How much money do people on welfare receive?

Question

I'm curious about helping out a friend. She has 2 kids, single, and in the US

Answer 1

Here in the UK a single adult only gets £60 a week - out of which i am subsidising my rent in part. So i really get about £40 to actually spend, including food and clothing.

Answer 2

Not very much.

Answer 3

It depends on the state. In Pennsylvania, I believe a person with children receives approx $205-215(cash).....food stamps (varies amt) and possible Medical assistance

Answer 4

i have no clue D: i am sorry :(

Answer 5

They recieve too much......

Well, a majority of people do, due to the fact that they manipulate the system and get it when they dont need it.

They get enough for cheap housing, and a little extra. Its hard to get by on!

Answer 6

Way too much.  Your friend should not have had children before she was married, and before she was financially able to support them, even in a worst case scenario.  Your friend is irresponsible and immature, and she made her own decisions - why should I or anyone else have to pay for her poor behavior?

EDIT

CollegeBoy, you missed my point ;-) $1 is too much - nobody deserves anything like that for free, provided they can work.  I don't care if someone CHOSE to have kids, or is too lazy or uneducated to get a job.  Not my problem.  I have bills to pay, and college is not cheap.  If someone wants to help idiots who made crappy decisions, fine.  Do so.  But don't force the rest of us to subsidize morons, just because you have a bleeding heart.  A woman like the one described in the question doesn't deserve a dime for her poor decisions.

Answer 7

It depends on where she lives.  But either way, its not much.  For a mother and 1 child here in California, you get $584.  However, rent for a 1 bedroom apartment is about $1200 a month.  They will give about $150 or so in foodstamps.  But that is for a family of 2.  Because she is a family of 3, she will get slightly more food stamps and cash aid.  

If her children are under 6 she can receive WIC for them.  Also, have her call 211 for referrals on where she can find community resources for things she needs such as food, diapers (if needed), clothes, gas vouchers, utility or rental assistance.  Also, depending on where she is located, HUD may not be too long of a wait.  She can apply for that and when she gets to the top of the list she will get free or reduced housing.  Also, what is quicker than that is there are subsidized housing that she can get in the meantime.  They take you income and decide how much rent you will need to pay.

I hope that helps.   If you need any other help feel free to contact me.  I know its rough out there, but she will do fine.

Answer 8

Welfare is administered on the state level, so you will need to check with your state agency.  Cash benefits are typically pretty low, but she can probably get her children enrolled in the state health insurance program which might help with medical costs.  She can also apply for WIC, which is a federal food aid program for women, infants, and children.

Answer 9

There are many different types and each has it's own specifications to qualify.  In the end, not a whole lot.  It is a myth that they live better than the working person does.  Have your friend contact the local Social Security office and the local DHS office.