To claim or not?

2.5 months ago, I started the UI benefits train (Unemployment) I also thought (Just for the heck of it) to see what maybe "Food Stamps" might offer, though hesitant to ask..

Well, the guy at the office said I qualified for $16 worth. But today (2 months later) I get a letter saying "Oh, you get $144" (nothing more afterward though) and I'm wondering...

Claim it or not? Take me a week to get the card, yes it would help on food, not that I need it though.

Hmmm..Could buy lots of steaks..If we all were close have a nice cookout!

Well - ask yourself "am I entitled to it" and if the answer is yes - then go for it.  You should always claim what you are entitled to. 

blue

Thats like a free chip.. for $144.. redeem it!

But yes if you are entitled, and hard times are hitting
Claim it.. we all have our rough times in life, but remember to give back
what was so blessed your way

genenco: You are entitled to it, and you should take it.
We all pay into these systems by going to work each day so they are there for us when we need it.
      If your situation has changed for the better and you no longer need the food perhaps you could donate it to a family in need that can really use it. Times are so hard right now for so many. 
        Regardless of what you do with it, it is rightfully yours, and you should take what is given you. 

If you can use it..definately take it, if you can get by without it, leave it for someone that needs it more than you.

My feeling is this..but this is only the way I am to myself...everyone is different, and everyone has different reasons for what they do...

I am on unemployment..I actually only have 6 weeks left to collect myself.  I also have had the "entitlement" to collect food stamps.  I also know there are people a lot worse off than myself that need them.  I also think that as long as I can keep wasting money on gambling, than I do not have a greater need than people who are scraping for something to eat.  So as long as possibly I can do without it, I will find sufficient the money unemployment gives me, and eat off of that.  Or gamble less, etc.

Here is a true story that reinforces my feelings.  Right now, it is getting to be crunch time for me with my unemployment running out...but my brother is having a real rough time, worse than me.  He had no place to go this week,  I had to set him and his girlfriend up and send them off with the rest of my food and money, which wasn't much.  The same night he left me, he said this poor guy was outside in the park eating out of the garbage cans...and he gives him some of the food I gave him.
So you see..there is always someone worse off than you.

I was sometimes feeling bad for myself till my brother came around..then when he tells me that, I was like, damn..

There are just too many people that need things more than I do. 

When you start treating foodstamps with a freechip mentality, your asking for trouble.
But if it is truly needed, than it should be used, everyone has rough times in their life.
And like imagination says..."give back what was so blessed your way"

Because what comes around goes around.

Nal,

That was a wonderful post....and there are so many people in this world who just don't really care. It's tough to see people suffer. I know for myself i tend to carry the suffering right with them.....to a fault.

You have a big heart Nal.....and yes what goes around comes around...and i know you will flourish!

Lips

I'm not worried about me Lips...

When I say what comes around goes around, I truly believe it in every bone in my body.  Karma has always been a scary thing to me.  I don't mess with it.  Any rotten thing I have ever done has always come back and bit me in the butt.  Same goes for the good that you do.

I try to stay balanced when I can, and I would help anyone out that needs it if I could.  I just don't believe in abusing the system that is there for people who really need it.

And Geneco..I am definately not saying that you don't...only you know what your circumstances are.  If you feel like you are in need, then you should take it, otherwise leave it for someone who really does.  Your free steak cookout may be some familys hamburger helper for the month.

Hey girl, 

You know I believe in KARMA too!!  I have been so stressed out since my FATHER laid me off, my unemployment benefits weren't going to be much since working for my dad came with a lot of benefits that didn't show up on payroll. (Smokes, breakfast, lunch, etc... lol)  Most of you know I have 2 sons that have a dead beat dad, one of which is starting Jr College.  I had no clue what I was going to do except pray!

What a surprise when I FINALLY got thru to the unemployment office this AM (after 50 calls) and they informed me my weekly benefit amount was $145 more than I thought it was going to be!!! 

Since I opened a claim a little less than a year ago, but never received any benefits, that claim is just continued!!!  Wooooo hooooo!!!

Shelli

P.S. Genenco I am not sure how many people are in your family, hopefully $144 would feed you guys.  I know it sure couldn't feed my sons.  Good luck hun with everything!

It's definately not easy times..unemployment rates are up to 10%.

I never thought I would be out of work..never have been for more than 3 weeks at a time.  It hasn't been easy for me either.  I am starting to stress.  I am at the end of my extension, with nothing in site.  My people that usually find work for me, are CALLING me to see if I have any leads for THEM...it is so bad, they have NOTHING.
It's scary. Just do what you can.  I know in my case I have been getting more conservative in my gambling, but this actually screws my up.  I win more with a larger bankroll.  I should have just learned how to SAVE.  Money always burned a hole in my pocket, as my mom always said.  Now I pay.

Shelli..I never said for anyone not to use anything.  I am just trying to say,
there is a big difference between use and abuse.

People should know in their own heart where they are.  If someone needs something, it is there, take advantage of it, and get back on your feet..God be with you.

I just don't like people who have nothing wrong with them, and can work, and take advantage of the system.
I lived with my mother in law in a veterans project for almost a year, to help her before she died.  It sickened me to see a park of full of healthy welfare rats, hanging out all day, partying, doing drugs, collecting there checks..working the system.

There is a big difference if you are truly hurting, and need a hand.  I would help any of you.

Awww, my comment i didn't mean to use it as
a free chip mentality, i take that back.. because i do beleive
in blessings in times of need, and it truely is a blessing that we even have
this help when needed.

Pride in some keeps alot from going out there to get the help that is offered
and i was just trying to cheer him up from something that can really
hurt a mans pride, and say its okay. Life gets really rough

And yes, if it is not needed, then leave it for others who really do, i sincerely beleive that it should not be abused..

Please forgive my comment  :'(

It was a good post imagination..I also quoted your remember to give back what was so blessed your way...

I just see everything from both sides...nothing bad on you.  Its just a topic I feel very strongly about.  Nothing personal.

You are a very kind person, worrying about the guys pride..
Maybe I am too much of a hard ass..maybe I have just seen too much in my life.

NAL, U ARE NOT A HARD ASS HUN!!! U ARE JUST REAL!!!! THATS WHY I LOVE YA!!! 

Well, I am glad I posted this question.

Nal, I am on month 3 of UI and so I understand how it is. I've applied for several jobs from $9 up to $13 (I work down in the trenches, but once was a "Higher Up") and the problem is, I'm 49 and I'm fighting for work along with 500 others ranging from 22-55 years of age.

I've even had a few places I called YELL at me as they probably were so inundated with applications and calls.

No, I am not in dire need of this. Funny thing was they had told me I was qualified for $16 then this mail says different. I think the person doing the calculations was new and didn't understand.

I also believe in Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit and while it may be true about "Karma" if it's right, you'll know it. If not, that goes same..Or double!!

Of course my refusal could be from the fact I am not hurting. Heck,  I just hit the store today for $14 bucks worth of food to fully finish my supply (I shop 1 time every 2 weeks) so I am set.

Of course it could be also the fact I'd have to get my landlords signature on the paperwork, provide 3 months of check/Unemployment stubs, copies of elec.gas/water bank statements, birth certificate, statement of honesty, blood sample..on and on...

(Just kidding after bank statements)

So, I'm glad I asked..Let it go to others who ARE in worse shape.

Thanks guys, I knew I'd get a good group opinion...

Oh, if it DOES get bad, I still have 300 days to claim (Or the end of the year, not sure exactly) so if it gets bad, fine. But for now, no.

Shelli? $144..I can eat so slim that that would last me about 3 weeks or possibly a month...

Imagi.nation? No hard feelings...I know if the "Hard Times" were hitting, I'd grab away..But all of you are right. "Let those in need, take indeed" and of course "Let those who have spare, reach out to share"

I like that.