Why do people automatically assume that if you are on state assistance, then you don't have a job?

Question

Not to mention, but also why do people assume that if you have ever done drugs,then you don't have a job. I am single, and pregnant, and working, and going to school, but the state still helps me out with insurance, and they give me 10 dollars a month in food stamps, just to keep my case open for when I cant work.

I have asked alot of question in regards to being a single mother, and the first response I get is : "GET A JOB" I have a job. I only make 8 dollars per hour, and it doesn't offer insurance, but I was taught that it is better to take what you can get, and still look for better, rather than wait around for that "perfect" opportunity, and end up doing nothing.

Also, before I got pregnant, I used to do lots of drugs, especially on the weekends, and still managed to go to work, and do my job, without any complaints.

I don't understand why people just assume that if you are in either of these situations, that you dont have a job. What the fuc is up with that????

Answer 1

ppl are small minded and stupid! Don't listen to them, you are making sure you and your child are provided for, that is all that matters, not where the money comes from!  

Answer 2

I don't know why people assume this kind of c**p. I'm on WIC and waiting to hear if I'm approved for the food stamps and medicaid that I applied for. And to top it off I work at a Government job - how crazy is that - i get state assistance and i have a government job.

People might not want to see it, but you're doing the best you can with what you have. People shouldn't look at you differently or assume things, after all your working your a** off and your about to have a kid for crying out loud!!!

Just don't worry about what others think. Your doing what you have to do for you and your child - no one else.  

Answer 3

Why do you care what other people think about you?  If someone wants to make an assumption about you from a couple hundred words, let them. It doesn’t impact your life in any way.

Unless your marital status and personal choices are specific to the question you asked, you don’t have to share that info which eliminates the chance for someone to judge you for it.

And some people just want two points so they’ll post just about anything.

Answer 4

In my state, I know that if one parent is working full time, he/she will make "too much" to receive any public assistance. Therefore, when I see someone in my town using public assistance, I know that person is either not working or not working full time.  I am not sure about other states, but the cutoff here is very low.  

Can't you find a better job?  I live in a college kid saturated town, but there are still many jobs that pay at least 10$ an hour, even if you aren't educated.  You need to keep looking and keep applying for jobs until you get something better.

*edit*  :)  Of course with the thumbs down....there is nothing wrong with a woman working hard to pay her own way.  It's admirable.  I'm sorry that some of you find it so objectionable.  It's a perfectly valid suggestion.

Answer 5

I think that's just a stereo type. I am on medicaid and am not ashamed of it at all. Medical bills are expensive and most jobs don't give good health insurance and even if they do it's like half your check just to have insurance. I don't know about you but my family can't afford any loose of money from my husbands checks. I also stay at home with the kids because we won't qualify for assistance for daycare. If I got a job that would all go to day care expenses and not to mention gas getting to work. I say Ignore what people have to say about things like this because what ever works for your family is the most important. Not to mention there is always going to be someone who thinks what you do isn't right. Tell um to stuff it!

Answer 6

I think it is probably because people just don't know.  I have never been on state assistance, but assumed it was only for people who didn't have jobs.  So, it is just probably that people don't know you can get assistance even if you are working.  I agree with you though that it is best to take what you can get while looking for the perfect opportunity; and am glad that the state can help you and your baby with the insurance that you need.  Best of luck.

Answer 7

People will think what they think; you can choose for it not to bother you... But, I would assume that someone who did 'lots of drugs,' would not be able to hold down a job, for long, or---at the very least---that their job performance would suffer... I can't prove it, but it's still what I would think, if I bothered to think of it, at all. (Which, I don't, actually: I'm just answering the question!)

Answer 8

my husband and i were on state asstance for over a year. people often looked down on us but we really couldnt afford anything. it was a hard time and my husband worked and i stayed home, only because day care and gas would take up all of what i made. if you cant afford to take care of yourself or your children but are really trying i dont see anything wrong with it. everyone goes through hard times.

my husband went to college, got his degree and makes around $60,000 a year. if we didnt have state assistance he would not have been able to go to college, as he would have had to take 2 jobs.

i used to smoke weed when i was younger. to me, that has nothing to do with who i am today. if you want to change, you can and it sounds like you are trying. really dont worry what others think. i did and i felt like a failure. just do the best you can do right now and show people and yourself that you are making an effort. congrats on the baby, everything will work out!

if you ever need to talk, please email me. [e-mail]

i know how you feel and ive been there!