Questions About Public Aid and Unemployment please help...?

Question

I have been with my current employer for almost 4 years. I am a hard working, dedicated employee with no past preformance problems. I made a mistake with my bank (I am responsible for $28,500) and it caused the company to loose $5010.68. I am being told as we speak if they cannot find the error, they will just assume that I took the money and I will loose my job.

I have never, EVER stolen anything in my life! And I have been nothing but dedicated to this company. I asked if I could keep my job and just replace the money and they said no. I have a 1 year old son and my son's father was laid off from his job last month. He currently only receives $188 every 2 weeks for unemployment. So I am basically the only real provider at the moment. If I loose my job I will loose my apartment, my car and not have any money to feed my family! So, on to my questions:

Given the situation at hand, if I get fired, do you think I will be able to collect unemployment until I can find a new job? Also, would I qualify for any sort of public assistance while on unemployment such as medical coverage for my son and possibly food stamps? Also, my son's father and I live together and he gives me every last dime he has so he is contributing as much as he can at the moment so I am afraid if I go to public aid, since we are not legally married yet, they may go after him for money or child support. Any information you can give me would be helpful. Thank you!!!

AND I AM NOT TRYING TO BE LAZY AND SIT AROUND AND JUST COLLECT AND MOOCH OFF OF THE GOVERNMENT EITHER. I AM SIMPLY MAKING SURE MY FAMILY CAN SURVIVE WHILE ME AND MY SON'S FATHER FIND WORK.

Answer 1

Yes, you appear to be eligible to food stamps, unemployment and medicare. You may get denied for the unemployment at first because, from the company's point of view, fraud may have played a role. APPEAL any denial you receive, this is important . As far as your boyfriend the only time they will go after him to pay aid back is when he is not in the house or if you are dishonest about his income. If you are honest and tell them he is there and give them all his income information they will base your aid with him included and he will not pay anything back. The current maximum income for food stamps is $1861 for a household of 3 (good till 9/30/2008) and most of the time if you are eligible to food stamps you are eligible to medicare.