4 ms·

Food stamps and WIC are welfare. What exactly do you think welfare is?

by tedivm 9y ago

Spooky23 9y ago
Usually temporary assistance, which is when you get cash is considered welfare. Most people who understand this stuff don’t consider safety net programs like food stamps or WIC that way. The difference is that the Food stamps/WIC allow you to work, and most people on them do. “Welfare” requires you to not work in order to get a benefit. The most vociferous disgust regarding people on welfare usually comes from people who you would consider to be on “welfare”.
- tedivm 9y ago
  That is a pretty ridiculous definition, and isn't even self consistent. With the exception of disability insurance and unemployment the majority of welfare programs (including where people just get direct cash) are income based (meaning people are allowed to work, but if their income rises above certain levels they lose some of the benefits). Food stamps are exactly the same, as is the reduced price lunches mentioned. If his parents made more money they would lose access to those welfare benefits.
  - Spooky23 9y ago
    Perception is reality. When the average redneck is barking about “welfare queens”, he’s not talking about food stamps, WIC, Medicaid or SSDI. Half his family is enrolled in one or more. The difference with something like food stamps is that a “normal” working class two parent household can get some benefit. It doesn’t make a lot of sense, but that is what many if not most people believe when you actually ask them. When well to do people hide their assets in trusts so they can collect Medicaid when they get old, they don’t consider that welfare either.
- mberning 9y ago
  Yes. This exactly. We never received currency which is what most poor people understand to be “welfare”. In fact there is a bit of a hierarchy to these things and in school it was definitely way worse to be on “welfare” than food stamps. God forbid the kids at school found out you were getting welfare. You would be hounded about it. Food stamps not so much. Kids are savage to each other.
  - tedivm 9y ago
    Okay, but you're not a child anymore. You should understand that you did in fact receive welfare.

Food stamps and WIC are welfare. What exactly do you think welfare is?

by tedivm 9y ago

Food stamps and WIC are welfare. What exactly do you think welfare is?

Usually temporary assistance, which is when you get cash is considered welfare. Most people who understand this stuff don’t consider safety net programs like food stamps or WIC that way. The difference is that the Food stamps/WIC allow you to work, and most people on them do. “Welfare” requires you to not work in order to get a benefit. The most vociferous disgust regarding people on welfare usually comes from people who you would consider to be on “welfare”.

tedivm 9y ago
That is a pretty ridiculous definition, and isn't even self consistent. With the exception of disability insurance and unemployment the majority of welfare programs (including where people just get direct cash) are income based (meaning people are allowed to work, but if their income rises above certain levels they lose some of the benefits). Food stamps are exactly the same, as is the reduced price lunches mentioned. If his parents made more money they would lose access to those welfare benefits.
- Spooky23 9y ago
  Perception is reality. When the average redneck is barking about “welfare queens”, he’s not talking about food stamps, WIC, Medicaid or SSDI. Half his family is enrolled in one or more. The difference with something like food stamps is that a “normal” working class two parent household can get some benefit. It doesn’t make a lot of sense, but that is what many if not most people believe when you actually ask them. When well to do people hide their assets in trusts so they can collect Medicaid when they get old, they don’t consider that welfare either.
mberning 9y ago
Yes. This exactly. We never received currency which is what most poor people understand to be “welfare”. In fact there is a bit of a hierarchy to these things and in school it was definitely way worse to be on “welfare” than food stamps. God forbid the kids at school found out you were getting welfare. You would be hounded about it. Food stamps not so much. Kids are savage to each other.
- tedivm 9y ago
  Okay, but you're not a child anymore. You should understand that you did in fact receive welfare.