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i hear that there are a lot of beggars in the usa,what is the reason for this,can they noy get unemployment benefits.we have buskers in perth,but no beggars,do these people get any handouts at all if they genuinely cannot find work from he government.if true must be a terrible situation for some families

2007-03-20 15:04:01 · 10 answers · asked by fatdadslim 6 in Politics & Government Immigration

10 answers

They are called "pan-handlers" in the US. They are usually homeless people who depend on the generosity of strangers for their next meal. Since Ronald Reagan was President, almost all program to help the poor become self-sufficient have been eliminated. Unemployment benefits are regulated by the states, and each state has its own rules, usually requiring the person to work 6 months out of every year to qualify for benefits. Once benefits come to an end, that's it. If any other help is available, like Food-Stamps, and Medicaid, it is usually temporary and dependent on the person's ability to withstand victimization at the hands of bureaucrats and case-workers. Many states still have state-funded benefit programs, but as far as federal programs are concerned, there might as well not be any for all they're worth. Sometimes, all a person needs to be successful, is a safe place to sleep and shower. Not affordable in the US economic for anyone making within $2 of minimum wage. The legal, federal minimum wage cannot support a single adult, never mind trying to pull a whole family up out of poverty. People who resort to crime to feed themselves and their families often end up in prison, which is America's REAL unemployment program.

2007-03-20 15:19:50 · answer #1 · answered by correrafan 7 · 2 0

I've been to Perth many times. Take a bus ride out to Fremantle if you want to see the beggars. A lot of them are either pure Aborigine or of mixed race. They'll be stinking drunk if you don't get there before 10am.

I had a great time with a bunch of unemployed folks down in Oz back in the 80's. Many had been on the dole, collecting unemployment, for years. They also had jobs where they earned untaxed cash.

Have a Swan Lager on me.

2007-03-20 16:38:22 · answer #2 · answered by Yak Rider 7 · 0 1

In our city we have a Rescue Mission that makes 3 hot meals a day and also has a Hot Meal Mobile that goes around and feeds people in the streets. We have a homeless shelter, but you have to show up by 5 pm to stay the night. I give money to beggars. In my opinion, the money is not mine. Yes I worked for it, but I feel that God gave me everything I have and you should share the wealth. I have a home, a car, and a job. In an instant I could lose everything, but I have faith that God will keep me safe as long as I don't get too selfish and remain thankful for what He has provided me with.

2007-03-20 15:54:56 · answer #3 · answered by Mother of 5/Madre de 5 3 · 1 0

America is WAY different from Australia.

Over here, you only get Unemployment Insurance if you worked for 20 weeks out of the last 52 weeks, and if you lost your last job due to no fault of your own (that is, if you were laid off - if you got fired, or quit, you don't get UI).

You only get UI for 26 weeks - if you're still jobless after the 27th week, you're on your own!

We do have Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a program more commonly known as Welfare (that's our equivilient to your "unemployment")

But, you can only collect TANF for 5 years - and even then, you have to work for no pay sweeping the streets for your city or county government. And our TANF benefits are far more miserly than your country's unemployment benefits.

Also, you can only get TANF if you are a single parent (usually a single mother). If you're married and poor, or if your childless and poor, you're out of luck!

Some states, like New York, where I live, have Home Relief, which is a form of TANF for men, childless women, married couples and single moms who's TANF ran out.

Incidentally, a LOT of these folks are armed forces veterans. It's not at all unusual to see Vietnam, Gulf War and Iraq War vets begging on the trains and sleeping on the streets or in the shelter system.

But they also have to sweep the streets for no pay,and they are frequently forced off the Welfare rolls for various bogus reasons.

Also, in our major cities, ESPECIALY New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Honolulu, rent is very high. Many people here in NYC cannot afford to pay their rent, and we have thousands of people who live on the streets, and thousands more in the shelter system.

So basically, if you're poor, and you can't find a job, you may have to resort to begging. That's why you see people begging on the subways here every day.

Yes it is a terrible situation for many American families.

2007-03-20 15:14:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

They are pan-handlers. Some have mental problems, many are junkies, many pan-handle (or beg) as a career and make fair money doing it (go figure), some are homeless. There are shelters and such to help people who are down on their luck and have no where else to go but many of these people won't go to a shelter because they don't want someone telling them what to do (curfews, no drugs or drinking, etc). There are shelters for families, they provide food, shelter, clothing, ensure the children attend school and help the parents find a job and/or training and get back on their feet. There is no reason to be pan-handling, it is a choice (except possibly in the case of the mentally ill)...there are plenty of other options.

2007-03-20 16:46:44 · answer #5 · answered by Starshine 5 · 0 1

I don't know the reasons for all of them, but I know some are the drug junkies. There was also an article I saw a few years ago about some beggars that actually clear over $50k a year - and all tax free. There are some that just like that way of life, or don't want to be identified, or found.

Of course, there are a few that truly are down on their luck...

2007-03-20 15:10:42 · answer #6 · answered by steddy voter 6 · 1 3

It's funny that I came across your article just now. I live in Ohio, across the street from a Kroger grocery store. There has been a big fat young woman standing on the entry way where people have to drive to get to the store for about a week now. She is holding a sign...will work for food or money....She hasn't missed any meals and I sure wouldn't want her in my home working. Everytime I go to the store, I end up locking eyes with her and I know a look of disgust comes across my face. She is filthy and disgusting. Her hair isn't even combed. Why couldn't she clean up and go right down the street and get a job at Wendys. They need help. Could it be because she would have to submit to a drug test? Quite possibly. I realize there really are people out there that are down and out but with her a red flag goes up everytime I look at her. I get really pissed.

2007-03-20 15:21:55 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1 3

Unemployment benefits are directly related to the amount of time and amount earned prior to unemployment. Its a complicated formula which no one understands. We have loads of policy, legislation and the likes but have yet to come up with anything that works.

2007-03-20 15:15:56 · answer #8 · answered by CHARITY G 7 · 2 1

They have a serious allergy to work. Or they are druggies. No sympathy here.

2007-03-27 12:09:12 · answer #9 · answered by RoxanneZG 3 · 0 0

most don't like to work or have mental problems

2007-03-20 15:28:17 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1 1

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