Last year I applied for food benefits because I was only getting my rent and bills covered and my mom was buying groceries for me and my kids and also things like dish detergent, toilet paer, and things my kids needed. I do make more money now than before.

In non winter months my gas and electric bill are about $70 total, winter months i'm looking at $230 which is hurting me. I believe next month my finances and budget will be in control and will be able to provide groceries and extras for us on my income. A EF of $600 will be in place the next month.

I believe that child support of $250 monthly will start coming in regularly so that could be applied for extras, emergencies, and food.

I recieved a letter today with paperwork to fill out if I wanted to recieve food benefits for another year. It takes about 2 months to get approved for food benefits if you don't already have it here, which I already have so it would continue with no interruptions.

I don't want to need it but do use it because I want my children to eat good.

I have an appointment for WIC next week, the milk, juice, eggs, and cheese will help alot.

My question is I think I could get by without food benefits, well I want to really bad. SHould I make the leap and try to get by without?

I'm gonna give you my honest opinion...I think you should get it. Your finances are not where you want/need them to be yet. Child support (whether court mandated or not) is never set in stone. Take a burden off of your shoulders and get the WIC. That will be a guarantee that your children will be eating a well-balanced diet that won't cause you terrible financial strain.

BTW...your girls are adorable.

Stephanie

I agree with Stephanie ( both about the assistance and about your adorable girls ;) ) . If something should change for any reason (i.e. the child support, work situation, etc.) you wouldn't want to have to reapply and wait for assistance again. Things seem to precarious now to take that risk.

--Michelle

I agree with the other gals. I never get CS. Even if they say you should be getting it or will get it that really doesn't mean much. The kids have to eat whether he forks up that money or not.
If it's going to cause financial hardship- and it sounds like it will- and you qualify for it( aka acording to the govt are poor enough to need it) then yes, you need it. Take it. I agree. The girls are adorable!

I think you should fill out the paperwork, too. Personally, I wouldn't count on the child support coming in on a regular basis, until it actually does. (A lot of men quit their jobs as soon as the wages are attached.) Food stamps and WIC will keep the bellies full. Take the opportunity to use the child support you do receive to build up a cushion.

I agree with smk0817. Understand your not wanting assistance however it is better for you and your daughters to have the assistance. As long as you qualify I don't see why you should worry. If your circumstances change where you definately know you can cover all expenses you can always call and tell them you no longer need their services.

I have known people who have had this assistance and they worked also. One person I knew didn't make more than I did at the time and all I could think was good thing she is getting assistance for her and her daughter because I was struggling at the time with just myself.

I agree with the others here: You are working very hard and trying to get on your feet......I think you should stay on it and keep working the way you are. If after another year you think you can be alright you can revisit the question. But as you say in your post your little ones are your first priority, so go ahead and get the help.

Best Wishes,
leezza

I say take it one more year. You don't want to have to worry about food if something happens.

I would get the assistance. If you find you don't need them you don't have to use them. I believe if you dont use them they revoke them after two or three months. So it's not like money going to waist , it will just go back into the pot.

I agree with the other posters. Use the benefits available to you, it is nice that you don't want to but it is in the childrens best interest if you get assistance.

There is NO shame in doing what is necessary for your adorable children. That is what the programs are for. Any of us could be in your situation at the blink of an eye. I would rather swallow my pride and do what you can for your children than sit back and keep asking family for help. Maybe one day you will be in a position to help somebody else, either in a financial way or by just telling your story about how you struggled! I am inspired by just listening to your day to day struggle.

Tossing in my 2 cents here as well...

Keep the food stamps. You don't have to use the full amounts, I doubt they will penalize you for going under the limit. If you want to see if you can make it without them, then see how you do, not using them, and if you find yourself falling short, you know that they are there.

I know when the ex and I first separated, there was no CS, and I needed FS. They awared me $300 a month... and that was for me and DD who was around 30 months old, and I was already on WIC, I thought it was an insane amount. I bought only what I needed.

Too many times people who don't really 'need' them get them, and then buy things like Lobsters. Yes, really, there was a big scandal back then, people were buying Lobsters with the FS and everyones receipts were being called in to the offices for reviews.

Not to be the bearer or bad but if they think you have a cushion of $600.00
They will make you use that first. I know they did me...

I agree with the others here whole-heartedly. You are doing really well digging your way out of the hole. But you need to make certain your children are fed. If it was just you, I'd say, go for it, but not when you have those darling little girls to take care of.

Take it from me, never count on child support until the money is in your hand, not even when the judge orders it. Some men will doin anything to keep from paying - I know - I was married to one of those men.

I say even if you don't think you will need it, get it. You don't have to use all of it like the PP have said.

I say get them use them stock up on non parishables. That way you have a start of your stock pile
Fern

I agree with all the others. Take the benefits and use them to continue on your path of getting your financial house in order. I've been following your posts and I know that you are using them as a helping hand up and not as a handout.

I didn't mean not to go and sign up for them.
Go and get it your girls and you deserve it..

I would sign up again for another year. You never know how things will go for you. I was single and working two jobs and barely able to feed myself a few years ago. If I had had children to take care of I would have signed those papers for help with food. It was just me and I was able to scrape buy and make things last with help from may family cleaning out their cupboards a few times a year and giving me their "canned and dry good donations" After throwing out the expired foods, I was able to help beef up my pantry a little. I don't know how nutrisiously I ate then though, and your girls definitely deserve the healthiest start in life :).

Absolutely get them - you don't even have to be completely destitute to get them - go to the govt. website that was on here a week ago and check. I think they give the income guidelines.

It's also none of their business who buys your HBA - don't let anyone make you feel guilty, corporations get money from the feds. The rich pay a lower percentage of income than the rest of us (by rich I mean the upper one percent of the income scale).

The don't count on one penny from him until you've cashed the check and even then make sure it has cleared through his account.

You and your girls deserve to have your needs met.

....and sign me up for agreeing with the above folks.

God forbid something happens to rock the boat or the C.S. is delayed, well, you might be kicking your self. Sign up, you will sleep better at nite and then if you get the C.S. and can count on it regularly, then you can change things later in the year. With the prices of food, fuel, etc...going up, better to be safe than sorry! Sounds like you are doing great though!

I thought everyone would tell me to try to do without. I can see the reasoning to stay on until I have things more secure and I don't want my kids going without.

I have to check into about what you are allowed to have in savings. I do want to start saving for a house and have a ef fund.

If I don't need it then I don't have to use it.

Thanks for the advice.

I totally agree that you should continue receiving the benefits as long as you are determined eligible. If you happen to have extra and have reported all your income, then you should not feel guilty for saving any extra money. Be proud of all you have done and where you are going. Take the benefits as long as you can and save all you can and that way, you may never need the benefits again. That's what the government wants for you afterall. You're receiving a helping hand to a brighter future for all of you.

I agree with everyone else. Sign up for it again. Your girls need it. They deserve nutritious food to get the best start in life as possible. The better nutrition they have in their early years, the healthier they are as adults. You are doing fabulous, but there is nothing wrong with a hand up. I also agree with the person that said to use it to stock up your pantry a little. It will cover you a little if you get sick again.

I also agree with the CS stuff. I know of so many mom's who don't get their CS in a timely manner. Most of them don't get it at all. You can't always count on it. Please be aware that if he gets a tax return, you can get it if he is in arrears on CS.

I would certainly keep it up, agreeing with the other ladies about cs. You could also be getting a nice lil stash for next winter when the utilities go back up and the holidays hit as well. It's only assistance your still doing what your suppose to be to support yourself and your adorable girls. When your driving the Jag and vacationing in Europe then you might want to rethink it:skept:

I have an appointment this Thursday to go on WIC and appointment next week to review my information and determine the food benefit amount.

I'll take the help until I get my money situation to be stable.

Oh honey if you need it, apply for it.

I think you should continue to get the benefits. You have struggled so much with paying your bills, especially when you were sick. What if the child support doesn't come on a regular basis, what if one of your kids gets sick or has an emergency. I think you need to continue the benefits for a while longer until you have a larger EF and can actually cover your bills year round with ease. Good luck!

i agree sign back up. If anything you can stock up some canned goods, and other things that wont expire soon. That way anytime down the line if you do not get benefits, and are having a hard time you will have soemthing to fall back on. (hugs)

I agree also to sign up, there is nothing wrong with it, and you are one of the few who aren't trying to take advantage of it. I would not put my EF money in a bank though, I would leave it at home, I wouldn't want them to have any reason to take it away.

I agree too.

Get them, and if you do get regular CS put it into an EF for when you get in a tight spot!

You are a working mom, with small girls that you are trying to support.I am uneasy about the child support being steady.Go ahead and get the assistance.( I think it is very noble of you to make the attempt to have a go without it.The father may not be so honorable. I do not want to see your girls do without.)

you bet get the help!! I had 3 short stints on WIC in my life due to various hardships. There is no shame in it, and it is desgined to help when life gets hard!!

ps - I know a bunch of great things to make with milk, eggs, and cheese :)

You should also see about getting HEAP to help cover heating costs. I'm not sure if they can do this at DS, but if not they can tell you where.

Last year I applied for food benefits because I was only getting my rent and bills covered and my mom was buying groceries for me and my kids and also things like dish detergent, toilet paer, and things my kids needed. I do make more money now than before.

In non winter months my gas and electric bill are about $70 total, winter months i'm looking at $230 which is hurting me. I believe next month my finances and budget will be in control and will be able to provide groceries and extras for us on my income. A EF of $600 will be in place the next month.

I believe that child support of $250 monthly will start coming in regularly so that could be applied for extras, emergencies, and food.

I recieved a letter today with paperwork to fill out if I wanted to recieve food benefits for another year. It takes about 2 months to get approved for food benefits if you don't already have it here, which I already have so it would continue with no interruptions.

I don't want to need it but do use it because I want my children to eat good.

I have an appointment for WIC next week, the milk, juice, eggs, and cheese will help alot.

My question is I think I could get by without food benefits, well I want to really bad. SHould I make the leap and try to get by without?


I HAPPILY pay my taxes so that people in your type of situation don't slip through the cracks. You go get whatever government benefits you are entitled to and don't feel ANY guilt about it, girl!!!!!

WIC, food stamps, whatever. We don't let children and single mothers go hungry - not in MY America. Doesn't matter what your story is.

Besides, you are on the right track. You just remember to pay it forward.

I don't apply for any heating assistance. I have got help 2 years ago when I had a disconnect notice for gas. I knew my heating bill was going to be high because it is set at 74, it needs to be at 74 and no less to keep my youngest ezcema under control. I work more hours to have that covered. I wouldn't feel right asking for heating assistance knowing my thermostat is set at 74 all the time.

I HAPPILY pay my taxes so that people in your type of situation don't slip through the cracks. You go get whatever government benefits you are entitled to and don't feel ANY guilt about it, girl!!!!!

WIC, food stamps, whatever. We don't let children and single mothers go hungry - not in MY America. Doesn't matter what your story is.

Besides, you are on the right track. You just remember to pay it forward.

I agree. That's why we have assistance - so people can try to better their situations and eventually get off of it. That's exactly what you are doing, so keep working your plan.

Thats what HEAP is for so your little girl can have it on 74 for health reasons.
You can get HEAP here 2 times a year.
Go for that too... No shame whatever

Fill out the paperwork, and if you don't end up needing it you don't have to use it.

I got my paperwork in the mail Saturday. I got approved for $300 a month in food benefits plus I am signed up for WIC also.

I'm only go to use it if I need it. It's a peace of mind knowing we could have plenty of food if I couldn't afford to buy it myself.

Just remember if you do not use the $$ they may cut your benefits. i would stock up on canned goods/pasta/etc. Glad you got some help. Did you look into the heating assistance yet?

No I didn't. I put a lot of money onto my gas bill so I shouldn't owe now until April or May and I put enough money into a cd to pay for heating next year so I should be okay :)

I have to use the card once every 60 days or the previous months benefits would be taken off.

I haven't stocked my cupboards yet, waiting for a good sale on canned goods, etc

I'm glad you decided to apply for the FS and WIC. The $300 in FS will make it so you do not have to worry about your childrens nutrition.

If you qualify for FS, you will qualify for HEAP. Please apply for it -- it is meant to help families like yours get thru the winter by paying a portion of the cost.

It is there to help you so you can focus on raising your children in a safe environment. This will help you meet your goals sooner and eventually you'll be completely independent.

Feel good about how you are raising your little ones.

I am jumping in late here but I agree with everyone else on this issue. You are just making it and I hope that continues to be the case, but life doesn't always go smoothly and just incase there are hiccups in the road, you will be so happy to have the cushion in place. It sounds like you are doing a great job preparing for the months ahead. That along with the frugal skills you have learned will really help in the coming years. Use the benefits to help make everything a little bit easier right now.

I think it is great you are getting the FS and WIC. Now please, apply for HEAP. Especially since your daughter has a medical condition. It is wonderful that you are trying to be self sufficient. But do not forget you are working and paying taxes also for these programs. Don't feel guilty. As long as you qualify you should use whatever services available to you. It is not as if you taking advantage of anything. Also, these services can make YOUR life less stressful, which trickles down to your children also. Don't forget about yourself. Especially since you are the primary care giver.

Take care.

hope all works out

YES!!! get the benefits!!!!
:yippee:

Well I am glad that you got the help you needed. I belive that if people need the little extra help then they should go for. I know this may sound harsh what I am about to say next. But at the same time that I despis the people that who abuse the system like that. When people in need like you and others that really need the help they have a hard time getting fs and wic. I have seen it way to often here where I live. Where people that are can work and just to lazy get a hugh $$$ amount when the apply and approved for fs. Then people that are in need of them can't get approved sometime. Like my dm. She is on disablity. She applied for fs she was approved for like $150. Then when she got a slight increase in disablity income then they dropped her fs to I think like $67 a month. Well to me the at burns my butt sometimes. I guess that I have my own personal veiws on it. Beause I have actually seen both sides of the coin.

I have personally seen where someone that really needed the help couldn't get any because of the fact they were either married or had no children.

I do not think it's always fair the way they determine who can recieve help, etc

I have personally seen where someone that really needed the help couldn't get any because of the fact they were either married or had no children.

I do not think it's always fair the way they determine who can recieve help, etc

No I don't either, I'm in Michigan, went years before without insurance, couldn't get any help because I made over minimum wage with no kids. But yet our neighbors (sell drugs, they have been raided) are on section 8, have a cadillac, jet skis, big screen tv's, etc...

If you think they are committing fraud you can turn them in anonymously

Definately get the help you need... i would go ahead and get the electric/heat help so that you can keep that extra money back. Because you never know when something could happen and you would need a little money for an emergency.

There are people who are truely in need. When I worked at Wal-Mart as a cashier (only long enough to put dh through school), I would see people with 600-700 in food stamps buying only the most expensive crap-food they could find:fuming:. If I were you I'd definatly reapply and stock up on things that you could use later on down the road. If you clip coupons you can stretch it extra far. :smooch:

Well I am glad that you got the help you needed. I belive that if people need the little extra help then they should go for. I know this may sound harsh what I am about to say next. But at the same time that I despis the people that who abuse the system like that. When people in need like you and others that really need the help they have a hard time getting fs and wic. I have seen it way to often here where I live. Where people that are can work and just to lazy get a hugh $$$ amount when the apply and approved for fs. Then people that are in need of them can't get approved sometime. Like my dm. She is on disablity. She applied for fs she was approved for like $150. Then when she got a slight increase in disablity income then they dropped her fs to I think like $67 a month. Well to me the at burns my butt sometimes. I guess that I have my own personal veiws on it. Beause I have actually seen both sides of the coin.

fill out the paperwork and send it in...if you make over the limit for assistance they will let you know...i was on food stamps for a year due to my becoming disabled and no income except daughters SSI and child support (total $600/mo)...when i received the disability they said i now made too much...won't hurt to send it in and if they say no, then reapply if your circumstances change to the worse again.

I agree with all of others. You seem to have a doubt whether or not you can make it without the food benefits. I think you should take the benefits and see where you are financially in a year. You never know what lies ahead in the future (what with food prices increasing and such).

Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders and are succeeding in pulling yourself up financially. Keep up the good work!!

It is a good thing I did reapply. I've had some crazy months where I barely paid my bills.

There is a program called Angel Ministry that thank goodness will help all people out. Income is not important.....They have their own website and it is fantastic.Please check it out also. Good luck because I have been where you are at now and I know it is hard......

Angelfood isn't worth it to me. My kids would not eat everything in the food package and what they would eat I can get for cheaper.

I can see it being a good deal for some people though.

I didn't read all the responses. If you qualify, get it. I would be the first to say don't get it but you sound to be truly in need. We get angel food and it has been a huge help. I detest meat loaf but will eat it 1 night a wk for 4wks because that was part of the package. I have told my dc, this is what we have. You can eat it or do with out. Would I like to buy what the dc and I want when we want? Sure, but that isn't the way it is right now. I figured the price and I am saving about $5 a box. That isn't much but it paid for 2 patterns and material for dd 3 outfits and ds 2 or 3 outfits.