Mallory

Must be below poverty line, and depends on how many dependents you have. Instead of just giving people welfare checks, they get checks and food stamps, to make sure that it is actually spent on food. Many below poverty line are also on Medicaid, with free treatment of medical and medicines. Loads of rules though!

Tracym

No problem - I was unclear, my apologies

lapin_windstar

Agree totally: if you qualify for it, you should take it. It's what it's there for. People that don't take unemployment/welfare/disability etc when they're entitled to it are causing themselves grief for no reason.

Lord Lionheart

Thanks. So is there a national poverty line or do they vary state by state

scrubbedexpat099

Its mostly State and varies by State, I did have it explained it to me, horribly complicated, you really need to know your stuff to make sure you max out the programmes.

WIC, well the volume here seems very generous, most of our milk and butter came form this for a while, surplus to requirements. Seems to be a tie in with the farming lobby.

tamms_1965

I think each state runs its own system with different guidelines, etc. Some states have time limits as to how long you can be on it, they may require you to work or go to school if you are able, but give you childcare vouchers, etc., and it is about impossible for a healthy male to get it (in most states) unless he is a single dad.

Silly Sod

May I just say 'OMFG!!!" ha ha. My step daughter was sick last year. She has medicaid. One night she was choking, couldn't breathe. I put the kettle on. Called the Doc. Made an appointment for........two months hence!

I told them to ##% off!!! Medicaid means nothing.

Titchski

Medicaid is NOT free - while the majority of the bill is paid by Medicaid, there is still a copay that the provider will chase you for payment.

scrubbedexpat099

A new doctor?

That has not been my experiance.

tamms_1965

Not unless you go to a provider that accepts Medicaid as full payment or go to a 'clinic.' I know These may be hard to find in some areas.

mdyoung

Bring back government cheese, to hell with Food Stamps and Independence Cards.

Mallory

Since when?

Not talking about Medicare here.

Bob

There was a scam in maine where people would get milk with food stamps, empty them down the drain to get bottle refunds which they could then use for beer and smokes, so can no longer get milk on food stamps up there

another bloody yank

People here used to just sell the foodstamps for cash. Now that those cards are used the cardholder goes to the store with the person or just gives them the card to use, after they get the cash.

Bluegrass Lass

Bottle refunds?? Thought that was only available for glass bottles? Do you get your milk in glass bottles up there?? If so, I didn't realize that was still done. We get ours in a plastic jug.

Food stamps and WIC are great for those that actually need it, I just wish there was some way to make sure the system couldn't be abused and ensure people who need it can get it. My best friend was once denied WIC because they made $10 too much - I could not believe it when she told me that.