I am a 21 year old single mom of an 18 month old. It was an unexpected pregnancy. Up until this month, I was a full time college student, but I had to stop going due to money being an issue and the constant court fees with my ex (my daughter's father). I work part time, and have been with the same company for almost four years. I live at home with my mom and two sisters, but I would like to get out on my own.

What would I be qualified to receive?

Reading through all these comments, people do need to think things through before talking. Yes, teens need to be more careful when it comes to sex and getting pregnant, and most aren't near ready for it. I went to school with a girl who unexpectedly got pregnant in 10th grade. She and her boyfriend both graduated in the top 10 percent of the class while working and raising their son.

With support of friends and family, it's not impossible to make it being a teen parent. People with nothing to say but downgrading them just makes it harder for them. Not everyone who goes on welfare stays on welfare, most just need it temporarily until they can get back on their feet.

I'm not looking for free handouts so I can sit at home playing games all day, I'm looking into this so I can try to better my life and my daughter's life and get out on my own and not live under my mom's roof anymore.

"If you're in college and not working, not fine. School is important, but if you can't afford to go, don't go." It is because of you close mind thinking that America is losing its status around the world. Do you really think using most of our budget in defense is going to keep our status in the world? Come on!

Think and stop listening to ignorant propaganda that is spread on talk radio. Education is not only important, education is fundamental. If we waste potential professionals our whole society loses. What happens when all those college drop-outs can't find more blue collar jobs? Aren't you seeing how the economy is changing? We are all in the same boat buddy whether you like it or not, we need to prevail as a nation.

Negativity and selfishness has rotted several societies in history but I won't let it destroy America. If there is something I am determined about in life is to fight against ignorance and selfishness and I will use all my intellectual potential in doing so.

Have fun having a miserable life blaming welfare and the government for all your problems. Meantime I will enjoy paying every penny of my taxes knowing that it's helping children get an extra meal and a decent education.

My brother and his wife are on kid number three. They both have an education and refuse to work. However, they are more than willing to take money from anyone.

She keeps having kids because others care for the first two. They watch TV and play video games. They are making no attempt to get full time jobs.

She just quit her part time job because she is pregnant again. Three kids my parents are paying and caring for.

Should they care for these children? She can continually have kids because she isn't doing anything for her current ones. So no, it isn't the kid's fault, but then again, if she doesn't have to take care of them or pay for child care, then what motive is there for her to stop?

They are the type of people who will not do anything for themselves as long as people are helping.

I think welfare should be for families that really need it, and I think that the welfare office should be checking to make sure the money is going to the family and kids.

I don't live in the greatest neighborhood and I see people selling their food stamp cards for half price so they can go get drugs with their kids' food money.

I'm only 19 and in college and I'm working at a minimum wage job. If I can do it, these people getting free money should be able to do something with their lives. They need to stop having kids if they can't take care of them. I'm tired of my tax money going to drugs.

For those looking for welfare, your best bet is to visit a local welfare office and ask your questions. Keep a tough shell. As you can see in the many comments on this thread, you will get a lot of criticism. But do what you must do.

Keep your children's faces before you. Keep your goals before you. There's no reason why anyone should go hungry in this wealthiest of nations. Be strong in your assertion of your basic needs - food, shelter, clothing. Don't let anyone else belittle your self worth because you've exhausted every other effort on getting what you (or your family) need.

Life isn't predictable. Tragedy happens all the time. It's not always something one can blame. They will say what they will.

As such I am not wasting my time coming back to this post, and neither should you. Be happy.

To those who are talking about people shouldn't have to depend on the government and your kids are your responsibility and no one else's! That's right, your kids are your responsibility but you shouldn't be ignorant to say public assistance should not be used. You don't know my situation or anyone else's. So stop and think. Some people really are in great need of this assistance! ughh people piss me off!

I think if I couldn't pay my bills or feed my kids I would cut out the internet and sell my computer.

Let me say, I am married with three children. We had trouble paying bills, so I went out and got a second job. it paid minimum wage, but it was better than nothing.

Now I work on average, 100 hours a week. She doesn't work by my choice, but now we pay all bills on time and have money left over.

In fact we took two vacations last year. We don't drink, do any type of drugs, or waste money on pepsi, chips and eating out.

It's a term called budgeting. There is no $20.00 an hour job going to knock at your door. Sometimes it takes working several minimum wage jobs, but I made decisions so I will manage them. I have never asked for help in my life nor will I.

It's not anyone's responsibility to raise my kids but mine.

How about personal responsibility? There is absolutely no need for government assistance if people learned the virtue of personal responsibility.

If you can't afford kids, don't have them. If I spank my kids, it's called child abuse, but if you can't afford to provide your kid food, shelter, and clothing, that's not abuse?

I know it's radical, but we should really place a limit on how many kids people can have. Something like, you can have two kids. Any more after that, you have to show financial proof you can afford them. I really don't see what's wrong with that. I'd rather a financial limitation on kids than someone have five kids they can't afford and the children suffer and go hungry.

I have to be drug tested at my job once a month. Taxes from my paycheck go towards welfare. Do people on welfare have to be drug tested? No. How is this remotely right? Welfare recipients need to be drug tested.

I sound selfish, but I don't want to take care of you if I know you are *not* working and aren't trying to.

If you hit a rough spot, that's fine. If you are *trying* to get a job, that's fine. If you're in college and not working, not fine. School is important, but if you can't afford to go, don't go.

I was lucky, and I am very privileged, but I also worked very hard for what I have today. I'd rather the state government be in charge of it. No offense, but those of you outside my state, get your help from someone else.

First of all let me start off by saying some seem to be very uneducated. Not all, but most.

I think it is safe to say, if you are going to share your negative opinions, you should at least be knowledgeable in that subject area.

I have been in college for a few years, not that that makes me better than anyone else, but I recently had to do a community project. That project consisted of learning about the welfare system and working with individuals on the program.

For those saying that welfare is using too much money, Only 1-2 percent of the federal budget goes toward welfare programs!

For those who think that population is mostly teenage mothers, Teenage mothers make up only 7.6 percent of the mothers on welfare!

Not everyone in this scenario made a mistake that got them here. Some did, but many people make mistakes. You have too.

Example: One mother I worked with has children, was married, and in the army. She was doing very well but then her husband died. She couldn't help that happened, and now she is left to take care of her kids on her own.

Please do your research before posting.

i am a 15 year-old girl. i am very saddened by what a lot of people seem to be saying. it made cry a little.

my mom and step-dad get up in the morning around 4 a.m. every day, and they go to work as a cook and a cleaning lady just to make minimum wage, and they don't get home until about 6 p.m. we got evicted from a few houses because they were laying people off from her job.

she got a new job, but they began making budget cuts. my mom simply didn't have enough money to pay for my two other sisters and i to live with her. my oldest sister had to go live with her boyfriend and hold off on college for another year.

my sister and i were sent to live with my real dad and brother. eventually my dad kicked us out and we were sent to live with our mother again. after months and months of waiting, we finally got accepted to receive health care insurance and food stamps. my mom got remarried. she and my step dad work very hard. there was a time in our lives when everything was great, but life happens.

my sister is bipolar, and i have a few issues myself. we really need all of the help that the government provides for us. my mom breaks her back and so does my dad. they are not slackers. my real dad provides $100 for my sister and i each week for child support. at least he is supposed to, but he doesn't. this goes toward the rent, which just increased by $300/month.

life is very tough and my oldest sister is now in a very prestigious college and in debt. my other sister is a 16 year old senior in high school having a hard time finding a job to save up for a car and college.

i feel bad for all the single mothers that are young and having a hard time. i think that a lot of people abuse this system, but i also feel like a lot of people really need it. i am sorry for the hard time that others give them, but life is tough.

get over what others say, and if you really care, do all that you can to get on your feet. i think mistakes happen, but deal with them in the best way possible for you. i know that one day my family will be able to stand strong on our own again, but that day is not today. My parents pay taxes as well. some of these taxes just come back to us because we are receiving help from the government. they feel bad about taking others' hard earned money, but we would not survive without it, so thank you very much. (:

to the 27-year-old with two boys: that is so nice you are able to work for now, but I suspect the time will come where you will hit a hard spot, especially as a single mother.

Most of the women on welfare are not just young mothers (they make up 11 percent) Almost 85 percent are fleeing domestic violence. They once worked hard, had husbands, church, community, jobs, but something interfered, so therefore, because America values its citizens, we need to help them get up and be productive again.

We need to work together as a community to stop the "reasons" why people need the system. In fact, that is what the system does. It helps these individuals move on to more productive lifestyles.

If you even knew how much these people received and how hard it is for them to survive you might be very ashamed.

The comments about people sitting on welfare and doing nothing are very ignorant. The welfare system does not allow you to sit and collect unless you have very serious disabilities verified by a doctor. Then welfare is a gateway to SSI. These people simply cannot return to work the same way they did.

Welfare is just a tool meant to propel you back into school or work. The amount given to you is so little you are left homeless. It is just enough to pay for bus fare, electricity maybe and partial rent maybe, and they are so strict that there is no way you are just sitting. That is just a myth from people who do not know the system.

I believe that everyone has their own mistakes that they have done in life. Sometimes you hit a bump on the road and may need this assistance. I got married very young had my planned baby, but because of circumstances of life i am going through a divorce at the moment.

i have a full time job and many bills to pay, let alone all the baby expenses. I'm making it ok so far, but as a usc i have the right to ask for help since it's being deducted from my paycheck every week.

So all these people saying that they hate the system and the way the government works need to get a life and leave all these people alone. If you are in a good economic state, good for you. not everyone has the same luck. remember live and let live.

i am currently doing an argument essay on why there should be limitations on these dumb government programs. I am 20 years old, i go to college, i work full time and i also just had a baby daughter yesterday morning.

I am not going to sign up for any of these programs because i know there is a way to make everything work. I hate seeing people sit around all day living off of other people. Like this guy that wrote on 102 comment. come on man if you weren't so busy writing in and complaining about not being able to get help, you could have been out finding a job.

How can you get the internet anyway if you're so broke? I understand people with disabilities. My neighbor has it, but when you're too lazy to live on your own, you should have never gotten off your mom's nipple.

I don't understand why you must have a child to receive any help from welfare.

I am a single person living on my own with no children, and I can't afford it. I need help just as much as those dumb girls who laid on there backs and got knocked up.

The only difference is I am smart enough to know that I cannot afford to have a child, therefore I don't have one. I have been out of work for over four months and I have looked continuously! There is nothing even relating to a job in this area, or any area at that.

I don't know what else to do. There are days I go hungry, and I have even taken myself down to the soup kitchen to eat, even though that is very embarrassing. I have to do what I have to do to survive. Now I am completely out of money for food, gas to look for a job, clothes and everything and I can't receive any help from anyone! Thanks to this wonderful USA.

For all these rude people on here talking about us young mothers on welfare that is so wrong!

I'm a full-time student and a mother of 1. I live with my mother and everything is gravy. How dare you make it seem like all of us just sit around on our butts, taking in the easy way out!

Everyone isn't able all the time. You make it seem as though you've never done something wrong or needed help. It's just ridiculous because as long as you're sitting around writing crap you couldn't live a day in half of our shoes.

I worked from the age of 14-18. Now I'm turning 19 and my son was just born. So all that crap about people trying to get out the easy way, think twice next time and realize what you're saying because you'll be the next one looking around for help. It's given for a reason!

18- Tampa, FL

Welfare's got to go. If it's gone, and people are suddenly all, "what? Where's the free money?" then it can maybe be recreated for the people who actually need it, and who will also be kicked off it the month they are in better financial standing.

O.K.people who don't need welfare shouldn't be on it. My parents are but that's because they are both disabled from a car accident and i have two brothers and one sister, i have a part time job and i only get about $65 every 2 weeks. and that doesn't help. we need it. if you screwed up, got knocked up, that is your own fault -- fix it yourself. don't use everyone else's money who needs it.

For the love of god, minimum wage is different for everyone. I have a $400 paycheck (and that's full time). I live on minimum wage.

I have a car payment, insurance, cell phone, rent, bills. What's left of my $400 paycheck is called gas money.

Is it possible to live on minimum wage? Yes. Is it difficult? Of course. This is minimum wage for me. I don't even have money left over for food. But I manage with what little I have.

Do I mind that my paycheck is being deducted due to taxes so I don't see all my hard earned money? Yes, but at least I know there's a program there for me if I hit an intense rough spot.

Question is, when are they going to adjust the program so those abusing it will get caught?

I don't buy into this "use a condom!" deal and this whole people on welfare are dead beats. I'm 24, have a planned baby coming and just recently lost my job due to unfortunate circumstances. I didn't qualify for food stamps or cash aid, although I am on medical since I have no health insurance. Not everyone is eligible.

This system is meant to help people get back on their feet, then get out of the system, not to stay on it. Unfortunately there are too many people abusing the system.

Not many people would dislike this program if they did what they actually had to do and busted the ones abusing the system, because yes, it ticks me off that someone with five kids and never worked a day in their life can get more than me on a working salary, and can get the help that I need.

I have two jobs, go to school full time, pay for a car, and other bills that i have. sure i'm a middle class citizen but does that mean i should be a statistic for america?

for the person who said you can't live off minimum wage -- yes you can. you have to budget yourself. you need to go without tv, drugs, alcohol, all that stuff.

also for those of you who have been kicked out of your house or have a kid and want help. let me give you advice: get a job and get someone who can actually take care of you. also if you get kicked out that's your own fault, don't do stupid stuff.

i don't care if you can't get along with your parents. they love you because you're their child, you don't have to be home all the time. it's a free place to stay. get a job.

I think welfare is so wrong because i am not going to pay for lazy people who, instead of doing all that they can to look for a better job, sit on their butts. Also i have seen too many people cheat the system. All these people need to think of the people who are paying for their lazy butts.

Welfare is a tricky thing. Lots of people get on it who should not be on it at all. Those who make enough but cannot make ends meet need to re-evaluate their lives and create a better budget.

I grew up with two teachers for parents. Teachers do not make a lot of money. My mother stayed home with us. I am the oldest of five children, and she stayed home with all five of us. My father was the only one working. He made it.

We did not have extra money to spend at all, but we were able to survive. If he can do it, you guys can do it. Work hard and you will prevail. If something in your life isn't working, correct it. If you can't afford the mortgage payment or the house payment or rent, change where you live. Sell your car and get a cheaper one, save your money as best you can. Shop at discount stores. Do not buy the ipod you want when you want it. Save up your money instead.

The world is not impossible to live in. Stop looking for quick fixes.

Try to live on minimum wage. It is impossible. Nowadays people need welfare. If it's there for for the taking, go for it. It's not that people are lazy, it's just free money, but no matter what race, amount or kids, it makes us as a country stronger.

One day your kids, or their kids, or their kids' kids, or a family members,or a friend's kids' kids might need some help. This country will always be growing. I say the more the better. God bless America.

i'm 24 and work 50 hours a week. I hate my job and want to go back to school to be a nurse but the school won't give me any aid because i make "too much" ($26,000/year). All you on welfare can kiss my butt.

I work hard and still get screwed. Put in some hard work and stop stealing my hard earned money! I really despise you. Why do you expect me to work hard and then hand over my money to YOU, who are too lazy to work or have made stupid life decisions so now they can't afford their lives?

And guess what -- I'd like to have a kid but can't afford it so I don't!

First off i want to address an issue with everyone. a lot of people go through a lot of things so maybe it's not necessarily that they're not trying, but one time in your life you're going to need help. i have two jobs and i'm 17 with a baby on the way and i still would like to have help from welfare to help me get on my feet because my mom is not there.

so all you budget high class females and males who think they can do it own their own, guess again, unless you're getting major money coming in. I'm going to live my life to the fullest. for all of you who have a problem with welfare, you need to get off of this page.

Yours truly-- Trina

18 years old, kicked out of my parents house, no job, attending collage, live in california, no criminal record. Eligible?

Didn't you kids have sex ed in school? You learned about birth control pills and condoms! Even if you skipped this class -- use common sense! Quit having sex and kids if you can't take care of them financially. Welfare is not taking care of them, that's your idea of trying to, because you're still kids. Stop having babies!

Sadly, most of these comments are from underaged mothers who are asking for welfare. I will not judge but i must say that this "welfare" way of thinking has gone too far. It is not the government's responsibility to take care of you because it is not their money to spend. If you can't afford to have a child then use condoms! I am 18 years old and have been working since i was 16. I'm currently a full time student at a prestigious school in Texas and pay for my own tuition but not because my parents can't help me but because I want to do this for myself. Make wiser decisions and maybe just maybe life gets easier for you. In the meantime, look for a decent job and stop taking the easy way out with welfare.

we all need a better form of welfare. Really, any program in which the government provides money or services to citizens who are in need is a welfare program. Those who don't have a job need to either move or search harder. I know that isn't easy but if you just put your mind to it then it will happen!

Stop bouncing from house to house! Get a job. Welfare won't support you forever. if we get a president who says no to welfare, what will you do? Go live with your mom?

Do you really think she wants to have to shelter you and your family? Do you really like walking around saying when some one asks you, so what do you do for a living? oh I'm a welfare junkie! It's not right to take other people's money! It's just like stealing!

I'm not accusing you but welfare needs a different foundation in a new direction!

i'm 17, and will be 18 in December. Can i receive welfare so i can get a car, so i can get a job and start my life. my mom can't help me at all.

i have one comment: stay in Mexico!

get a job, stay in the country where you belong, and don't screw stuff up in our country. why should our taxes pay for you people because you have kids you can't afford?

i'm a 19 year old college student. me and my boyfriend are looking to find help in paying for school and our place and car. we need help. the money he gets every other week isn't cutting it. we have no children. is there any way we could get on welfare for the time we have left in college? need help.

I am 28 years old, living at home with my dad. He's 65 with liver disease and i take care of him, and have no income. do i qualify?

i am a 24 year old iraq war veteran. when i came home my wife filed for divorce and took me to court for child support. i pay 260.00 a week for 1 child and bcd, no maintenance or alimony. after paying that i am left with around $100 a week to live off from. and i work a 40 hour week as an electrician. does this qualify me for public assistance, being my gross income is still above the requirement?

I'm 18 with a six-week-old son. I'm not working because I'm trying to finish school. Well my boyfriend and his family are illegal and I live with them. Can I get on welfare?

Get a job and wear a condom. If you're 16 years old and have kids, as well as looking for a welfare check. I can already see that you are the type of person that is going to live off government checks for the rest of your lives. If you are able to work, then find a job. And stop having kids if you can't afford them.

Hello, Can you get welfare if you're a 17 year old mother? I have a son who is almost 1 years old. Me and his father are still together. We're living with just his mom at the momment.

I'm 21 years old, I go to college and am currently married. My husband can't find a job and his unemployment is too high for us to receive any sort of help. I work a part-time job at minimum wage and we're just squeaking by with what we have. How can I qualify?

i'm 19, and my parents are leaving to go to mexico and they don't know when they are going to come back. i'm going to college. i do have a job but i don't work every day -- i just work like one time each two weeks. i don't have anywhere to stay and i don't get paid that much money to afford a place so i am trying to find a friend whom i can stay with but it doesn't seem to be working because nobody will let me stay with them so i am asking the state for help.

Most of these stories are well I have a kid or i got kicked out. Quit screwing around and you won't have to worry about it!

I'm 20 years old, living in Texas, and currently married. Both my wife and I are citizens of the United States, and we've just moved into an apartment together this past June. Unfortunately, my wife hasn't been able to find a job yet, and I'm working with minimum wage ($7.50 per hour in Texas). It's nowhere near enough to cover all of our expenses (I get around $950 per month, but expenses are over $1000). Am I eligible for welfare? And if so, how can I apply for it?

I am a 16 years old with a 1 year old son. can I be on welfare?

Anon48367: If you have a job, it would be very considerate of you to help your son's grandmother with the house expenses. Food stamps are not enough. Many parents charge their adult children rent, and if you are enough of an adult to take on the responsibility of a child, then you should be enough of an adult to help pay the expenses you and your child are incurring in that home.

I am 16 and will be 17 in December.I have an 11 month old old son and I live with his father, aunt, mother, great-grandmother and cousin. His mother recieves food stamps for me and my son as well as her son. Should I have to pay rent even though she receives foodstamps for me?

i'm 20 years old and i'm six weeks pregnant. i live at home with an alcoholic mother, i have no job and i don't go to school. my boyfriend lives with my mom and i and he has a full time job but doesn't make enough money. i have already had a miscarriage and i do not want to go through what i went through last time. i need help asap my living situation is not good at all. please help.

I am 18 years old. At 17 i was kicked out of my house. I have no job, no money, I have not many clothes. I need help. Do I qualify?

i'm 18 years old and attending college. I have a job but do not make enough. Looking for a second job but that's not going too well. I don't live with my parents and they are not willing to help with the expenses. I'm paying for a car, insurance, and braces and school. I need a place to stay but I dont have enough money for all that. do i qualify for welfare?

I am 28 years old and pregnant. I work full time but my employee doesn't offer maternity benefits, and the last person to take time off after having a baby got laid off. i want to know if this would qualify me for benefits. I want to be sure my child gets proper care and food and i am afraid i won't find another job quickly enough.

I am 54 years old, and for the last seven years (until she died) I was full-time caregiver, 24/7 for my mother who had many health problems, but did not want to go to a nursing home. During that time I had no income -- my mother and I lived on her small pension from my deceased father's employer. Before that, I worked for fifteen years in retail. I have had no income this year, which I have fruitlessly spent trying to find a job. I've been going to free job search workshops at the Employment Development Department and joined a woman's job search support group (formed by women who were laid off last year from a credit union when taken over by another company -- despite over 200 years combined experience in banking, only one of them has found a job). It finally clicked that the reason we are not getting hired for jobs that we are more than qualified for is that employers would rather hire inexperienced teens, people on welfare and food stamps or felons -- because businesses can get paid up to $2400, or in some cases, $9000, for hiring such people who often have few job skills (reason why they may have ended up on welfare, etc.) So next time you are "helped" at a business by an employee who doesn't seem to know what they are doing (for example, I've read reviews for one place where I applied at, but of course wasn't hired, about cashiers who don't know how to make change), you can see the results first hand of how this practice of not hiring applicants who are best for the job, ultimately can hurt more people than it helps.

I'm 19 years old and living with my grandmother who gets social security only for her. She barely get enough to survive on let alone try to take care of me. My father pays $75 child support a week and it doesn't do anything for me. It's in my grandmother's name. I was told by welfare i can't get it because he pays $23 more so right now i don't qualify. However if i stop the child support, can i get welfare? Because if the child support stops then i would not be getting any money at all and I'm currently in school and have no way to pay for transportation. So can i get welfare if there's no more child support being paid? Please someone answer me back asap!

I was recently laid off and am having trouble finding a job. I know that when i do find a job i will not make as much as i was making with my last employer. While i was employed my wife and i were able to afford and pay off two decent cars. We also bought a home that now we struggle to pay mortgage on every month. While it may look like we are well off (just by looking at what we have) we are not anymore. The only income coming to us is my wife's pay and my unemployment benefits which is not much to be able to pay what we need to. Will we qualify for welfare assistance showing what we have like cars, a home, and a small emergency fund?

can my child get cut off of welfare medicare and if so, how?

my boyfriend is 22 and completely independent. He pays for his own college, food, gas, clothing, bills, everything. He is on his own, living in his step father's garage, but as i mentioned, completely independent tax wise. He is unable to find a job and currently attending college. Is he eligible for welfare?

It seems that people judge others way too much. I currently work for federal express, and my fiance is working 30 hours a week and going to school full time. we are young adults with a lot of responsibility and not much money. We do not mooch off our parents and work our butts off, and we still can't make ends meet. don't you dare make the judgment that we are lazy people when in fact, we have jobs, and we are going to school to do better in life. Sometimes you just don't make enough. sometimes it just doesn't work out and you need that little extra to get you through life, and that's what this welfare system is about. it's about helping people. i pay my taxes just like every other person, but sometimes, people just need to be a little more understanding. i commute 45 mins to work, six days a week, most of the time twice in one day. i pay my tolls twice a day and i spend so much in gas alone. i need a place i can call home that is closer to work, but i just can't make the payments. life is hard and in this depression, us teens fresh out of high school don't get a break. give us a chance.

Yes, you all can obtain benefits!!!!! Keep leeching off of me and the rest of the tax payers!!!

I am a 18 year old single mother in the state of kansas. My insurance did not cover my pregnancy and will not cover my child. we applied for healthwave and WIC but didn't recieve and help. I am going to college soon and I cannot juggle a child, college and a job. my parents paid most of my expenses and i would like to recieve help so they can have more money for their things is it possible for me to be eligible for welfare?

i'm 21 years old from texas and i'll soon be moving to minnesota. i currently have a job, but will be leaving real soon. i won't have a job when i get to minnesota not even a car. is there any way i can get welfare until i can get on my feet with a job? thanks. --sam34

I am 19 years old and i am going to school. However my parents want me out of the house. If i do leave my house, i will be homeless because i do not have enough money to rent a place for myself and i would like to keep going to school. Would i be qualified for welfare?

I feel like I'm out of place, but I feel the need to ask this silly question. My fiance and I are on our own. We're well into our twenties and going back to college while working mediocre jobs. Work's fine but my hours have been cut drastically and I'm the provider of nourishment while he pays the living expenses. My question is, we don't have any children and thankfully we don't. Making ends meet is extremely hard, if a child or more were in the picture, I don't see how we'd survive. I know, I know -- you do anything and everything to provide. True, but anyway, my question is: with us not having any children, how likely would it be that we receive assistance like food stamps? It seems that in order to receive any assistance, a child must be in the picture. If this is the case, it's unfair to those who cannot have children and still have trouble providing for themselves.

Can a 25 year old, unemployed son, living with his parents get assistance? It can't be right but my friends' son is. He receives health insurance and $200/month in food stamps! Doesn't it depend on household income?

The welfare system needs reform! Grow up and don't get pregnant unless you can afford to take care of your child! Americans, and I'm one of them, are so lazy and think the world owes them a living.

I'm 19 and currently living with my boyfriend. I don't have a job and had to leave school, because I couldn't get enough money to cover all the expenses. My aunt and uncle were granted custody of me at a young age and because of that, I was forced to declare independent status before I could go to school. I'm trying to get a job, but it's not going well and my boyfriend and I are running out of money. Am I qualified?

>I know a lady who has six kids she has been on welfare since she was sixteen now she is 38. lives better than me who is making more than $50000 a year. <

No, you don't.

One person can receive government assistance "welfare" for a total of cumulative total of five years, and that is it.

Nor do they live better than you, even with six kids. The average amount of cash assistance is $150 to $200 per person/month. In this case that would mean $1300/month for seven people.

If you are a single mom and you can't work, then most of the time the state can help you out. You need to show that you are willing to work. I am a mom who is a waitress with two kids and receive food stamps because I don't make a cretain amount of money. When both kids were not even born, I worked and received help. All you have to do is be able to talk to your case worker and if you are nice to them, they will usually try to help you.

My mom works hard everyday and commutes a lot of hours. She cannot sign my loan papers to go to college and its really hard finding a job as im 18 with a GED. She wants me to get this welfare stuff because she has been paying taxes all her life, working since 14 and knows its a hard work environment. Funny thing is though... I have pride? Life is funny. So im stuck in that situation. Broke as hell also.

Not all people on welfare are "gold diggers." as a matter of fact some are teens with need of help until they can face the world with their own with their new child. And if you have a comment on " it their fault for getting into this mess" dont judge. every one has made dumb decisions but should one be judged for the rest of their life ? Please try to look at all the facts before stating ignorant opinions and comments. You dont know what anyone is facing in life, most are just easy to judge " let those who have never sinned throw the first rock" i'd rather be on welfare then in a way pay back with my own taxes than to borrow money from people i know and never pay them back like most people have done to me

I would be willing to bet most people on here asking for welfare can afford the internet, cell phones and computers. But feel they are entitled to them. Then they ask hard working people to pay their way because they are too lazy to work.

It's getting to the point, everyone wants help but no one wants to work for it. What happened to morals? Get out and get a job and stop wanting everyone else to pay for your problems or mistakes.

I am 17 and I do not live with either of my parents. I am currently living with my friend and her mom and I am not working but I have to move out. I am trying to go back to school and get a job at the same time. I have a history of mental illness. But I do not have insurance so I cannot afford my medicine or afford to see a psychiatrist as I am supposed to be doing. I really need to know if I am eligible for welfare in the state of Pennsylvania. Thank you.

Hi, im 16 years old, gonna be 17 in september. im a mother of a 17 month old and 4 months pregnant. I was wondering if i was eligible to get welfare for my son?, since i know i cant for myself until in 18 unless i get emancipated "Correct"??

P.S. please no negativity..thank you!

my husband just left me and our twins (2 1/2 years). I'm German and in the process for getting my Green Card renewed. The twins are American citizens and I need to know if they can recieve welfare. As for now we are staying with my sister in law, b/c we can't afford our own place.

My boyfriend is in jail and I got laid off of work with 2 kids. Will i be eligible for welfare? Also since he signed the birth certificate does he have to pay the welfare people back when he gets out of jail?

Hello, I am 25 and no longer have a job, my mother has passed away leaving me to take care of my 65yr old father, Ive been looking for work forever to help with bills and was sondering if there was any help for me

im 19 and i dont have my g.e.d or my diploma yet...im 2 months pregnant and im on wic and i will soon be getting my owm food stamps...i heard that in order to get cash assitance from welfare that i have to put the baby's father on child support, is this true or can i still get it?

ok to the woman who is 29 years old with 2 kids and is dumping on teenager parents should shut it about not bein able to support a kid without help. Im 16 years old and my daughter is almost 1 im not on welfare and im gettin by pretty damn fine without it. i have a job im a full time student and i take care of my child ALONE and im not complaining. Also to the ones who are on welfare: don't let people dump on you about it if you need help, you need help. at least you didnt choose to end a babys life to benefit yourself. keep doing what you're doing because even if you need help now. your child will still thank you in the end for taking care of him however you could.

I am 18 years old and being evicted from my house soon. College has always been my dream and I am planning on attending a community college full time. *I do not have enough* money to live while going to college or rent out an apartment. Is there any way I could apply for welfare?

Any information would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

i'm a single mother to be. i just found out that i am pregnant and already 26 weeks along. i have no idea who the father could be because i was being dumb up until a few weeks ago. i was wondering if i would be able to receive welfare.

I am blown away by a young friend in our neighborhood - she answered my email:

Mss misty - truthful or not, i'm 26 years old and i honestly don't believe that i'm too young to have a child. no one is ever truly ready for kids, but this baby was planned, i don't consider my pregnancy a mistake, and i didn't accept your comment because i don't need negativity; that part of my life is over.. i have more important things to worry about right now and i'm not planning to live in a camper forever, i will not make my child suffer if people can't be excited for me i would rather they just keep it to themselves. and another thing i've worked hard for years! so now that i may need state aid...why shouldn't i be entitled to it...i do help contribute to it.

She misses the point I tried to tell her - that her boyfriend already has 4 kids - does not support them. She did bust her lip in saying - she is entitled to welfare! Believe me - she will ride it out on welfare for ever...Disgusted.

Welfare should have a new welfare moms psych evaluated.

Are there limits as to how many children a parent or parents on welfare can have? I understand that limiting peoples' right to have children can be unethical, but isn't it also wrong for adults on welfare, who cannot support themselves and their current children, to have more children and therefore ask for more money? Is there a law where their children can be taken away from them?

I feel that there are too many people out there who are abusing the system and are having children to get more money and not work. This is why I feel that welfare and other social programs are getting a bad "rap".

I am a working American citizen. If I become a Mexican citizen then come back and become an American citizen I will not have to work and get better health care and probably more money for free right? Is the catch I have to have lots of babies?

All of the people that are posting for some information are under age. That's y u should of thought in having baby's so young. I'm a 27 year old single mom of two boys. I don't receive any kind of help. I work so hard for the money. I also going to school for my LVN certificate. All the people that are working are paying to support all of you guy's. The government help's all this young people that are having babies. I think that's one of the reason that more and more young girl's are becoming pregnant. Next time use a *condom*. There is no way a young couple can raise babies on there own.

i am 19 with a 3 year old son. we live with his father and his grandparents. i have a part time job but my boyfriend (son's father) does not, but we still pay rent to my boyfriend's parents. are the 3 of us eligible for welfare?

I am 17 and I do not live with either of my parents. I am currently living with my cousin and he is working but we can barely afford to live in our apartment and put dinner on the table. I am trying to go back to school and get a job at the same time. I have a history of mental illness and I am supposed to be on medication but I do not have insurance so I cannot afford my medicine or afford to see a psychiatrist as I am supposed to be doing. I really need to know if I am eligible for welfare in the state of California. Thank you.

I'm 20 years old, i have a baby 4 years old and my husband is working for $250.00 a week, our rent is $1,000.00 i'm on food stamps and medicare, i'm not working so i just wonder if i can go and apply for welfare?

I am 18 and got kicked out of my house by my abusive mother. I don't have any money to get an apartment for 300 a month. On top of that I still attend high school as a junior. I don't have a job either or insurance. Not even a car. Am I able to get welfare? Please help!

I am 17 years old. I live with my mother, stepfather, stepsister, and halfbrother. My best friend's mother wants her to move out of their house and move in with me. She is on probation and we're fine with her moving in. The only problem is we won't have enough money to support another mouth to feed. Can we receive welfare? If not, do you have any suggestions that may help us?

We're a single-family-income household of 3 in Rhode Island. I work and make about $25000/yr after taxes. What is the most amount of money that you can make and still receive help? Can we get welfare?

I am 18 yrs old, I am 4 1/2 months pregnant and a full time student. I'm due in September, so this fall I will be a mother as well as a full time college student, when I can return. I have medicaid, wic, and food stamps but this is not enough for a single young mother. Can I receive welfare, if so what steps do I need to take and when?

I'm 18 years old and 8 months pregnant with my first child. I am living with my boyfriend and his mom and I have been for about a year now.

Me and my boyfriend are both employed at part time jobs. Lately there have been little bumps in my pregnancy like too much amniotic fluid causing me too look and feel larger and having more appointments than usual. It's getting kind of hard to stand there being a cashier.

So I was just wondering if I left on unpaid maternity leave, do you think I would be accepted for welfare?

i'm 19 years old n my mother is 44. my father died on oct 22 from colon cancer. i can't find a job anywhere. we are struggling to pay rent n utilities. at this time we have food stamps. we get 323 dollars. i'm grateful for this, but can we apply for welfare?

ps we live in boston,mass

To anon7303:

I would ask the Welfare Office directly. I think you would still be able to, but I think it depends really on the severity of the crime committed. Sorry I couldn't help too much. Better contact your local Welfare Office just to be sure. Good luck!

To anon26702:

No, you need a social security number first. You need to apply for one and then they will access whether you are eligible. Being 16 and pregnant simply doesn't qualify you.

To anon25027:

No, that is wrong. I applied for welfare (food stamps) in the past but I was *not* eligible. Just because you have a baby and are a pregnant minor, does *not* mean you are eligible. You have to be an emancipated minor, and or disabled, unable to work for one reason or another.

Being a mother simply doesn't qualify you. there are loads of single mothers over 18 that have applied. What makes you so special?!!

To anon26702:

No you may not. If you are an emancipated *adult* that needs welfare, you need to get a Social Security Number. Contact a lawyer to know how this process goes. Then, they will access you to see if you are qualified for welfare. Otherwise, you will just be denied. I have tried it myself.

i am 16 years old. i'm a single pregnant teen. my baby will be born in march (next month). i do not have a social security number. can i still receive welfare for my son?

First, to answer the question from anon23947, yes you are eligible. You are considered exempt from the eligibility requirements according to regulations if you are under the age of 17 I believe, have a child under 12 or 18 months of age, or are pregnant.

Second, I was wondering about the legality of receiving benefits when the primary custodial parent who is not working, but has the ability to work, is receiving welfare benefits for two children, one of whom is 13; and the 13 yr. old is living with her grandparents and using their residence as the legal residence while the custodial parent is living in state funded housing. She has been receiving benefits for many years.

if ur 17 about to be 18 in 4 months, no income, single parent and giving birth in 5 months am i eligible for welfare (food stamps, medical and money)?

I know a lady who has six kids she has been on welfare since she was sixteen now she is 38. lives better than me who is making more than $50000 a year. can they put a gap of children someone in welfare should have because i am tired paying for people like that.

Are there any free web sites that will post a posting for deadbeat parents?

In the state of Va. what is considered child abandonment, and the other parent(father) can petition for full physical custody. Non-custodial parent(mother) in arrears of 42k child support,lives in another state, has not exercised court ordered visitation in 5 years, only a phone call every couple of months.Also looking possible parental rights removed from NCP (mother).

How can a single mother with one child, in arrears of child support live in a section 8 housing and receive welfare?

Hello, I am a single father and have 1 child. I collect food stamps from welfare. I did my income taxes and reported 7750 that I made as a self employed babysitting. Do I still qualify for this welfare or would I have a problem?

Can you have felony background & still be on welfare?