-
@Arden: thank you for sharing.
-
@MsLipGloss: I know. Sorry
it was more of a general response to the topic.
-
@wonderstruck: And THAT'S it in a nutshell! I am sitting here reading this like, how do they know all these people on assistance? I don't know any, but then, they probably aren't proud and sharing how they "get over". They just want to get a move on and get off of it.
-
@luckypenny: No worries!
-
If you're not employed, don't have a disability and are receiving government aid, I think it makes sense you should be giving back to the community in some way. A few hours of volunteer work a week sounds like a great idea.
-
@Arden: I just want to second @Mrs. Lemon-Lime and say thank you for sharing.
-
@pui: I do know that my partner was recently unemployed and he worked at least 40 hours a week looking for a job. I don't know how he could have done it if he was doing community service. I do know that it would have taken longer... So maybe I can see community service if someone is long term unemployed, but we don't give unemployment benefits to the long term unemployed anyway.
-
@Arden: Thank you for sharing. It's so important that people hear stories like yours so they know that there is so much more beyond the usual generalizations about people who need assistance.
-
@mrbee: Off topic, but Wall Street is back ground checking every single person that comes through the door! I was also subject to drug testing, both as a perm and a contract employee.
eta: I think you hit the nail on the head, @Arden. It's not that people don't want to give back to the community that helps you, but on top of everything else, there are simply not enough hours in the day.
-
@looch: Ah wow! I guess when you're dealing with lots of money, that makes sense!!
-
I know I'm late to the conversation and agree with what Mrs. Jacks (and others) have said.
To the people that are for drug testing and taking away benefits from people that test positive:
What do you think will happen to the the very small minority of people that do receive benefits and are addicted to drugs if their assistance was taken away? Do you think they would quit their addiction and magically become responsible people? Wouldn't it be more likely for them to continue to spend what little money they do have on drugs?
-
I work in low income housing and think money could be spent in more beneficial ways than drug testing and community service requirements. I see abuse and misuse of the system daily. Drug use, selling of food stamps, harboring of ineligible people and under reporting of income are very common place and program administrators have almost no recourse to address these issues.. But, these actions are coming from individuals who have had little to no employment for decades. I work in Nevada. Our transient population is high and often lured to this state by the promise of an easy score. When that fails to pan out, they enter our system. I do not believe this is representative of most benefit recipients across the US.
-
@Arden: Thank you for sharing your story.
@Costello: I don't think that this is the way all benefit recipients across the nation act. I hope I'm not coming across as passing a blanket judgement.
@TemperanceBrennan: You bring up good questions. I don't think they would magically become responsible, but I wonder if knowing that benefits could be taken away because of a positive drug test would maybe inspire someone who is addicted to get help? There are free programs out there to help people with addictions. And in turn, would kicking the addiction be the first step toward getting back on track and out of the system?
-
@Mrs. Jacks: Perhaps then if you can prove you are actually spending that much time commuting and attending interviews and writing cover letters, then you could get less hours of community service or be exempted. I'm sceptical that most people are actually spending that much time looking for a job and if they are they probably are not unemployed that long.
-
@pui: in our state people receiving unemployment must document their efforts to find a new job, or they will lose assistance.
-
@Silva: same in my state.
-
@evansjamie: the problem is, the programs to help people with addiction and dependence issues have lengthy wait lists, are short term, and underfunded. For example, our state used to fund 4 week stays for inpatient treatment. They now only fund 2 weeks. I can tell you, as a substance abuse therapist, this is a joke. The complexities of poverty and addiction will never be solved with a two week inpatient stay.
And, my state is generally regarded as one that invests in treatment. -
I definitely agree that money could be spent in far better ways than drug testing or mandated community services hours. While it would be nice to encourage giving back, how would you separate those who work 40+ hours, and are caring for an infant, with another family with part time jobs, and school aged children? It would be impossible to manage, and quite unfair, to boot.
However, I will say that I wish the SNAP program was more similar to the WIC program. I'm not declaring that those on assistance don't deserve a few quick freezer meals, or an indulgent snack or soda pop, but when I see a cart just full of Cheetos and Fanta, I have to wonder why there isn't more of a focus on nutritious meal planning, and overall health advocacy. If it's truly a lack of knowledge, and not just a matter of convenience, then I feel we are absolutely obligated to prompt and educate.
I admit that I'm proud and comforted that state programs exist in our country for those in need. It is especially imperative to have quality, government health insurance in place, namely for pregnant women, children, and those in ill health.
I do have one problem with public assistance, but it's definitely not one that can be remedied, as it would go against our greater moral compass, and we are not a dystopian society. I feel that there are some individuals on assistance that do not practice safe, responsible family planning, and continue to add numerous children to their home, while qualifying for increased benefits. That can be frustrating. But, as I said, there is absolutely no solution for that, and I definitely don't suggest or support forced family size restriction. I guess I just wish people would be more mindful and focused on getting back on their feet? Maybe.
-
@Silva: I agree. I wish more time and money could be spent helping people in poverty or with substance abuse problems instead of pushing them to the very edge of our collective vision because it's "unsavory."
-
I'm against drug testing for recipients of state assistance for all the reasons people have listed, and because I believe it to be unconstitutional. There is no reason to suspect a person of using drugs simply because they need assistance.
"At their core, all of these proposals exacerbate existing stigmas associated with receiving public assistance, and create unnecessary hurdles for families that are already struggling just to get by."
https://www.aclu.org/blog/criminal-law-reform-racial-justice/drug-testing-dragnet-widens-poor-continue-be-sweptI do not think our assistance programs work well. We need more funding for prevention programs, more funding for treatment programs, and to expand services available. That, and only that, will help address issues of poverty in this country. Drug testing does nothing. It makes people feel better about their own predjudices.
-
@deerylou: there is absolutely a lack of knowledge regarding nutrition. I worked with a woman who believe that bug juice was good for her baby because it said "made from real fruit juice" on the label. She was horrified when I showed her how much sugar was in the juice. Or another client who didn't realize that by drinking 6 20oz colas a day she was surpassing the total amount of calories she should consume.
This is an example of how growing up in poverty impacts each generation.
And I agree it is frustrating when families don't practice responsible family planning. I think this is again, an area where we need more education and support. Many of the women I've workd with had traumatic childhoods, leaving them with deep attachment issues. They are seen as vulnerable by unhealthy men, who take advantage of them. Another example of ways that generational legacies continue to impact a person's ability to be upwardly mobile. -
I for one am glad that taxes I pay go to help others. When we have a larger income, I will be glad to pay more. I believe that we have an obligation to help those around us, and I'd rather drive an old car than see my neighbor go hungry. I should probably move to a more socialist country
this is why I went into social work I guess.
-
I never meant to judge a group by a few individuals. I know there are lots of truly struggling people out there who need assistance. I've seen them. And I'm proud that my tax dollars go towards helping them get back on their feet, because you never know when it may be me that needs help.
BUT as working as a cashier at a grocery store previously and at a facility where a lot of people on assistance come to do their community service hours, I unfortunately mostly just see the negative side...the people taking advantage. Given that people who have jobs, in school, or young children are excluded, the ones that are trying to better themselves probably aren't coming my way. Which is a good thing.
To those left, I think 100 hours a month isn't too much to ask. That still leaves plenty of time to job search and do other things. Drug testing is a whole different story however that I'm not sure I agree with.
Sorry if I offended anybody. I never intended to stereotype all people on assistance. I don't intend to stereotype anyone at all. I'm just going by my personal experience.
-
@deerylou,- It also frustrates me to know that there are people who choose to have more children than they can afford, but know they can rely on government assistance to feed them...especially if those people already have debt. Aside from lack of education, anyways. I'm sure many people just do not know
-
@pui: Mr. Jacks had to prove every week that he had applied to a minimum number of jobs. Even treating the job search as a full time job, he was looking for a full three months. If he had to do community service for even twenty hours a week it likely would have doubled his job search time and his benefits would have run out (at 6 months) prior to finding a job. Is that what we really want for our unemployed?
-
@Danizaur: I think it's totally fair to draw on your own experiences!!
I've heard that police officers often become cynical about people, after dealing with so many suspects and lawbreakers... that always made sense to me. It's hard to have a balanced perspective when you're seeing mostly one side of society!
-
@Mrs. Jacks: navigating those systems is so complicated, too. Our babe was on state health insurance briefly, and the application was really intense. And I have a masters degree! I have seen many clients simply lose benefits because they don't understand forms, have trouble remembering appointments, their cell phone number changes again, etc.
-
I can't imagine someone who is receiving assistance being able to afford child care in order to go work community assistance. It just doesn't seem like it would work financially.
-
@Silva: the structural barriers were immense! Mr. Jacks got called in for an unemployment audit and the amount of paperwork and time it took was astounding!
-
@Mrs. Jacks: As always, you said everything I was thinking.
And call me a radical, but I don't believe just because someone is the working poor (and unable to complete a service requirement) or battling an addiction (and unable to pass a drug test) it qualifies that person to become homeless, live without basic necessities, or starve. I think every person at least has a right to life, regardless of their personal situations, personalities, or challenges.
-
@sunny: Women who have children under the age of 5 (school age) are excluded from doing community service. At least that's what a few of the community service workers have told me.
I'm sure single fathers would be excluded too, but its typically moms.
-
@Honeybee: Definitely agree.
-
@Mrs. Jacks: I was on unemployment for one week when I worked for the paper (due to the forced furloughs that the company implemented) and the amount of time and paperwork for that one week was astronomical!
-
@sunny: Very true! I know childcare cost has played a huge part in us choosing for me to stay home. My best friend is a single parent & while she's been able to get assistance to offset childcare cost she had to work for her job atleast 2 weeks, full time, to get it.... Those 2 weeks of trying to figure out childcare & pay for it while she just started her job, having not gotten a paycheck were incredibly difficult! She had to rely heavily on family & friends, things that some individuals don't have access to.
-
@Danizaur: and to think that even though you are seeing the toughest cases, your organization is still managing to help a few. That must be heartening?
-
@Honeybee: and that's just one of the many reasons I love you!
-
@Evansjamie: Not at all. I think you are expressing yourself very well. :0)
I agree with Mr. Bee. I love people but my job has made me very cynical and wary. I am sure it is why there is such a high burn out rate in the industry.
-
@Mrs. Jacks: Definitely. The two ladies that ended up becoming full time employees with us are two of the hardest workers we have. It was good to see them offered a job and rewarded for their hard work. One of them mentioned they were able to finally get an apartment on their own and move out of her moms house because they now had a steady income.
-
Plus those working with us are mostly doing maintenance work. Using tools, doing plumbing or electrical work and learning skills they can use to get a better job. Some even help us with paper work and office work. It makes me feel good that they aren't just doing some mindless job when they come to us like picking up trash. They do real work and get real experience.
-
@Silva: Like you, if and when I garner a larger income, I would gladly live a relatively humble life to ensure that my fellow neighbors aren't left uninsured, hungry, and without basic necessities.
We need better education; regular, informational workshops and compassionate counseling that focus on proper nutrition, meal planning, budgeting, sexual health, and family planning. Addiction and mental health services need to be readily available and encouraged to all.
@blackbird: Right! We're a middle class family with one child, and we work hard to make ends meet. We will not have another child until one of us has advanced in our careers.
I mean, I would definitely enjoy more vacation time, a bigger wardrobe, and the latest in electronics. But, I feel that nutritious food, quality health insurance, and debt reduction is far more important. It frustrates me when people look a gift horse in the mouth, and don't aim to live frugally, responsibly, and humbly. Don't get me wrong, I know the *majority* of those on assistance are working exceptionally hard, or are simply in need of proper direction and education after a traumatic upbringing. But for those that don't fall under either of these categories, it's definitely a little exasperating.
it was more of a general response to the topic.
this is why I went into social work I guess.
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
127 comments