AA used to dupe the welfare system

Question

I know this woman who does marijuana and booze all the time and her son does P but they go to AA so as they can stay on welfare. Is this the norm? AA certainly hasn't helped her any but it works for her; she's been going for around 20 years, is 50 and never had a paid job in her life.

Answer 1

I know that sometimes severe alcoholics can receive benefits, but I assure you it isn't the norm. It is very difficult to prove that alcoholism is so chronic that you cannot quit. AA would have nothing to do with her receiving benefits because if she was sober she could work in their eyes. She may be going to satisfy some sort of court agreement or custody agreement, but not for welfare or disability.

AA is not a program to "fix" alcoholics it is a fellowship of recovering alcoholics who work a 12 step program, so clearly she is trying or she feels like she needs the support of the fellowship if she has been going for 20 years. AA frowns on drinking of course and would not welcome her if she wasn't doing something to work on it.

I'm sorry that this woman's finances have you all upset, but it isn't very likely that AA has anything to do with it. Sorry.

Answer 2

I once saw an evening news report about a drunk who had social workers tracking him down in the streets to give him his disability check. It made me sick!  Actually, it made me furious. I have a very dear friend who has constant pain due to a metabolic and nervous disorder (eye disease), yet she cannot get any medical attention except through her insurance, which right now is running her $600 a month, and the poor angel is unemployed.

Something is very wrong with this country!