The economy made me do it!
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
July 21, 2009 8:39am CST
I am of the firm belief that everyone should do everything in their power to avoid asking for any form of government help unless it's absolutely necessary.
Well, times are tough, and I grew tired of having to choose between paying bills or buying food! Our finances have been tight lately with bills and car repairs, and we've had to cut back on our groceries, which is hard to do considering I'm already as frugal as possible.
So a few weeks ago I applied for food stamps. Yesterday we found out we were approved. My husband and I were practically jumping for joy! Now we don't have to choose between feeding our family or keeping a roof over our heads! I don't have to wonder how I'll pay for these doctor appointments my kids need for school. I can fix the brakes on my van so we're safe when we have to leave the house! I'm feeling quite good about this.
Has the economy made you do something you wouldn't normally do? Have you had to ask for government help even though you're typically against doing such things?
2 people like this
4 responses
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
21 Jul 09
Hey kats! I'm glad that you finally asked for some help! You
obviously really needed it or you wouldn't have been granted
the food stamps and I'm really happy to hear that you got
them! I know how lousy it is to have to ask for the, but
it is even worse to continue on the way you were worrying
about feeding your family and trying to get everything done
and paying rent, bills and having enough food to eat! So
sometimes you have no choice but to do things you don't want
to do! Listen, I had to do it when I lost my last job and
had no other choice! I hated having to go get help, but I
did it because what else was I going to do? I worked hard
for over 35 years of my life and paid taxes! So now you can
rest a little easy and know that your family will have food
and you can get the things done that need to be done like
getting the cars fixed which for you is a necessity!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
22 Jul 09
It is a pretty big load off our backs. I am now even thinking about getting back on WIC. I forgot how much milk my kids go through until summer vacation started.
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Jul 09
I've only had to use government help the few times I was on short term disability and the one time I've been unemployed (knock on wood). But if I were having to choose between food and shelter, I'd have no problem with applying for food stamps either. That's what those programs are there for!
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
21 Jul 09
I was raised on food stamps, and spent the first few years of adulthood on them myself. I stopped using them when my twins were babies and we'd gone 5 years or more without them. It took a lot from us to even apply for them, but now I'm glad we did!
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
18 Oct 09
Thats great news for you and I am glad that you are getting a bit of help, I think if you are entitled to it you should have it! I hate having help from the government but because I have children I am entitled to it so I have it anyway although sometimes it is more trouble than its worth because if I don't get my details exactly right I end up losing money!
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
22 Jul 09
Growing up my mom was on food stamps. She still is, but wasn't for a period of time when my dad promised to buy the food for the house, and didn't. Actually I shouldn't comment on that as I am not quite sure if that's the truth or not. I was young, and was told this years later but am not sure if it's the truth. I've tried to apply for medicaid on my own before but stopped because, A. I didn't really want to do it and B. the process was too long and to evasive.
Lol. Well I am very glad that you now have food stamps so you don't have to worry about making the decision of food or no house.
