Unemployed Apply for Food Stamps!

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 03-28-2009, 04:32 PM

Well I never thought I'd tell anyone this til I got the letter today in the mail. After 20 plus years in the construction industry we've been without steady work for the last 17 monthes. Things have gotten worst in our area and construction has come to a stop. We went throught our savings and have sold off what we can. We've both looked for full time work and only found parttime. I'm thankful for that.
Last week I applied for food stamps online. I was approved! Had to go to the service office with some paperwork but the lady said, "Why didn't you apply last year when things got bad? You could have had help since then. My PRIDE kept me from doing it. Now I'm so happy I did. We quailified for almost $500.00 a month!! I can't believe it. I've been struggling and scraping and crying myself to sleep with worry all for nothing.
Here in Florida if your self-employed and your out of work you don't quailify for unemplyment but that doesn't include food stamps. Surprise! Surprise!
If your in the same rubber raft as we are apply! I urge you to give it a try. It may just help you save your home like it will us.

Laurie in Bradenton

**hotprincesscm** · 03-28-2009, 04:43 PM

Good for you for making such a tough decision for your family! It really is such a big help not having to worry about feeding your family! That's what those programs are there for...helping families that really need it!!

**Michelle** · 03-28-2009, 04:44 PM

I am sorry that you're having the troubles that you are, but I am happy that you were able to get some help. I hope things continue to improve in one way or another

**LastDragonfly** · 03-28-2009, 04:44 PM

Laurie, I am so glad you did that.. and I'm glad you posted this...you've been working hard all these years...this is what they are really for...not entitlement for those who want to keep having children (so they don't have to work)

I know you are so relieved! And I'm relieved for you....

*** here's my disclaimer so I don't get flamed....there are other instances where foodstamps are necessary...disability etc.

**Gardengal18** · 03-28-2009, 04:49 PM

Yes, this is exactly who it's supposed to be going to. It's supposed to be a "helping hand" not a way of life as some have turned it into. Hang in there, it's going to be a bumpy ride, but eventually we will get through this.

**Lisahas2cats** · 03-28-2009, 05:12 PM

We're in the same boat...DH had a secure and well-paying job where he was assisted a lot by his boss and coworker (he's begun experiencing cognitive deficits due to MS and probably should have stopped work months ago). Word came down in January that he was laid off, no warning at all.

I'll admit, I hate the looks I get now from the same cashiers who have always cheerfully rung up my groceries in the past....when they see the EBT card (because I'm too stupid to use it and have to ask for help, lol), their face just...hardens.

But we need it. And we've paid a lot in taxes over the years, so I'm *waiting* for someone to pop off at me in the checkout line using "their" tax dollars to buy flour and chocolate chips to make snacks.

On a related note, I called our caseworker to ask her what happens to unused EBT benefits at the end of the month....she sounded doubtful, but said they roll over to the next month. When I told her I'd only used 2/3 of the food stamps loaded on the card for the month she was shocked, LOL.....I told her I'd be happy to come teach a class on how to eat better than ever, even on food stamps!

Sorry to kind of vent...I just wanted to tell you you're not alone, and for you to keep your chin up

**happimommi** · 03-28-2009, 05:38 PM

We have been there and it is such a relief to not have to worry about how to feed your children. I made the mistake of telling a "friend" that we were recieving food stamps, so she started coming to my house and taking food when she felt like it. When confronted, she said she was entitiled to it since her husband's tax $ was paying for it. She is no longer a friend.

**ladytoysdream** · 03-28-2009, 05:51 PM

I have already did the math online and know we will qualify for some food stamps when I run out of unemployment benefits soon.
My husband does work full time but we are low income.
My unemployment is based on 15-20 hrs a week from my last part time job. I don't get much.

Unemployment in our county is now at 11 % . There are not many jobs in the paper anymore. And we are still seeing layoffs. Where my son works, they just laid off 19 people a week ago. And in the month of April they are telling their people to take the 3rd week of the month off, with no pay. It's just plain downright scary out there.

**Dancing Lotus** · 03-28-2009, 06:19 PM

Keep your chin up hun, you are doing the right thing. It's not easy to ask for help but take it from me, you aren't doing yourself any favor's by being too proud..

True story.. I have bad credit and struggle financially because of my pride. 7 yrs ago when I got pregnant with DD we did not have health insurance. We did not even try to get any government help because we weren't "poor". We could afford to pay for ourselves. Well maybe we could have if everything had gone smoothly. But it didn't and we ended up with over 50,000 in bills from the NICU. And still we were too proud and insisted we could pay it ourselves. It completely wiped out any saves we had and maxed out every credit line we had and left us with nothing to fall back on when my Dh got laid off. Let me tell you I have learned a lot from that.

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 03-28-2009, 06:33 PM

Thank you all for your words of encouragement! Its what I really needed tonight! I hope that by posting this I may help someone eles avoid the pain and terror I have.

You can always count on the girls in the village to come throught! And the guys too.

Laurie in Bradenton

**baxjul** · 03-28-2009, 06:51 PM

I'm so glad Laurie. We might be in the same boat soon! Good for you.

**Jilly** · 03-28-2009, 08:05 PM

You obviously are a very strong person with a great deal of moral conviction. I think you deserve every bit of what is offered by the way of assistance. You've worked hard and I'm sure your tax dollars went towards helping others in need before you. I admire your courage and your ability to vocalize what many may want to do, but pride gets in the way. Give yourself a hug. This too shall pass.

**butterflygreen** · 03-28-2009, 08:25 PM

Thats what the help is there for everyone needs help once in a while. I am glad it has helped you.

**MommyBliss** · 03-28-2009, 08:45 PM

Good for you. I'm glad you are using it and you have every right.

**ncarr** · 03-28-2009, 09:18 PM

don't feel bad at all. you have and your husband have PAID more in taxs over the years than you will use in food stamps. People who wok hard and hit hard times are exactly the kind of people who SHOULD receive the assistance. hang in there... things will get better.