mdyoung

In the U.S. employers pay a Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA ) tax to cover workers that lose their job.

http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/...uitaxtopic.asp

With Welfare and Food Stamps the money comes out of general tax revenues. State and Federal unemployment taxes are dedicated taxes to run the program.

scrubbedexpat099

If the benefit is somehow derived from a prior contribution, then I would take it as being Insurance even when supplied by a Government and not equitably contributed for, NHS for example.

Welfare usually does not fall into that category, charity can be Government paid or Individual paid. When it is Government paid it is just a forcible form.

lapin_windstar

Tosh - the government doesn't do anything out of the goodness of its heart - it's not allowed to.

Deedee13

welfare, food stamps, unemployment benefit, income support. No matter what it is called, its there for a reason - to help people in times of need. My biggest gripe is that some peoples basics are my luxuries. But wouldnt life be boring if we all had the same opinions.

All I know is that me, myself and I, when I am broke even now, when I was down, and believe me I have been there, while working and while not working, had to sit down and seriously look at my standard of living. I am not saying it deteriorated I am saying that there were things that were put on the priority list that I just took for granted before. So yes it does amaze me I see that people are probably coping a lot better than I did, or do, and manage to have what I would call luxuries whilst having a tough time financially.

If they can afford cell phones great. I know I couldnt. If they can afford the lobster, great! I couldnt. and I wouldnt. There are so many different reasons people end up getting assistance so there is no way you can paint everyone with the same brush. And I made sure I picked myself up and dusted myself donw to get back off it when I was on it for a short time. Even If i thought having a cell phone was a priority, unfortunately kids shoes, kids clothes, food, rent, utilities, had more of a priority. And as for a job, I walked, I applied, i wrote, I posted, i called, there are ways to do everything if u have the right mindset. Yes it is simpler to have a cell phone to be reached all the time... but when plan A is not going to work, then plan B sets in. Being in need isnt fun by any stretch of the imagination, but u got to help urself first before u can expect help from anyone else.

Ur right welfare is not charity. Its tax payers money being used for a service. Its not a handout its a hand up!

scrubbedexpat099

I did not comment about motivation.

A handout is a handout is a handout. Source does not change what it is.

lapin_windstar

Charity has to be voluntary on the part of the giver.

scrubbedexpat099

That would describe welfare.

Mallory

Medicaid, SSI, welfare payments, WIC and food stamps go to those below the poverty line.

Medicare goes to the elderly and disabled.

Unemployment benefits are payable to those that have lost their job, regardless of income.

Xebedee

Not every state has a guaranteed unemployment benefit.
Shock-horror to them who doesn't know!

The one I'm in has no promise that if you are laid off you will get "the dole" - its all done on a case by case basis.

Bob

Thing is, if your up in Maine, and get lobster straight from the fisherman on one of the islands, you could get a lobster for $6 and some will take food stamps, which is cheaper than get a slab of meat...does mean going off to the coast though

lapin_windstar

This is just self-evidently incorrect - there's probably not much point in continuing this.

scrubbedexpat099

Self evidently correct I think you meant.

But the sense of entitlement does go to the route cause of many problems.

gemini

I don't think it is a crock, not at all. I volunteer at a homeless shelter and 75% of the people work low paying jobs. Those kind of jobs are frequently through day labour companies so a cell phone is a necessity for them to get the call about their job. There are fewer and fewer pay phones around and the shelter has no phone and is only open 8 am to 6 pm. The cell phone is a necessity for those who work, it really is.

AmerLisa

Yeah I've got to agree......in my knowledge you can't even buy toiletries with food stamps.....how could you get away buying beer?

cpltony

OK my wife now just said you can't buy beer on food stamps. It just depends on if the store sells beer and if the cashier puts it through

I'll refrain from posting anything my wife says now without fully researching myself. My apologies.