Food stamp land

[Stitch]

I'm wondering who is on food stamps around here. I admit I'm on them as I have a wife and kids to support.

Just seeing if it is common in the industry or not for reporters at smaller papers to go on them.

 

[Rhody31]

I've thought about it. I'm definitely available, but I don't feel I should because my girlfriend - who I live with - makes a good deal of money. We don't split things up the middle, but I do give her weekly payments that are what i can afford and help with bills, rent, etc.
If I was living alone, it might be a different story. I feel that taking something I don't really need because of my gf's situation would be wrong.
Stitch, in your situation, I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[TwoGloves]

Get back to me in a year or two when another round of buyouts come. (Or when our paper closes.)

 

[Flash]

A cub reporter at one of my former stops qualifies for provincial rent subsidies and visits to the food bank.

Revolting.

 

[Some Guy]

This thread depresses me. I've never been on food stamps. I've never even been close.

I can't believe there are places where you can't even buy food on our salaries.

And, yes, I guess I really am that naive.

 

[JayFarrar]

Friend of a mine, a former TV reporter, found out that he qualified for food stamps when he was working in TV land.
Couple of other guys at his station also qualified and when the management found out, they didn't give them a raise, but they did tell them all that if they found out they had applied for them, they would be fired on the spot.
I know of at least one print shop that keeps pay low on purpose so people can qualify for government assistance. Not food stamps, I don't think, but housing.

 

[mustangj17]

If I stayed at my old gig, I would have been on them by now.

 

[sportschick]

I qualified for housing assistance at my last job.

 

[mike311gd]

Friend of a mine, a former TV reporter, found out that he qualified for food stamps when he was working in TV land.
Couple of other guys at his station also qualified and when the management found out, they didn't give them a raise, but they did tell them all that if they found out they had applied for them, they would be fired on the spot.

Because of the image, I take it?

 

[slappy4428]

Friend of a mine, a former TV reporter, found out that he qualified for food stamps when he was working in TV land.
Couple of other guys at his station also qualified and when the management found out, they didn't give them a raise, but they did tell them all that if they found out they had applied for them, they would be fired on the spot.
I know of at least one print shop that keeps pay low on purpose so people can qualify for government assistance. Not food stamps, I don't think, but housing.

We can't pay you a living wage, but if you try to make ends meet, we'll fire you.
Lovely.

 

[JakeandElwood]

Friend of a mine, a former TV reporter, found out that he qualified for food stamps when he was working in TV land.
Couple of other guys at his station also qualified and when the management found out, they didn't give them a raise, but they did tell them all that if they found out they had applied for them, they would be fired on the spot.
I know of at least one print shop that keeps pay low on purpose so people can qualify for government assistance. Not food stamps, I don't think, but housing.

We can't pay you a living wage, but if you try to make ends meet, we'll fire you.
Lovely.

Now that's the type of organization you want to work for.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Friend of a mine, a former TV reporter, found out that he qualified for food stamps when he was working in TV land.
Couple of other guys at his station also qualified and when the management found out, they didn't give them a raise, but they did tell them all that if they found out they had applied for them, they would be fired on the spot.

All three of us living in that house qualified for food stamps or were close. I kept telling him to go for it, if only for the potential lawsuit.

Edit: My wife saw the thread over my shoulder and said "If y'all could have used food stamps to buy beer, every one of you would have signed up." She's right.

 

[TrooperBari]

I was right on the border of being eligible for food stamps during my first gig. Not sure if I would've taken them, but I managed to make do by going two years with rabbit ears TV and no Internet access at home.

 

[deskslave]

Friend of a mine, a former TV reporter, found out that he qualified for food stamps when he was working in TV land.
Couple of other guys at his station also qualified and when the management found out, they didn't give them a raise, but they did tell them all that if they found out they had applied for them, they would be fired on the spot.

Good Lord. That's so illegal it's mind-boggling. But the period of time it would take to file a grievance, etc., would doubtless be enough for those guys to end up on the street.

 

[Pantalón del Fuego]

I was on them my first 2 1/2 years as a journalist. When I became an editor I made enough not to be on them.

Was on them all my life as a child, and how ****ing humiliating, especially when you live in a small town. At least now there is a little shred of dignity because you swipe a card instead of fumble around with multi-colored booklets while everyone waits.

 

[Rhody31]

Can someone explain how the system works. I've always been curious.

 

[Write-brained]

Wow.

This is an eye-opening thread. Someone needs to do a story.

 

[Some Guy]

Wow.

This is an eye-opening thread. Someone needs to do a story.

I'll do it ... for extra food stamps.

 

[goplayintramurals]

Wow.

This is an eye-opening thread. Someone needs to do a story.

I'll do it ... for extra food stamps.

NICE.

This whole thread comes as a bit of a shock to me as well. During my short career I've always been lucky enough (I suppose) to make a barely liveable wage and have a wife-to-be that pulls in enough to keep us in a comfortable situation.

I enjoy my job, I really do. But it depresses the **** out of me that I busted my ass for four years in college just to graduate and be in the position where I can't afford to do more for the people I love. Now that I think about it, if I had kids I'd probably be in the same boat.

(Edit: I'm too stupid to work the quote function)

 

[mustangj17]

In Detroit, people use their bridge cards (new food stamps) at stores to get cash. They will swipe their card for 100 bucks, the owner will give them 50 in cash and pocket the difference. Although, its Detroit it shouldn't surprise you. Also, my girlfriend in college tried to get on food stamps even though her college was paid for by her parents, she had her rent paid for by her parents, and her cell phone bill, had a car paid for by her parents with car insurance that she shared with her sister, and she had a part time job.

Anyway, it sucks that people misuse them. And it sucks that someone like stitch, who works in a very rewarding profession has to be on them.