I just ran it through our states screening process at
http://www.in.gov/qualcheck/ControllerServlet.
A single parent, with 3 kids, making 26K a year only qualifies for some Food Stamps and the kids only qualify for medicaid assistance.
Big difference.
Then they will not qualify for the maximum amount since they have income coming in. Most likely it is only about $300-350 in food stamps.
No help with day care.. no insurance for the parent.. no cash assistance... no utility assistance.
They would qualify for reduced..possibly free lunch pricing at school.. They are at the transition mark there.
Welfare varies state to state. Perhaps the standard of living is higher there than here in Indiana, or your state needs to take a look at its list again.
You're right. A 3bd apt here goes for about $800-900 in a not so nice area in town. Most will require you to pay the utilities too. Daycare is at least $150/wk for this family, if not more depending on how many are in school. If even one of them is not of school age, and not in head start or similar program, then you can easily double that figure.
Its not a freebie. You also have to meet with your case workers on a regular basis or they will shut you out. They recertify you every 6 months so that you can't take advantage very long. There is also caps on the amount you can receive and once you are on the rolls, the amount of cash you get if you qualify, does not go up if you have any more kids.
If the other parent is alive, they will go after them for support.. and do everything in their power to make someone else responsible...to get them off the rolls.
While unfortunately there will be people taking advantage anyway, the majority legitimately need this help, and are actively working on getting their education and training to lift themselves out and succeed.
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