How low does your bank account get before you give in and get food stamps
By sedel1027
@sedel1027 (17846)
Cupertino, California
July 19, 2008 9:05pm CST
Ours is getting really low. I don't think it has ever been this low.
My husband has been out of work for about a month. Since we are trying to get him employed full time and can't get my son in daycare, I have been looking for a job where I can work nights or early mornings and no one wants to hire me because I have too much office experience!
To give my husband some credit, he applies for about 5 jobs a day; has been on 2-3 interviews a week; and has 2 web development contracts waiting to be finalized (they have been in that stage for over 2 weeks though). I did go in to my old job and work a few days the week before last only because they paid me mileage ($13/hour doesn't cover the 32 mile one way commute).
We have enough food for about another week. Possibly enough to cover the bills this week.
Should I try to hold out and see if a contract or something comes through or should I just go get food stamps on Monday?
2 people like this
8 responses
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Jul 08
No, definitely not, I don't think you should hold off for another week and go on Monday to see about getting food stamps...knowing the red tape one has to go through in general, it might take them awhile just to process your application, and that could take awhile in itself...be sure when you go you have tons of "evidence" with you to show what financial "assets" you have, state that your husband is out of work, take copies of bills the works....you need a lot of proof that you're in need of any kind of benefits...but go Monday!
1 person likes this
@sherlock27 (913)
• United States
20 Jul 08
You just don't go and Get food stamps. you have to apply for them. Be prepared to answer many questions and have receipts about living expenses, etc. How do you pay for the internet service that you are using right now?? These are questions that you are going to have to answer. Are their any food banks in your area? They may ask you to fill out forms too. Be prepared!!!!
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
20 Jul 08
I already called the office last week. There is a one page form you have to fill out, that can be downloaded from the internet. The girl I spoke to said since we didn't have any income other than my one paycheck this month and we have next to nothing in our bank account we already qualify.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
20 Jul 08
We have a lot of "luxuries" because before he lost his job we paid a lot of the bills that were already due, like the cable/phone/internet bills (which is only $90/month for all services), cell phone bill is paid ahead through August; we had to pay out extra on the electric bills because of the deposit, that set us $150 behind.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
20 Jul 08
I would try to go get some food stamps myself. We are going through some very hard times right now also. We do not have money for much other than to pay the bills right now and that is about it. We do not have health insirance and my daughter had to go to the emergency room the other day. she has to have surgery some time this week to have a cyst removed from her ovary also. The bill is already $4000.00. We have to go and apply for Medicaid on Tuesday, so we can get help on her medical bills. Her dad is to carry her insurance but he won't even call me back and give me the information. I would get help now if you can.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
21 Nov 08
I don't know. I have raised 4 kids on my own and at times things were pretty darn tight. I did get food stamps for a very short time years ago when I was in a situation and found myself without a job. It did not take me long to get another job and as a result got cut off from the program. Since then, I just thankfully juggled and we somehow got by. I don't have any savings and never did. My bank account is simply to pay my rent, utilitys and bills. I do some very strategic budgeting to get by on what little is left. Oh...and I do not get child support. I have one daughter left at home. She is 14. I am sure i probably qualify for food stamps as I see people with much more income than I getting them. While it is tempting at times...I just don't want to go thru all the paperwork and all that is involved in it. It is degrading and it's like they own a part of you...you have to answer to them for everything. I also got creative and I sell incense bottles on the side. I don't earn enough that I actually have to claim it but it is cash that helps me pay for bills & my daughters needs. None of my kids have ever ever gone hungry, cold or naked. I guess it is a personal decision. If it means feeding your family or not then by all means, ditch your pride and go do it. Sometimes people do need that help. The fact that you are questioning it tells me that you are not one to use and abuse the system.
@MaeTsuen (257)
• Philippines
21 Jul 08
o.0 you can always try... it better if you try than you'll regret you never id... as long as you think it's good and that your family will not get hurt... then it's ok. try there's nothing wrong thus who knows the foood they might give are nutritional you could halp save some bills too for like a day...=)
@ngobis (237)
• Philippines
20 Jul 08
First of all, im sorry about your situation, and i do hope things work out soon for both of you.
About the food stamps, i think you should get them, after all thats where your taxes go.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
20 Jul 08
Please do not wait until you have a crisis on your hands before applying for assistance! Your tax dollars have helped to support these programs so why not take advantage of them when you need them? That's what they're there for. Everyone needs help once in awhile and your financial situation definitely sounds like you need help. Hang in there and get some help.
