The Welfare Stigma

Published June 5, 2015 by Amplio Recorrido

I believe it’s important to address the stigma of those on Welfare, Food Stamps and any other form of help for needy families. I’ve seen too many discussions, arguments, memes and they were all negative and clearly had the wrong views. Let me set it straight for you. 

Medicaid – The insurance that’s required for those who either don’t have work or can’t afford insurance on their own. It’s critical for families who are struggling because, medicaid provides necessary healthcare of children and adults alike including medications which couldn’t otherwise be afforded. 

Food Stamps – Given to those who are under the poverty line at around 130% below the line. These food stamps are not just given to anyone, they are given to people who not only meet the poverty guideline but, they are also given to people who do work and aren’t making enough money. Everything is included when being eligible for food stamps including the amount of rent and utilities you pay, allowances for phone, child support and many other expenses

Cash Assistance – A set amount of money based on how much you make and some of the expenses you have to pay out but only, rent and utilities. Nothing else is included in that when it comes to your requirements. It’s not a large amount of money like most people think. 

The main reason that we’re talking about this today is because there’s so many people out there who receive a bad stigma for being on welfare of any kind and they are often bashed for it. Not everyone who’s on assistance is on drugs or selling their food stamps. Not everyone who’s on assistance doesn’t pay their taxes or hasn’t ever paid taxes, not everyone can find work even with previous experience or an education. Not much of your tax dollars go to funding these programs, as a matter of fact more of your tax dollars go to funding the military expenses, like creating robots to fight in senseless wars. 

You see, people are quick to say “Why don’t you go get a job and pay taxes like everyone else”. That being said, you’re assuming that they aren’t working now and that they have never paid taxes and you’re also not doing your research on how little of tax dollars actually go to the programs. You automatically assume that you’re supporting someone else’s family who you claim is on drugs, lazy and looking for handouts. Do you realize the number of people who can only find part time work, were let go from their jobs so the jobs could be shipped overseas, went through a horrible divorce and were left with nothing, became disabled and are waiting in the 2-3 year waiting list to receive disability benefits? No, you’re not considering any of those things or you wouldn’t post ignorant comments and memes talking about people you know nothing about! 

So I’ll say this, unless you know the person personally, unless you’re willing to get them a job or give them a job, unless you’re willing to hear them out and hear their I’m sure heartbreaking story, STOP JUDGING THEM! 

foodstamp ignorance

THIS MEME IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF SOMEONE JUDGING SOMEONE ON FOOD STAMPS. HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THE IPHONE WASN’T A GIFT FROM SOMEONE THAT APPLIES TO MULTIPLE YEARS IN A ROW, HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THEIR TATTOOS WEREN’T DONE BY A FRIEND OR THAT THEY WEREN’T DONE BEFORE THEY LOST EVERYTHING? HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT THE MANI-PEDI WASN’T SOMETHING SOMEONE ELSE DID FOR THEM OR THEY DONE THEIR SELVES AT HOME? BELIEVE IT OR NOT THERE ARE STICK ON NAIL THINGS THAT LOOK PROFESSIONAL. 

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