I just graduated from college and am currently unemployed. Since I make next to nothing, how difficult would it be for me to qualify for welfare assistance & receive foodstamps?
Can anyone with experience point me in the right direction,and let me know just how difficult the process actually is and what it entails?
**I am a young white single male, but my income is well below the poverty level. **
Thanks in advance.
2007-02-12 21:37:02 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Financial Aid
Welfare and Food Stamps are 2 different programs. Welfare was renamed Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) in 1996. This is a state run program from a federal block grant funding and is a cash assistance. Most states you need a dependant child under 18 in the home, and the income limit is usually very low (less than the poverty limit).
Food Stamps is a federal program, and basic rules are uniform from state to state. There is a very real possiblity that you do qualify for food stamps.
Look in your local phone book for county government offices. Most states they are listed as Department of Human Services. Some states they are listed as Public Aid (Illinois), or Families First (Tennessee).
Some states also offer cash assistance programs even if you do not have a child in the home. I am not familar with those programs because my state does not.
Applications: You have the right to file an application and be interviewed. Don't let anyone tell you that because of blah, blah, blah, that you are not eligible without an interview. The interview will last appx 1 hr. You will need to show identity (picture ID), residence (light bill, ect), proof of income (bring one complete month paychecks), all your shelter bills (rental contract, utilities), and your last bank statement. Resource limit is $2000. Gross income test (prior to taxes) is 130% of poverty limit, net income limit is 100% poverty limit. The amount of food stamps you receive is based on gross income minus deductions (earned income deduction, standard deduction, shelter deduction, ect.). Then 30% of remaining net income is used as a reduction from the max allotment for household members. $155 is the max allotment for one person.
There are time limits for the programs. Depending on the state, for TANF, it varies from 12 months to 60 months. For food stamps, if you are an Able Bodied Adult Without a Dependant Child (ABAWD), you can only receive food stamps for 3 months out of a 36 month period, without a work exemption. This would be explained in the interview, and if you meet an exemption.
Also check out Community Action Agencies. Names vary from location to location, but they sometimes can help with utilities. Section 8 and HUD can help with rental assistance. Unemployment offices run Workforce Investment Act (WIA) programs, which include short term training, on-the-job training, and job seeking help. Also check out AMERICORPS, and VISTA. These are also volunteer programs for poverty and rural areas, but do pay stipends. Check your local state website for government jobs.
2007-02-13 19:00:13 · answer #1 · answered by just_tracy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know a few the ones I know are truly the victims of circimstance. However, it seems they become trapped in doing that dance of "one step forward, two steps back". They're willing to work, but they don't know how to play the hiring game; they could work part time, but it makes more finantial sense to be full-time unemployed; they're doing everything by the book but entery level positions and collage loans still leave them qualified for food stamps. For lots of reasons the welfare system in this country has turned the people it seeks to help into Sisyphus - like characters. At some point, both society and the individuals must step back and realistically assess why boulder can never get anywhere. As for that family, my advice would be this: one can't live a life in crisis. It may well be that at some point they're going to have to figure out not just how to "make ends meet" but how to forge a new path all together -- to say goodbye to the SUV/ House/ and all they knew before.
2016-03-29 04:37:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello. If you are an idependant person, (i.e. Over 24, not living with parents etc.). Then all you have to do is go to the Public Services office near you. All you have to do is fill out an application and they will tell you if you qualify. Do a google search or go to your states website and it will have something there. Good Luck.
2007-02-12 21:43:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you just graduated from college you should obtain a job that gets you above the poverty level and be an asset to out society instead of a useless drain on it.
2007-02-12 21:41:14 · answer #4 · answered by JOHN D 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
single able body males for some reason do not qualify for anything..not right or fair..but that is the way it is..my suggestion is start looking for another job.....
2007-02-12 21:52:02 · answer #5 · answered by LeftField360 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Military is always looking for college grads.
2007-02-13 11:40:17 · answer #6 · answered by jonn449 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
o no , dont do it. youll never get out of the system.
2007-02-12 22:01:10 · answer #7 · answered by rick s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are young and able bodied...do like the rest of us do....get another job....
2007-02-12 21:44:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋