So I went for a meeting for the welfare to work program...

[Lady Freedom Returns]

Last edited Tue Aug 6, 2013, 11:49 PM - Edit history (1)

What the hay??!?!?!

They told me that I may need to quit the job I just got! It does not fit the criteria for the program.

All the jobs that I was told I can't have are good paying jobs around here. Most of the jobs here are part time and you do end up with needing two. And many factory jobs here are classed as temp with an option to hire. They like to audition you as it were. And that is the best way to get into the factories here.

But you MUST get a 30-40 hour job, just one, no doing two part times. And since the factories hire using the temp with option to hire thing, I can't try for that.

They say that if I do get two part time, I will get kicked out of the program and have my SNAPs cancelled and may have to pay a fine! And if I do take the option to hire jobs that pay very well, They will demand me to pay back 25% of the help they give back!

There is so many pitfall that it is almost like they WANT to keep me down!

I can not, will not, dump this chance! What good is food stamps when you have nothing else!?!?!?!?!

I am thinking of just telling them to keep their "help"!

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. Welfare is not really for the people who need it

It is to supply cheap labor for the companies that hire from the program.
And it pays salaries of the people who run the program.
If it were truly successful, then there would not be any jobs for the paper pushers.

And yeah, I know what I am talking aboujt, have been on both sides of that line.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

2. It just blew my mind!

Last edited Tue Aug 6, 2013, 11:46 PM - Edit history (1)

I see so many good jobs out there right now. But They have told me I can't go for them.

I am single, no kids, just me. I can do two part times easy. I can do the temp jobs and see that it may not work and go to the next way easier than a family person.

All I need is a little help till I have some money under me to get my footing.

But that can't happen any time soon with their guidelines.

And when she said I might/ will have to dump the job I just got so I could get $200 or less in SNAP a month, I thought I would faint! I can get that and a little more every two weeks in cash!

I can't get a drivers permit with Food stamps. I can not get a motorcycle permit with Food Stamps. I can not buy the gas that it will take to teach me to drive so I can get an even better job on Food Stamps. I can not buy the soap to wash myself and my cloths on food stamps. I can not get around town with food stamps.

All I can do is buy food on food stamps.

[Cha]

3. You will sort it out and work out what

it best for you. At least you've got some action goin on!

[Lady Freedom Returns]

4. How true!

But to hear them tell me all that...

WOW! It is like that are inventing a slow boat to nowhere.

But then again I have no kids, just me. I can work for the biggest and quickest buck.

[Locut0s]

5. I don't know much about the welfare system here but that sounds messed up...

I could be wrong and ours may be similar but my feeling is it's not that bad. I'll ask my father he used to be a welfare worker.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

6. I was in a/the program in AZ. And it was nothing like this one.

They knew that one had to get something to get the ball rolling. They rewarded you for getting something and helped you to try and get better.

Here it seems like all or nothing. And they really don't look at the person and their situation. They have one cookie cutter for all!

[ConcernedCanuk]

7. I've been on Ontario's wefare/social assistance program on and off since the 80's

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I cut myself off as soon as I was old enough and raked in my tiny pensions as I was so frustrated and angered with trying to deal with the Workers.

Income dropped from $600/month to $500/month, but I survived.

Not having to deal with them people was worth it.

Was not sure how my life was going to go from there, but an unexpected inheritance recently allowed me to buy my own home outright, and put enough money in trust to guarantee me $1500/month for life.

I owe nothing, no credit cards or car payments, so $1500+ per month will let me live comfortably -

no plans or desire to travel, other than local camping/fishing trips.

My "ship came in" just in time, I was pretty depressed for years.

Now, I'm having a life!



CC

[Locut0s]

8. You might have liked my father actually...

It's been over 20 years since he worked as a welfare worker but when he did he wasn't your typical type of guy there. Not the type you and many others tried to avoid. He rarely turned people down and one of the main reasons he liked the job is that, at that time, they were really lax about keeping tabs on him so he was able to spend quite a lot of his spare time studying Chinese and literature in cafes. He even helped out some of the people on his rounds out of his own pocket. Later he went on to teach Chinese at a local college. He's been retired for the last year or so.

[ConcernedCanuk]

9. I remember one Worker I had fondly.

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She was an exception, treated me like a human.

She helped me very much, was polite and empathetic to the max.

Most were rude and condescending.

She even gave me extra benefits that were allowed, but none of the other workers made me aware of them.

Yes, there are some good workers in the program, but in Ontario - they are rare.

I will forever remember her with good thoughts.

Thanks go to Aimie.

CC

[In_The_Wind]

10. You're doing okay without help from welfare.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

12. Yes,b but to use the job serch place to print reumes, you have to do their program.

And their program wants me to dump a job because it is not what they say is a real job.

My thing is how many people are just needing a helping hand are having to go deeper in trouble for help?

I have something now, but they want me to dump it. What on earth? I can make twice as much working a part time job than what help they offer! SO why try and make me quit that? How many have they done that with, people that have listened to them saying they are better off doing it that way (like they tried to push on me) and now in a bigger mess?

And who the heck came up with the idea that it is good to make people quit any paying job for $200 or less in food stamps??

[magical thyme]

16. you can print resumes at the library...

Any time I need to print something out in higher quality than my very cheap little printer at home (actually, free since the person getting rid of it decided to give it to me!) I just print it at the library.

You can create a document at the library and attach it to an email and send it to yourself, so you'll have it available when you go to the library.

It sounds like it's time for you to find a second part-time job pronto and leave the program on our own, asap.

[ancianita]

11. Are you saying that you want to advance in life by earning a living wage and collecting welfare?

When you're at the point where their help is no help, you're ready to move on to independence, and that's as it should be. Leave the welfare to work program and get on with living within your means.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

13. I singed up before I got the job.

But now I either have to follow through or pay a fine for keeping my job.

That is what I am really upset about. How can anyone get ahead if a program to help tells you to quit your job? Be it a part time, but still to quit any job outright due to them saying you have to is mind-blowing! How would such a thing look to future employers?

[ConcernedCanuk]

14. I do not know how the Welfare system works in the US

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And I figure it is different state by state, maybe not though, I don't know.

Unfortunately - I know quite a bit about our Welfare/Social Assistance plan in Ontario.

fought with them on and off for over 30 years.

Welfare/social assistance programs are run by the provinces,

not the federal government, so benefits vary from Province to Province.

In Ontario, maximum benefit for a single person is around $600/ month, depending on how much rent they pay, maximum for rent is around $350/month.

If your rent/rooming costs are only 200/month, then your allowance is reduced by $150/ month - leaving you an income of $450/month.

Receipts must be provided monthly for your rooming/rental costs.

Our Healthcare system is great, but our welfare system sucks.

When you work on Welfare, Welfare reduces your benefit by 50% of what you earn.

So, if you manage to make $500 in a month, then your allowance is reduced by $250.00

Not much of an incentive to claim your income - working for 10 bucks an hour and only coming home with 5.

Their stupid system has not only discouraged people willing to work,

it's encouraged an underground economy that can't be taxed.

People will do whatever necessary to survive.

If the people get fucked by the government,

they will screw them back;

In spades.

CC

[Lady Freedom Returns]

15. That is wierd part of this.

Arizona did not block employment, they let you get something and then work with you to get better. Missouri tell you what you can or can not have. In doing so they are blocking people chances at good jobs.

Many factory jobs that pay better than minimum wage stat you as a temp, then after some time at see if you work they hire you. But that is not allowed in MO. you are not allowed to get two part time jobs either from what the told me at the meeting. I am not to get holiday work either.