ARay11
07-20-2012, 11:49 AM
Over the last couple of days, a question continues to nag at me. For those who are currently on the welfare system, what would it take to get off it?
(** denotes "value" of the service based on my own personal expenses)
In the State of Illinois:
An average family of 4 can earn up to $2442/mo gross income derived from either SSI, Unemployment, Child Support, or actual wages.
For my example, I will use a family of 4 earning $1200/mo via SSI (half the allowable to qualify for services) ($14400)
SNAP (food stamps) allowance for this family is $668/mo ($8016/year)
WIC program: approx $200/mo ($2400/year)
Housing allowance: up to $885/mo. ($10620/year)
ALLKids and MAP are paid (medical assistance/health insurance including prenatal and well child/preventive care) are paid for.
(my current family of 4 insurance premium is about $500/mo, ($6000 annually) **
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assist Prog. pays utilities incl elec/gas/water) ($6000 annually) **
I have not added in the child care assistance because I could not find an actual dollar amount, percentage paid, or calculator to determine a dollar value. The state does pay for daycare for kids who qualify, but I could not find a way to add a correct amount. Also left off the free cell phone program LOL.
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Total VALUE of all income: $47436.00 (NET)
IF this family used the available resources to educate and/or training to obtain employment, they would need to get jobs and earn in excess of $60,000/year to maintain their CURRENT situation.
How is this help? What can be done differently? This shows me that there is ZERO incentive to achieve. Generation after generation will simply require more and more assistance.
We cannot abandon the poor or refuse to help. That's not right and I do not advocate leaving anyone out in the cold
(** denotes "value" of the service based on my own personal expenses)
In the State of Illinois:
An average family of 4 can earn up to $2442/mo gross income derived from either SSI, Unemployment, Child Support, or actual wages.
For my example, I will use a family of 4 earning $1200/mo via SSI (half the allowable to qualify for services) ($14400)
SNAP (food stamps) allowance for this family is $668/mo ($8016/year)
WIC program: approx $200/mo ($2400/year)
Housing allowance: up to $885/mo. ($10620/year)
ALLKids and MAP are paid (medical assistance/health insurance including prenatal and well child/preventive care) are paid for.
(my current family of 4 insurance premium is about $500/mo, ($6000 annually) **
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assist Prog. pays utilities incl elec/gas/water) ($6000 annually) **
I have not added in the child care assistance because I could not find an actual dollar amount, percentage paid, or calculator to determine a dollar value. The state does pay for daycare for kids who qualify, but I could not find a way to add a correct amount. Also left off the free cell phone program LOL.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total VALUE of all income: $47436.00 (NET)
IF this family used the available resources to educate and/or training to obtain employment, they would need to get jobs and earn in excess of $60,000/year to maintain their CURRENT situation.
How is this help? What can be done differently? This shows me that there is ZERO incentive to achieve. Generation after generation will simply require more and more assistance.
We cannot abandon the poor or refuse to help. That's not right and I do not advocate leaving anyone out in the cold