By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
thranx on 11 October 2015
Edit Thread
Conina said:
sc94597 said:

If you make less than $1,500/month you get food stamps, more if you have children. 

This is one of the problems. In most other first world countries you don't get food stamps, you get your money transfered to your account.

So if you go shopping, you pay with money or your normal bank card. Not every clerk in your town (or people standing behind you in line at the cash register) need to know that you are poor and are getting welfare support... it's not their business. Of course your bank teller will probably know it, but the less people who know it, the better. Even if some poor people don't care about that, many would prefer to keep the support a secret and it helps them to keep their dignity.

The same goes for medical treatment. Most people in other first world countries have their health insurance cards, the government pays the insurance fees.  The doctor or hospital don't know if the patient pays the insurance fees himself or if the state pays it... it's not their business. Only the government and the health insurance company know it.


EBT is now what food stamps have become. its a debit card that is only used to by food and the money is put on there by the government. It has led to much more abuse of the system though. When I was poor we had to use food stamps. it motivatived my mom to work even harder because who wants to be seen like that. I grew up in a similar situation as the op. Single mom, immigrant with no high school education or equivelant, 4 kids, absentee dad(which is the real problem in america, single parents). When we needed help it was always there either from the government, the church, or our community, we were always able to go to the doctor, dentist, had toys and electronics. My mom didn't drink or smoke or do drugs, but she had horrible spending habits. She still does. But she raised three boys and girl all who are succeful on their own now. We lived in southern ca, probably very different from peensylvania. Inner city poor have it different, but that  is more a cultuarl thing of expecting the government to solve all their problems as they have been told all their lives that their problems aren't their fault and the governmetn will fix them.