Assistance advise....I make too much for assistance, not enough to live..what to do?

Question

I applied for child care assistance and was denied. I dont make enough to afford a regular daycare and the home daycare's are a mess. They are unreliable, they do more of their own stuff than watch my son. I'm a single mom, I make barely enough to get by but not enough to move forward in life. I want to go back to school, I want to get a car, I want to have everything my son needs without scrapping around for the cash. I have seriously considered quitting my job to stay at home with my son and take assistance for everything. I hate to live off the state when i am more than capable of earning an income but I am starting to feel like that might be the only option to keep my sanity. Does anyone have any good advise for me? thanks for reading.

Answer 1

Call the community resources hotline in your are for names of charities that will help. I am in the same situation and was helped by St. Vincent DePaul. They paid my rent and utilities for 2 months and saved me. Also, Apply for the energy discount program through your electric company. I save anywhere from 20-40% off of my electric bill every month with APS. Also, most telephone companies have a discount program. I save $10/month with Quest. They are about one page to fill out. All you have to do is call. There are tons of programs for single moms, but you have to do a little searching on the internet. Good luck.

Answer 2

Develop network of social capital (friends). Exchange favors.

Develop family with friends. Lots of grandmothers now end up taking care of grandsons.

Consider relocation. Some states (in the US) are more compassionate, and some nations are more compassionate than the US. In addition, some towns (maybe Pigeon Forge, Tennessee) have wealthy benefactors (Dolly Parton) or conditions which help the local economy. This can trickle down into the benefits (if not cash) paid to the local labor market.

Vote the bums out. Even if they cheat to win (again), it might cost them more, and those who look at the real record may wonder what it was the electorate *wanted*.

Rumor has it that J K Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter while on "assistance". This would suggest that in the UK at least, one may do that sort of thing, and it seems like the sort of occupation which would be compatible with personal child care.

Answer 3

go for child support. be a stripper. Call a escort service in your local yellow pages they will hire you on. You'll make a thousand dollars a day depending on how you look. my neighbor had the same problem you have.
She started working for an escort service, now she's doing good.
I'm not serious. Where is the dad? Why is he, or you not getting child support? Can no one in your family let you use them to take care of the child you obtained with a man who obviously could care less about the boy. Learn from the past. No more kid's from losers.. You can get assistance, but you will have to go to a bunch of different classes, and other changes to keep getting the assistance. Most people end up working in a nursing home. Do you want to do that? In the old days women could stay home and get welfare, food stamp, health care and free housing. But now a days, you have to go to training. Welcome to the jungle. Don't feel too bad "MI MI" I raised three children .. the are selfish, assholes. I will I'd gave them away at birth now.

Answer 4

I am in the same situation. Luckily last year my job started there own subsidy where they pay half. Depending on your line of work, it is sometimes n=more beneficial to just quit your job until your child is school age. although, my daughters have been in home day cares. Children actually like these better then centers because of the home environment. and alot of times they are more sympathetic to your needs and when you can not pay on time. you need to look harder at a home daycare. your local govt and they should have a listing of all licensed daycares in your area. pop up on some of them unexpected. Good Luck. i make too much also and still can not pay my daycare on time with the 50% subsidy. It is tough being a single mom .

Answer 5

Don't quit your job and live off the state!! I don't know about where you live but here in VA. you wouldn't be allowed to do that for very long anyway. You are going to have to research and research these home daycares. It's alot of work but there are really good home daycares around, you just have to find them. Ask some of the people you know, tour the daycare homes, ask if you can speak to some of the parents who already have their children in the home, find out if you can make drop by visits and then MAKE THEM (leave work a little early, go in a little late, drop by on your lunch hour, get permission for a close friend or relative to drop in unexpectedly). There are ways to make this work. Good luck!

Answer 6

My mom did home day care for years. She was great at it. For starters, keep interviewing home child care people. Second, look for a higher paying job, or seek a raise at the one you have. Maybe you can get a job somewhere that has tuition assistance (like Lowe's) so you can take a few classes a semester as well as work.

You probably can't live off the state anyway. I know in my state you only can recieve assistance for so long, then you are cut off.

Answer 7

Don't be discouraged. You sound like a great person, the fact that you actually care... is more then most. You should look into heating, electric and fuel assistance. Anyone can apply. There are minimal guidelines, each state varies. You should call your local town offices to see if there are numbers they have for you to call. They could at least pont you in the right direction. There is a lot of money out there for single parents and elderly, free money. I know for New England anyways. Best of luck and keep your chin up!

Answer 8

I'm sorry you have found yourself in this situation, but i can relate because i was alone and didn't have a great job for a while when my son was young. I know it's hard!

You can ask the salvation army for help or ask about resources for help by calling them. Also, sometimes churches have weekly food pantries where you can go, get a bag of food no questions asked... you will have to do the research in your area to find them.... maybe look in the newspaper?

You and your son would likely be welcome in any soup kitchen for free meals, too.

If there is a community action group in your area, sometimes they will help you get a lowered electric bill (grants to help pay for yours), and they may also help with food, and household items, such as cleaning supplies, etc.

I wish i had a magical answer to your question hon... but i DO hope you will get some good advice and answers here. take care.

Answer 9

it's very hard all around right now. I have been a single mom for 7 years now and I can tell you there are days when you feel like just throwing in the towel. Look around the community for churches and food banks who give assitance. Also check for community action agencies to help out with the occasional bill. Do you know anyone who you can barter with for babysitting like work opposite shifts of another single mom in your area who may need the help. Keep pressing on it will get better. Trust me I know. I now have my bachelor's degree and will be a school teacher next year!

Answer 10

Where is the Father in all this? You need to make him pay child support! When I was in your shoes, I started my own cleaning business with my friend. We made great money and had the flexibility to move jobs around when we needed to for our kids. I can't believe after all these years they still force you into taking assistance, because they are to stupid to see it would be cheaper to help you make it than to support you all the way! Like you I only made enough to pay the sitter and not enough to pay my rent. Think about the cleaning business thing, it saved me. Best wishes!