This is why there is a stigma …
This story is all over the news here in the U.S. today CLICK HERE
I was instantly disgusted.
I agree that it was stealing, pure and simple.
You KNOW your benefit amount – you KNOW you’re exceeding it!
I’ve shared that my son and I struggled just a few years ago.
I had an amazing job at a well-known bank and made California wages in Arizona. That castle crumbled during the mortgage downfall … and in 2008 I was laid off. The bank eventually closed – which was incredibly sad. The founder lived locally and knowing him, and how hard he worked and how much he cared was heart breaking.
I had a nice severance that I used to try to keep my home – but it didn’t last long. I ended up losing my beautiful home, selling most everything I owned to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table.
I ended my 4 year marriage (for many reasons) made positive changes in my life and kept moving forward. Time went on and I was at the end of my financial rope. I did finally break down and apply for benefits. Medical and food. The basics.
I fought that decision – pride mostly. But, also because even though our cupboards were bare, I knew I was able-bodied and that others had it far worse than I did.
Friend after friend lectured me that I had paid into the system and I had my son to think of before my pride. They were right. I started working when I was 14, and have contributed to the system that is there to help people like me when the sea gets rough.
I continued to look for work, applying for anything – only to be told I was over qualified. And that food assistance was a life saver. Literally. I kept my head above water – ‘how’ is hard to recall right now. But I did.
When I did not only find a job, but a job in my field, it was a miracle in the market at the time. And as SOON as I did get my current job, I reported it to the State. My benefits ended, as they should have.
There were a few more months of struggle as I caught up on some bills that were behind, but catch up I did.
I was told that our health benefits would be stopped also – I made $39 per month too much.
That, I have to admit, was frustrating. I thought the goal was to ‘assist’. To help those who were helping themselves.
And by ‘helping themselves’ I don’t mean in a grabby, greedy, immoral way.
There’s already such a stigma to State benefits. When a group of people abuses the system it just makes it worse for those who don’t.
Posted on October 14, 2013, in Uncategorized and tagged ebt glitch, helping themselves, job, State benefits, stealing, unemployment, welfare fraud. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.
I felt sick when I saw this report too.I saw it from the other perspective a few days ago though, when at the 99 cent store getting Halloween lights. I saw three people leave confused and sad because the system was down! I mean they were not abusing the system, they were shopping at the 99 cent store for food! I couldn’t believe that there was not a back up system in place, for just such a situation. they could have used those slider machines like in the old days for credit cards. I don’t know…this whole thing makes me sad.
I agree … There was a lady in front of me at the grocery store who was having issues with her card, she had an alternate method thank goodness. 😦