what happened to my grandson's food stamps

That really is a bad situation.

I would strongly encourage you to contact some local charities such as Caring and Sharing or Catholic Charities. If anybody has any other ideas please post them.

Unfortunately with the state budget cuts it probably won't get better.

Our family has never taken state support, however, my daughter is a single mom, working and striving to get her son's father the pay the child support he owes. She has been a year without support, going through the ever so slow court system. She was eligble for $213 in food stamps until last month. Now she gets $30 a month. That is nothing! We do not want to rely on state support, but until the father lives up to his obligations, what is she to do?

I have tried to find something on the internet about this but have not found anything. Can anyone tell me why the state of Florida cannot feed the kids!

Hi. I sympathize with your daughter's situation and am in no way giving the deadbeat dad a free pass...

All that said- I think the first thing your daughter should do is realize that support from the father is not the only means to her end. She will be empowered by this...

What if this guy was dead? What if she got pregnant under odd circumstances where there was no way to get in touch with the father. Would her life be over because there was no father to "live up to obligations"?

I gather I will be vilified for this reply but I'll take the heat because I think you need this tough love. Pls do not confuse me as someone who does not care. If I did not care I would ignore this and go to sleep...

Think outside the box.

When I was single I dated a self made single mother. Great gal with no college education or help from her daughter's father.

She needed to stay home and raise her baby. SO she went to the local YMCA, got certified in infant CPR, took out a free ad in the newspaper offering affordable daycare to other moms. In no time she was making more money than she knew what to do with. Last time we spoke she had 3 girls working for her running her business. She was looking for a hobby...

One example...

I KNOW your daughter doesn't have to count on the state or baby's daddy...

It IS that easy...

There were many before her in tougher situations and there will be many more after...

2 cents. Boy, I am nervous about what comes back but lemme have it...

G

Geo,

This sounds to me like someone who made a comittement and then welched on it, thus leaving a single mother in a bad situation probably overnight.

As for the father being deceased the child would be eligible for Social Security benefits until 18.

Our family has never taken state support, however, my daughter is a single mom, working and striving to get her son's father the pay the child support he owes. She has been a year without support, going through the ever so slow court system. She was eligble for $213 in food stamps until last month. Now she gets $30 a month. That is nothing! We do not want to rely on state support, but until the father lives up to his obligations, what is she to do?

I have tried to find something on the internet about this but have not found anything. Can anyone tell me why the state of Florida cannot feed the kids!

What does her caseworker say is the cause of the decrease?

I don't know how old this child is, but $30.00 will buy a can of formula that will last a week, or a pack of diapers... That's about it!
What does she do for childcare while she works?
This is why I quit a good job, because I couldn't afford the childcare costs. It's so hard to find here and quite expensive if you do find it. I didn't apply for any
state supported programs, because honestly dealing with the Dept. of Families & children is a nightmare, plus my husband probably makes "too much."
Making ends meet is still very hard though.

Geowicky,
Excellent post. It's something for everyone to consider at some point in our lives. Not an actual quick solution at this moment for this young single mother, but still helpful. It can be done.

.

Geo,

This sounds to me like someone who made a comittement and then welched on it, thus leaving a single mother in a bad situation probably overnight.

As for the father being deceased the child would be eligible for Social Security benefits until 18.

SWGB,

Agreed on both of the items...

But my point doesn't change. The sooner the young mother (and the poster) stop looking for and expecting help elsewhere the sooner they can both start to work toward a better solution...

My mom worked for $9/hr. at a Whitehall Jewelers in 2004. One day she took a leap of faith and quit. She started a house cleaning business for the wealthy in St. Louis and makes 3 to 4 times that net...

No college education. Just a great attitude and hard work...

Our family has never taken state support, however, my daughter is a single mom, working and striving to get her son's father the pay the child support he owes. She has been a year without support, going through the ever so slow court system. She was eligble for $213 in food stamps until last month. Now she gets $30 a month. That is nothing! We do not want to rely on state support, but until the father lives up to his obligations, what is she to do?

I have tried to find something on the internet about this but have not found anything. Can anyone tell me why the state of Florida cannot feed the kids!

My question is, does the father work and what kind of income is he bringing in?

I thought the justification for passing the recent farm subsidies bill was that it included items like food stamps that are unfortunately needed even more in the current economy. :idontno:

BTW, I'm all about the "bootstraps" ideology, but there are also times when a major change in your circumstances means you need a temporary helping hand. My aunt went on welfare after being divorced and was a single mother who couldn't get $ from her ex (don't think she ever got it all BTW). The short time period after her divorce is the only time in her life she has gotten any type of government assistance - that's why we have programs like that.

Being rude about how someone should have thought about $ before they got pregnant, shouldn't have to depend on a man, or saying they could just go get a job is not helpful - especially since the original post mentions that she is working.

I thought the justification for passing the recent farm subsidies bill was that it included items like food stamps that are unfortunately needed even more in the current economy. :idontno:

BTW, I'm all about the "bootstraps" ideology, but there are also times when a major change in your circumstances means you need a temporary helping hand. My aunt went on welfare after being divorced and was a single mother who couldn't get $ from her ex (don't think she ever got it all BTW). The short time period after her divorce is the only time in her life she has gotten any type of government assistance - that's why we have programs like that.

Being rude about how someone should have thought about $ before they got pregnant, shouldn't have to depend on a man, or saying they could just go get a job is not helpful - especially since the original post mentions that she is working.

Scooter, (and Goodwitch too because you thanked her post):
I assume the above was for me...

Pls tell me when or how I was rude... Pls tell me when I said someone should have thought about $ before they got pregnant or that they should go get a job...

You have the wrong guy...

My own grandmother received public aid. I cast no judgement and don't need a refresher on how there is nothing wrong with someone on hard times needing a temporary shot in the arm...

The original poster said- "Until the father lives up to his obligations, what is she to do"? And except for my attempts at changing our paradigm (and you calling me rude)-
the thread seems to be digging into the system and how/why the amt of foodstamps the young mother can get has dropped, what bill was passed, yada yada...

My thought is that the poster and the young mother can spend precious time trying to understand why foodstamp allowance was cut. We could all spin wheels thinking about how to get the deadbeat dad to pay her the $200. Sounds like a lot of heartache to me...

Or we could put our heads together and come up with a real solution...

But before this can happen- (IMHO) there needs to be a fundamental change of hearts and minds...

The original posting read to me like-
"There is nothing we can do until the deadbeat dad steps up and until then we are screwed because of what the state did. How can they do this?"

The poster and the mother can do more for themselves short term, midterm and long term than the dad or the state will ever do. Once they realize this- nothing can stop them...

Are these rude words?

:idontno:

It was not rude at all. I found it to be a very helpful post.

Some will read it differently but there is nothing that can be done about that.
.

I thought the justification for passing the recent farm subsidies bill was that it included items like food stamps that are unfortunately needed even more in the current economy. :idontno:

BTW, I'm all about the "bootstraps" ideology, but there are also times when a major change in your circumstances means you need a temporary helping hand. My aunt went on welfare after being divorced and was a single mother who couldn't get $ from her ex (don't think she ever got it all BTW). The short time period after her divorce is the only time in her life she has gotten any type of government assistance - that's why we have programs like that.

Being rude about how someone should have thought about $ before they got pregnant, shouldn't have to depend on a man, or saying they could just go get a job is not helpful - especially since the original post mentions that she is working.

More for you...

You bolded temporary above. Unless I am reading the original post wrong, it sounds like the mother has been without support from the father for a year and that during all of this time she has been receiving $230/month in foodstamps and that it was recently cut to $30...

Is a year temporary?

If you thought I was rude before then I shudder to think how I come off now. The quote in the original thread that served as the tipping point for me in reaching out with some tough love is this one-

"Can anyone tell me why the state of Florida cannot feed the kids!"

Where does this sense of entitlement come from?

Oh boy, go easy on me...

Geo, I also think you offered sound advice.

Way to go Geo!! Your posts on this thread are thoughtful and wise :clap:

Wow, this thread sure doesn't sound very compassionate. I don't know the circumstances but I do know losing $183 from your grocery budget without warning is quite a hit. I'm sure there are any number of shoulda, coulda, woulda's but those aren't very helpful.

I think SWGB gave the best advice.

I would also look on the Internet for single mom support sites and food budgeting ideas.

Scooter, (and Goodwitch too because you thanked her post):
I assume the above was for me...

Pls tell me when or how I was rude... Pls tell me when I said someone should have thought about $ before they got pregnant or that they should go get a job...

You have the wrong guy...

My own grandmother received public aid. I cast no judgement and don't need a refresher on how there is nothing wrong with someone on hard times needing a temporary shot in the arm...

The original poster said- "Until the father lives up to his obligations, what is she to do"? And except for my attempts at changing our paradigm (and you calling me rude)-
the thread seems to be digging into the system and how/why the amt of foodstamps the young mother can get has dropped, what bill was passed, yada yada...

My thought is that the poster and the young mother can spend precious time trying to understand why foodstamp allowance was cut. We could all spin wheels thinking about how to get the deadbeat dad to pay her the $200. Sounds like a lot of heartache to me...

Or we could put our heads together and come up with a real solution...

But before this can happen- (IMHO) there needs to be a fundamental change of hearts and minds...

The original posting read to me like-
"There is nothing we can do until the deadbeat dad steps up and until then we are screwed because of what the state did. How can they do this?"

The poster and the mother can do more for themselves short term, midterm and long term than the dad or the state will ever do. Once they realize this- nothing can stop them...

Are these rude words?

:idontno:

I don't think your post is rude either.

I worked in a section of social services for a while and I'm still wondering what the caseworker has told your daughter about the cut. There may be other programs that can help as well. Young mothers can often go back to school(free) and get free daycare in the process along with other help.

Wow, this thread sure doesn't sound very compassionate. I don't know the circumstances but I do know losing $183 from your grocery budget without warning is quite a hit. I'm sure there are any number of shoulda, coulda, woulda's but those aren't very helpful.

I think SWGB gave the best advice.

I would also look on the Internet for single mom support sites and food budgeting ideas.

The advice that SWGB is definitely helpful advice. But most non-profit agencies & charities are handing out less and less these days. They are unable to keep up with the demand. These places are usually one-shot deals on a good day. They'll help once, take your name and address, and offer to help find additional work.

I don't know the government or the system, but I do see Geowicky's advice as being sound advice. Again, not the magic bullet at the moment but for the future. Something we all should consider before the situation arises.

Now, on to other helpful tips & a temporary solution to help this young women in her current situation.
.

Wow, this thread sure doesn't sound very compassionate. I don't know the circumstances but I do know losing $183 from your grocery budget without warning is quite a hit. I'm sure there are any number of shoulda, coulda, woulda's but those aren't very helpful.

I think SWGB gave the best advice.

I would also look on the Internet for single mom support sites and food budgeting ideas.

I gather this is again directed mainly toward me. I wish I didn't have the character flaw of wanting to be understood but I do...

JAL,
Nothing in my posts on this thread fall into your categories of "shoulda, coulda, woulda". Each of those represents "rear view mirror" thinking. I am not telling them what they should have done to avoid this. I am offering advice on how to get past it. I am sorry you do not recognize this as being helpful...

I really feel for these folks for the situation they are in. But moreso I feel for them if they are unwilling to realize that they can move beyond it without the help of charities or the welfare system...

I will go silent now until/unless the thread takes a turn toward discussion of what this gal can do to help herself. I have lots of ideas and am chopping at the bit to share...

There are people in this world who have the knowledge, skills and experience that if they needed to- they could come up with an extra hundred grand each month.

I am not to that point. But I do have the knowledge, skills and experience to be able to help someone else come up with a few extra hundred bucks a month on their own accord. And I know there are many others on this board who can also help in this way...

"Teach a man to fish"...

G