A story about Welfare: Fact or Fiction?

Question

Here are the details. You decide if this is a true story.
26 yr old single mom who works 3 days per week and attends college (full time) 2 days per week.
She has 3 children.
She gets $60 per week in child support.
She reports all her earnings to welfare.
She recieves $300 per month which she uses to pay part of her rent.
Welfare sends her a notice that says she must participate in a Workfare program.
She is now required to perform public service for 11 days each month.
The 11 days must be business days.
She visits the Workfare office and explains that she is working and attending school.
If required to complete the 11 days of Workfare she will have to either not go to her regular job or miss classes.
Workfare tells her "You must make hard choices but as a mother you must do what is best for your children. We advise you to stop attending classes."
She quickly learns that if she quits her job she will lose her welfare benefits.

fact or fiction?

I will post the ending to the story tomorrow. I think you will be surprised. Check back in.

Yes, the story is very true and someone guessed correctly that is was me.

I lost my benefits because I refused to quit school. I was court ordered to re-pay welfare $300 for the last month I recieved it. I lost my apartment because I could not make the rent payments.

The good news is that I ended up finishing school and I now have a Master's degree. I did several research papers on welfare reform and discovered that the caseworkers hands were tied:
-only 3 our of 10 people on welfare can attend "educational activities"
-educational activities can last no longer than 12 months.
-College is not an "approved" educational activity.

These are the federally mandated welfare reforms that were introduced in 1996.

Things turned out ok for me, I have a good job and nice life. I am looking for a way to speak on behalf of welfare "victims" who are given the horrible choice that I was.

Answer 1

I'm guessing its you . Fact

Answer 2

Don't know if it is fact or fiction but here is what I would do. Fill out the FAFSA (most likely already done), and get aid that can be used to supplement the aid lost via welfare. Yes it is possible to get aid above what is actually needed to go to school and it can be used for "any education related expense" Including rent, Internet service, or transportation among other things. Between that and working she might be able to tell well fare to stick it. If I had to guess I would say yes it is probably true because government agencies are stupid, heartless, and cruel.

Answer 3

Sadly, it's probably fact. I think Welfare systems tend to be rigid in the enforcement of their one size fits all rules.

I seem to remember a story about a father in Minnesota (I think) who was told his college courses didn't qualify as job readiness training! He was told his benefits would be cut off if he didn't attend some other short term program the welfare system required. This despite the fact that he would have to drop out of school to do so AND the fact that he was very close to completing the degree AND the fact that earning a degree probably would mean he'd never need welfare again in his life. Go figure!

Answer 4

sounds like truth.. they don't care if u ever get an education to improve urself but u can better know that they will cut off ur benefits in a heartbeat.. they don't care about the kids or the person getting the welfare...I know on food stamps u have to work 20 hours a week to keep the $10 or so u get every month..or be registered with and do what they workfare tells her to do.. Tell her to miss work and go..then if she gets fired, she can tell the state that she had to miss work to go to the public service req. quitting will lose her benefits..

Answer 5

Every state runs welfare differently.
If this is happening to you make sure you get the message to the Assemblymen, Governor, Senator, State Social Service Dept., even write letters too the Editor in your local newspaper. Get anyone to listen to you that you can.
The squeeky wheel gets the oil!!
What is happening isn't right.
It seems you have access to the internet. All of the agencies I just mentioned above are easily accessed by there websites.

Good Luck! Sometimes people get shitty people to work with who aren't dealt with by their authorities until someone sheds light on wrongdoing.
I can't believe that your state would rather have you quit your job or schooling to fulfill public service. Especially if you are receiving the money to go to school in the first place!
Are there any public programs available through churches or women's rights groups you can turn to in your area?
I would check into that.
Good Luck dear!

Answer 6

I'm sure it's true... it's a little too detailed to be false...

but, this is exactly why we need to renovate the welfare program... Republicans have forced in these "workfare" rules in certain states with little care and even less thought, because, as you can see on here, they always complain about the welfare people that do nothing...

so, now the person you're talking about is screwed... and can't actually make themselves better...

Answer 7

That sounds like it maybe true but under the current guide lines in order to receive any cash benefits in whole or in part one MUST participate in the Workfare program.

Answer 8

I'm not real sure if it's fact or fiction, but if you get cash assistance from welfare they do require you to take part in their stupid requirements such as job fairs and things like that. They should waive the requirements if she can prove her schedule. Some of the workers in the welafre office are real jerks though.

Answer 9

then that case worker needs to be reported to her boss. because if a person is already going to college and working .then that person is getting all the hours in .you are active 5 days a week right. then do not! let that case worker get away with this bull s---. because im sure theres other people that has been done that way.some treated better then others . ask for a new case worker.

Answer 10

True most likely! Give up on them,don't use them anymore! If you can make it on your own or with help from anyone,like family,boyfriend or spouse!! You have to get off welfare to get ahead! Make all your child support come to you , NOT to them !! Keep your Job for Income and GO to school !! Get medical Ins. for your self and kids through your Work Place !! You have to really Drop them and Depend on Your self! They take every dime you do get and They make it hard for you to ever get ahead ! You can't get ahead with there System!!!

Answer 11

Well, the story is obviously describing your recent experience with Welfare Services, so it's porbably true. And while it does sound to be a bit harsh, you have to remember that, like it or not, your current financial situtation makes you beholden to them. Thus, you should follow their rules. Why don't you just go to either your boss at work, or your teachers at school and convey the situation to them. One or both of them will surely make arrangements for you to miss some time.