2008

^They switched to cards here too, for that very reason. Also because food stamps could easily be stolen as well.

Originally Posted by GailC

I just thought about the food pantries too. But I know they are also abused. One of my commercial clients is located by a large local food pantry. I asked why there are so many birds in the parking lot and they told me that many people don't like the bread that given out so they through it away in the parking lot vs not taking it in the first place.

Here are people getting free food and throwing it away instead not not accepting it and having the bread go to others that could really use it.

If the bread isn't that great (it might be too tough) it can still be used for toasting and making french toast... that's a big waste.

And I didn't know that the original poster's SO was having a bit of problems making ends meet too (that info wasn't included till later). If that's the case, do what you can to feed yourself. If nutrition suffers it only makes the person weaker and more prone to getting sick too - not something that will help if you're trying to make ends meet at a job.

green bunny · Feb 19, 2008

Personally, I would be hesitant to go on food stamps. If there is absolutely no other option, however, then you should do what's right and healthy for yourself. Definitely eating the right food now will help eliminate problems later down the road, such as osteoporosis.

Being a responsible adult does not only mean that sometimes you have to go without, but also to learn to graciously accept help when you need it. You should try to set a time limit for yourself to get off food stamps, and work to make sure you keep that date.

Also, in response to some of the others' viewpoints, I'm not one of those people who think that when you're married, everything becomes jointly owned. I don't think it should be a crime to want to keep your independence while married. If I ever get married I will insist on having separate bank accounts accounts, plus one joint account for household and family expenses. To ensure your own protection in an event something goes wrong is incredibly important.

What if you found out the person you were in a relationship for 2 1/2 years with, lived with, and then married had other ideas and subsequently stole all the money you now owned jointly and spent it on his/her new girlfriend/boyfriend so you couldn't pay the morgage on the house you bought together 2 months earlier? What if one of you develops an addiction and then squanders all of your money on booze/drugs/gambling? This latter one happened to my parents; my father was in charge of paying the bills, but he stopped doing that and drank the money away. As a sidenote to that, both partners should make sure that the bills are paid.

If in the future I inherit my father's large comic book collection, there's no way that, if my (possible) husband and I divorce, he's taking my father's comics with him.

Tricia

capt_jordi · Feb 19, 2008

Originally Posted by Green Bunny

Personally, I would be hesitant to go on food stamps. If there is absolutely no other option, however, then you should do what's right and healthy for yourself. Definitely eating the right food now will help eliminate problems later down the road, such as osteoporosis.

Being a responsible adult does not only mean that sometimes you have to go without, but also to learn to graciously accept help when you need it. You should try to set a time limit for yourself to get off food stamps, and work to make sure you keep that date.

Also, in response to some of the others' viewpoints, I'm not one of those people who think that when you're married, everything becomes jointly owned. I don't think it should be a crime to want to keep your independence while married. If I ever get married I will insist on having separate bank accounts accounts, plus one joint account for household and family expenses. To ensure your own protection in an event something goes wrong is incredibly important.

What if you found out the person you were in a relationship for 2 1/2 years with, lived with, and then married had other ideas and subsequently stole all the money you now owned jointly and spent it on his/her new girlfriend/boyfriend so you couldn't pay the morgage on the house you bought together 2 months earlier? What if one of you develops an addiction and then squanders all of your money on booze/drugs/gambling? This happened to my parents; my father was in charge of paying the bills, but he stopped doing that and drank the money away. As a sidenote to that, both partners should make sure that the bills are paid.

If in the future I inherit my father's large comic book collection, there's no way that, if my (possible) husband and I divorce, he's taking my father's comics with him.

Tricia

That is exactly what happened to my mom (and what happened to my college fund

) Only her ex didnt remember where he spent it... that was a load of... never mind thats another thread!

There is nothing wrong with wanting to help yourself out. And while your SO may be able to afford to pay for his food, buying for 2 does add up very quickly!
Good luck with your interview! Keep us updated!

lunasmom · Feb 19, 2008

*steps onto soapbox*
I'm assuming that your SO is the same age like you. So therefore I think its horrid that people are critiquing about your SO who I assume is probably only 20/21. It's rare that you see anyone at that age that is able to support more than one person without a second income.
If he was making $50K a year and claimed he is "tired" of supporting her, then he's a jerk. However I doubt that he's making more than $10/hr at no more than 20 hrs/wk. Some parts of this country, yes that's alot of money...in many parts that rarely covers a lot.
*steps off soapbox*

Enzo - here's a link that directs to the Food Stamp Program in IA. Good luck!
http://www.workworld.org/wwwebhelp/f...rview_iowa.htm

dixie_darlin · Feb 19, 2008

Originally Posted by lunasmom

*steps onto soapbox*
I'm assuming that your SO is the same age like you. So therefore I think its horrid that people are critiquing about your SO who I assume is probably only 20/21. It's rare that you see anyone at that age that is able to support more than one person without a second income.
If he was making $50K a year and claimed he is "tired" of supporting her, then he's a jerk. However I doubt that he's making more than $10/hr at no more than 20 hrs/wk. Some parts of this country, yes that's alot of money...in many parts that rarely covers a lot.
*steps off soapbox*

]

You're right... It's very VERY hard to support yourself off of $10/hr much less 2 people..... I'm doing it for 3!

Food Stamps

EnzoLeya

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gailuvscats

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goldenkitty45

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mschauer

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bonnie1965

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gailc

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ooomisseooo

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strange_wings

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green bunny

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capt_jordi

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lunasmom

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dixie_darlin

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