Would you be embarrassed to use WIC coupons or food stamps if you needed them?

Question

My husband lost his job back in March and his new one pays MUCH less. We even had to relocate to a one bedroom apt because we couldn't afford our old place. Now I qualify for WIC, which will provide me and the baby with food essentials, but I'm just sooo embarrassed to use them. It's obvious that you're on WIC because you have to use the little coupons. Also, I qualify for Medicaid (since we lost or insurance) and about $100 in food stamps as well.

I've been working and paying taxes since I was 16 and so has my husband. I'm also in college full time so yes, we have paid into the system and we both STILL pay taxes into it. Plus we genuinely NEED this help right now. After I finish nursing school in 2 years I will no longer need the help so I don't need a lecture about using public aid. Thats what it's there for.

But how can I get over the embarrassment of using these programs?

Answer 1

You  should  not be  embarrassed    using  WIC  or  food  stamp  it  is  a  helping  hand, HEADS UP don't think it necessary  for you  to  explain why,You  know  yourself  WHY  and  that  should  be  enough .What  other  people  think  DO NOT   matter ,get  and  take  what  you  can , that  is  all  paid  for  when  you  we're  contributing  to  the  system  the  whole  time  when  you  we're  working  and  you  are  just  collecting  what  is  yours.

                                 IT"S  OK  ; SMILE , THINGS  will  be  fine

Answer 2

Most other shoppers won't know what WIC is. I remember being embarassed too. But that's what it's there for, for temporary aid for mothers. We all do what we have to do to get to better stations in life, and for the health and welfare of our children. There's no shame in using public monies to which you and your family have contributed for that. Keep your head up, and Goddess bless you and your family!

Answer 3

They dont give out actual stamps anymore. They give you an ebt card, and the WIC stuff looks like regular coupons and in most stores they wont even give it a look... they are just trying to get you in and out.

But you should never be ashamed of government assistance. This is a community it is out duty to help eachother out! You seen like hard working people down on their luck. You are doing right by your family, that is nothing to be embarrassed about.  

Answer 4

Don't be.  

Answer 5

i feel exactly the same way.  I am a young mother and we live on $15,000 a year for a fmaily of 3.  It gets hard and i have WIC but i am really embarassed about using them.  I usually have my husband do it for me because i just cant live it down.  I know that i shouldnt be embarassed but it makes your feel like trash to take that pink folder out and use the checks to get food.

Answer 6

I have been on WIC now for 3 years. I use to be kinda embarrassed to use my wic checks but I got over real quick after I used  them a couple times and realized that if I don't, I don't have enough food essentials in my house. I realized I need to do what I need to do to have the food in my house, and just because your going through a rough patch financially, doesn't mean you shouldn't have the food. The cashiers haven't ever given a d**n to how I am paying for my items, as long as I am paying them one way or another. as for everyone else in line...who cares? I would say just suck it up, use them once or twice and see how not many people really care/

Answer 7

You need the assistance why be embarrassed for? My Husband was laid off from his work earlier this year, just 2 months before I was due. I only work part time so it wasn't enough. We tried our best, but had to give in to assistance. We qualify for WIC and Medicaid but no Food Stamps since we make too much. The time we were accepted I was on Disability and he was on EDD. Before we were accepted I had to get health insurance for my kids through the state which I made monthly payments for. They are most important so their needs go first. It's gotten tougher but we are handling it quite well. With the economy the way it is it isn't easy in finding a job. My Husband is still Jobless, but it's okay since he is at home caring our newborn. In the meantime we will look for jobs together since I know working Part Time isn't enough.

Answer 8

Dont be.  The reason for the program is to help people like you when you are down.  My wife and i were on it when our children were small.  Yes it was alittle embarrassing but would you rather not provide for your children. Who cares what others think you should realize that you have a responsiblity to take care of those little ones. I was brought up thinking it was wrong for a HAND OUT but my dad told me that it was a HAND UP.  You will get back on your feet again.Good luck and GOD SPEED...

Answer 9

Hey you gotta do what you gotta do, don't be embarrassed its nothing to be ashamed about, you need help right now so you take it, don't worry about what people say. I wish you the best of luck!

Answer 10

no one will know except the cashier.  people use coupons all the time, and no one cares.  why would they care that you're using coupons?  they don't know what they are or waht they're for...or why you have them.  you HAVE been paying into the system, and now you need a little help.  take it!  i know it's hard.  but seriously...if i could have qualified for it while i was pregnant i'd take it in a heartbeat!  and i dare someone to say something about it!  public aid is there for people who need it...you need it.  it's going to make your life a lot easier through this hard time. you won't have to worry about your baby getting the care she needs, you won't have to worry about much of the food she needs to stay healthy...and you need to be healthy too!  it might be hard for you to use everything the first time, but when you realize that no one is going to say anything about it, you'll be much more comfortable.  best of luck to you!

Answer 11

listen doll, don't be embarrassed. there's a difference between needing the system and "working" the system.

i was in your shoes years ago. i received all that too and was very embarrassed. i used to shop out of town so i didn't run into anyone i knew. i don't know if that's possible for you to do with gas prices. good luck. you're being a good mom to make sure your baby has food and medical. our country spends more on illegals than on taking care of our own.

Answer 12

People fall into hard times. Use the help is u need it.

I lost my job after 3 years and as a divorced mother of 1 I had to swallow my pride and apply for help.

I used it for about 6 months, and by that time my temp job had become a fulltime job and I didnt need help anymore. Been at job  10 yrs now.

Answer 13

you know, if you don't wave them about like a loon no one will give a d**n quite frankly...

Answer 14

Honestly depending on where you live, half the people ar eprobably on WIC.  I am never embarrassed to use my WIC checks, but I have to say I am quite embarrassed to use my EBT card just because people automatically have negative thoughts about who you are.  There really is no way to get over the embarrassment, just be prepared to stand up for yourself if need be.  Also, try finding some WIC stores in your area.  They are stores only for WIC coupons that way there is no embarrassment

Answer 15

Heck yes you should use assistance if you can get it!!!!

You've been working and paying taxes and you shouldn't feel embarrassed.

My husband and I do okay right now without any help, but with baby #2 on the way, we might need the help.  I am not embarrassed at all to ask for help.

If all the illegals (from anywhere in the world) in this country can get the social security, medicaid, wic, housing/welfare and food stamps WITHOUT contributing to the country, we should be able to get a chance at it, as well!

My mom got kicked off of housing a few years ago because there were just simply too many people on it.  She worked full time (she still does) and made enough money to pay the rest of her bills.  She can't do a whole lot (she has fibromyalgia) and so she is very limited to what she can do at a job.

I say if someone is here illegally, they get NO HELP whatsoever.  They need to get a job, PAY TAXES and then maybe down the road get help.

The assistance our states provide should be given to it's citizens FIRST.

Answer 16

I am on WIC and its not that I'm embarressed it the whole process of using WIC Everything is on its own little check.For example I have twins and I qualify for 4 cans of juice instead of putting 4cans on 1check I have 4 seperate checks for 1 can each.It is very time consuming for me, the cashier, and the customers behind me who I warn I'm going to be a long while.So, maybe its not embarresment your feeling its the frustration that comes with it.I thank God evryday for providing me with WIC b/c with twins (premature)on special formula I don't think I would have made it.WIC is nothing to be embarressed of, but maybe they can just improve the system like giving a card like they do for food stamps now.Like you I am a hardworking nurse who fell on hard times, my twins were premature and spent months in NICU so I am unable to work at the moment in order to provide the best care for my children.So don't be embarressed and nevermind what other ppl think.Listen, stuff happens, but your doing something to better yourself and your providing for your family the best you can for right now.Congrats on nursing school.Nursing is the best job I love it.MY b/f always tells me "what ppl say and think about you is none of your business"so never mind these ignorant ppl who should be thanking God that they are ok cause you never no what life has in store for you.Have a nice day and hold your head up high you have nothing to be ashamed of.

Answer 17

just realize that most people don't notice. the ones who do notice are jerks and who really cares what they think.

my aunt is on disability and she uses food stamps.  i pick up things for her on occasion and i am not embarrassed to use the card.  i am sure others think that its mine, but who cares, its none of their business.

Answer 18

No Its ok! The food stamps are just like a debit card but with wic you have vouchers just use it and Its ok more people use than you think!

Answer 19

I wouldn't be embarrassed, you know your reasons wouldn't worry about anyone else!

In the UK we don't get food stamps but get milk tokens for our babies if you are on low income (i got them with my daughter because i was on SMP and didn't even think about what people thought!)

Answer 20

If I have to I would . Thats what they are there for to help you during hard times . Think of the kids and dont worry about what other people think do what you can for now it will get better ;)