can being on food stamps be a negative thing in some way or come back to haunt you in any way?

Question

if i remember right colleges , signing up for military service , jobs and other things i think ask you if you have ever had this type of assistance.why do they ask that and can it be a "permenant stain" in some way???

Answer 1

I went and got food stamps because they ruled it was income based, not need. I was in college, so I went and got them and ate like a king. I went on to law school and it has never come up except when I mention it.

Answer 2

There are lots of people in college who are in need of food stamps. I can't imagine they're very likely to keep you out because of need.

You don't have to be on the verge of homelessness to qualify for food stamps. It's not viewed as a personal weakness. And surely if you were on foodstamps and then went on to bring yourself out of poverty by going to college or joining the military, that would be seen as a positive. I've certainly never seen an application for anything asking about past assistance, anyway.

Like a previous writer said, there are quite a few people in the military who rely on foodstamps. It would be pretty hypocritical to stain your record because you once used food stamps and then not pay you enough once you were in to allow you to make it without that sort of assistance.

So I'm guessing the underlying question is should you go ahead and apply and I'd say yes. If you need the help and it's available, don't worry that there will be a permanent record following you forever. Even a bankruptcy is off your record after seven years. Food stamps aren't on your credit report.

Answer 3

I have never seen such a question on any application I have filled out for school, credit, employment or otherwise. Food Stamps are there to help you during your time of need. When you are financially sound again, you will not need them. Be sure to let them know when you are making enough money, as it will become a part of your permanent record if you defraud them, it will then be considered welfare fraud which is a crime, and is punishable. As long as you are honest and only collecting Food Stamps when you are legally entitled to them, I don't see how it is anyone's concern and I think it would be an invasion of privacy to ask.

Answer 4

It shouldn't, I don't know about military but if the companies ask, say truth, it's good for them and you. The company gets tax deduction, and if you are well qualified for the job you should be well considered, since you won't have assistance any more and you're saving the goverment money. Now usually they usually want to know if you had assistant lately I think the last 6 months or so. again I'm talking about companies. Military don't really know but I'm assuming it's for the same pupose
Good luck

Answer 5

I don't know because I've never gotten them but I have seen those questions on college aps and I do beleive they are a bunch of BS. Is it really necessary for them to know that stuff? Not everybody is born with a silver spoon in their mouth or a rich mommy and daddy to fall back on. My opinion is, as long as you're not caught abusing the system that kind of personal information should be kept confidential.

Answer 6

Depends on the circumstances you received the assistance for. There are well documented cases of military families that have had to apply for food stamps. Might hurt your promotion chances, but what else can you do ?

Answer 7

If a job didn't hire you because you were previously on food stamps, that would be considered discrimination. Even asking is inappropriate, it is none of their business.

Answer 8

It shows that you are a bum and unable to provide for yourself.