Is it OK to do that?

getforfree · #1 (**permalink**) 04-28-2006, 11:11 AM

I just got raise, and it its a good news, but the thing is the extra $50/months will preven me from qualifying for Wic program. For those who doesn't know its the nutritional program where you get free wouchers for foof like milk, juice,cereal, eggs, cheese. Even if I would buy this food on good sale, I would still spend more than $50 a month.
The WIC program checks my income 2x a year. They tell me to bring the paystubs for the previous month.
So, I am thinking, on those months, I can take an extra day off, or my dh can do it. So we loose maybe $100-$200 a year of pretax earnings, but we would get much more for free, plus an extra day off is always nice.
So, what do you think?

boefixepa · #2 (**permalink**) 04-28-2006, 12:24 PM

I'm a little biased on this because I have seen so many people take advantage of help systems. Now, I'm not saying you are doing that in any way, and yes there are those that honestly need it, but do you have the goal to be self-suffient? Try it for a few months. Maybe powdered Milk, and egg subsitutes (I saw a message somewhere on the board about what they use instead of fresh eggs), and other cost savings methods on this board. Long and short of it is that hpoefully sooner than later you are going to have to do this yourself. There are going to be some things that are harder than others, but the sooner you can do it the better off you will be. You just have to weigh the odds yourself and decide what is more important to you.

getforfree · #3 (**permalink**) 04-28-2006, 12:34 PM

Well, if this would be a $200 extra every month, I wouldn't even think about it. But by making extra 50(40-45 after tax), I would lose like $70(counting by sale price w some coupons) every month in free food. Well, I wouldn't buy chese then. It's too expencive.

eisor · #4 (**permalink**) 04-28-2006, 01:44 PM

I'd have to agree with beofixpa about being self-sufficent. However, one of the points of the wic program is to guarantee nutrients are getting to those that need them. If you are going to have to cut out these foods which provide them, staying on the benefits might be something to consider.

boefixepa · #5 (**permalink**) 04-28-2006, 02:34 PM

I just had a brain storm of an idea.....What do you and hubby claim on your W-4s? If you qualify for WIC you are getting everything back and probably getting the child credit too. I do taxes for a few of my friends that are in similar situations as you. So....go in and change your W-4 exception to married 10 for both of you. That way they take out the least tax possible and maybe your take home pay will increase enough you could do without the WIC. Keep in mind that this will reduce your tax return next year, but for me that would be a small price to pay for being about to take another step in the right direction.

getforfree · #6 (**permalink**) 04-28-2006, 10:24 PM

I don't pay any state or federal taxes on my paychecks,but I still have to pay social sec, medicare and all that kind of stuff, which is still a lot, like 7 or 8%. My dh pays total with the social security, medicare and all those taxes about 10% total.
We are not living paycheck to paycheck, we have some savings, and I usually pay extra on the mortgage every month.
It is all because I have a stockpile and I use tons of coupons always. We never eat out and I cook everything at home. I pack my dh's and my lanch to work, so we don't have to spend money to buy it. Thats a lot of work, and thats why we don't live paycheck to paycheck. And we also don't have childcare, because I don't want to pay for it and thats why we have different shifts. Dh works days and I work nights.
So an extra day when none of us has to go anywhere and finally spending some time with my dh is like a gift to me.

PrincessPerky · #7 (**permalink**) 04-29-2006, 07:39 AM

Extra days off rock...but are you willing to have someone else work for you to be able to do it? It is our tax money paying for your milk... And I never mind paying for milk if a baby needs it...but.....

getforfree · #8 (**permalink**) 04-29-2006, 10:17 AM

PP, you can't possibly pay any taxes, because you don't work.
I do all the work a SAHM would do, because I don't have childcare, plus I go to work at least 4 nights a week.

lrjohnson · #9 (**permalink**) 04-29-2006, 10:40 AM

Wow. Wow. That response was really uncalled for, in my opinion. PP, her husband, and children are a family unit that certainly does pay taxes.

I'm a childfee (not childless) woman who works-I have no desire to enter the working mom/SAHM debate in the least. I do cherish the tone of civility, even kindness, I usually find on this board.

I myself wouldn't make the choice to continue to be WIC eligible. I can see both sides, I suppose. May your final decison be carefully thought out so you don't regret either way.

PrincessPerky · #10 (**permalink**) 04-29-2006, 11:25 AM

DH works and we qualify for WIC, we don't take it though...

I am sorry my post angered you, you asked if we thought it was right that you continue to take WIC...I just gave my opinion.

Ima saver · #11 (**permalink**) 04-29-2006, 01:50 PM

My father died when I was a child. My mother got a job making $20 a week. (this was in the late 50's) She raised me and my sister on that. She was eligible for welfare, but she never took it. We didn't get any free food either. My sister and i both got jobs. (when I turned 12)

khorovetsyelena · #12 (**permalink**) 04-30-2006, 07:20 AM

Me, personally would take anything I can qualify for. I wouldn' let my kids suffer, so the goverment would spend less money. Doesn't everybody tries to pay as less tax as possible. The goverment is sponsoring some projects that I personally wouldn't aapprove. So, I think, its ok if somebody doesn't approve that people with kids would take some free food.
But if you quialify for it, take it, or somebody else will.
I know some people like to borrow books for free from libraries. Right? So why we all just stop doing that, so they would close the libraries and not spend any money on it? Because somebody's tax money pays for it.

Ima saver · #13 (**permalink**) 04-30-2006, 07:41 AM

In my mother's case, it was a matter of pride. We did not suffer, we got jobs and learned how to be responsible people at a very early age. I am proud that I paid my own way, paid for my clothing and school supplies, at a young age.

PrincessPerky · #14 (**permalink**) 04-30-2006, 09:20 AM

My kids dont suffer, they have enough, with some to spare, thats all I need.

shawni · #15 (**permalink**) 04-30-2006, 09:28 AM

If you ask for opinions about something, you can't then be defensive and argue what you wanted to hear. It's obvious you wanted to hear that it's ok to cheat hard working tax paying citizens into thinking you are "needy" by taking a day off work. Anyone that agrees with you is most likely probably cheating the system themselves. I know I probably said that more blunt than you would have liked, but I won't apologize for it. Before you think I'm a right winged jerk, I work for a non profit clinic serving people that need those services and would do anything to be healthy enough to work for it.

Ima saver · #16 (**permalink**) 04-30-2006, 12:21 PM

Shawni, I love your "saying" (there is probably a correct word for that), anyone who thinks sunshine is happiness, has never danced in the rain!!!

[Automated by GetSmile]

frugalfarmwife · #17 (**permalink**) 05-02-2006, 11:32 PM

Bravo Shawni!!

If you're able bodied and can work do you really need to take that food? You're able to make extra mortgage payments so you're not struggling, those gov't programs are meant for people that wouldn't be able to afford the food otherwise.

Sorry, a bit touchy about those that "take" the system, I'm not saying you are, but I see it all the time and I'm more than a bit frustrated with it.

I worked for years in the workforce and now work on the farm, hubby works 50+ a week and farms also, our tax dollars are what put that food out there for those in need.

BTW, if I really wanted to I could go for disability but pride won't let me, I have a chronic condition that gets worse with time and can no longer work off the farm, but I can and will do all that I can as long as I can at home and will NEVER go for gov't assistance.

kj

nanamom · #18 (**permalink**) 05-03-2006, 08:18 AM

I have no problem using the WIC system when you qualify for it. However taking a day off to make you qualify sounds unethical to me. I have no problem with my tax money going to support people who aren't doing as well. I agree the system needs to come up with a better way of determining who gets help and who doesn't but I would rather my tax dollars go to milk and eggs than thousand dollar hammers. We help families out in our area when we find one that needs a boost.

Thrifty Ray · #19 (**permalink**) 05-03-2006, 08:36 AM

I think the WIC program is wonderful for those who need it.

However, if you are able to pay extra on your mortgage and save each month you probably don't need WIC....why not shuffle finances a little and ensure that (what would have been) your portion will be there for the person who cant save or make rent unless they have assistance.

tomkat · #20 (**permalink**) 05-03-2006, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getforfree

I don't pay any state or federal taxes on my paychecks,but I still have to pay social sec, medicare and all that kind of stuff, which is still a lot, like 7 or 8%. My dh pays total with the social security, medicare and all those taxes about 10% total.
We are not living paycheck to paycheck, we have some savings, and I usually pay extra on the mortgage every month.
It is all because I have a stockpile and I use tons of coupons always. We never eat out and I cook everything at home. I pack my dh's and my lanch to work, so we don't have to spend money to buy it. Thats a lot of work, and thats why we don't live paycheck to paycheck. And we also don't have childcare, because I don't want to pay for it and thats why we have different shifts. Dh works days and I work nights.
So an extra day when none of us has to go anywhere and finally spending some time with my dh is like a gift to me.

Getforfree,

I don't mean to offend, but it sounds to me like you're trying to pull something over the government.

I read on another thread that you and your husband live on $30,000/year. You also noted that your mortgage payment is $1500/month. Now, my husband and I make considerably more money than you and your husband, but we can't swing a $1500/month mortgage without some serious sacrifice and budgeting. And we have no debt. So, my question is, where do you live? If you're living some place like Cali, then I understand the high mortgage. However, if you are living in an area where housing isn't ridiculously inflated, you can definitely have the money for your food if you downsize into a cheaper home.

In my mind, if you can afford a $1500 mortgage, if you can afford to put money in savings, if you can afford to pay extra on your mortgage, then you should be able to afford food. You may need to shift some of your financial priorities around.

My humble opinion, of course.