Comments on: 2009 Stimulus – Education and Other Benefits

By: shanny

shanny — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 04:19:52 +0000

I’m on food stamps and that previous poster about what they learned in class, obviously hasn’t been introduced to the real world yet. Anyways, we made over $100,000 last year, my husband and I both lost our jobs, manufacturing in Detroit (we also have college degrees). I had the 6 month emergency fund, we lived modestly, but do have two cars and a nice small 900 sq ft house. Well my savings is depleated and now I’m working on our 401, but I’m just delaying the inevitable. We are also 31 with two children. I’m the only one receiving unemployment and that is our only income. Anyways, other than the two months I’ve worked this year, I have yet to pay any income taxes and am freaking out about when I have to file. I think that what people are missing is that the people on welfare now, are the people that truely need it and what the system was truely set up for. However, I was denied mulitple times for food stamps and was asked directly to my face why I needed help but the 18 year old minority sitting next to me with three kids who missed her manditory class three times was getting her cash benifits restored with no questions asked and a new appointment date set up for her class that I’m sure she’ll miss. I was not asking for cash, however I’m sure I’ll be doing that soon. I finally got the food stamps and I get a little over $300 a month, which for a family of four, it does not last long enough. And to that social idiot mentioned earlier, junk food is really all you can afford. So meatloaf and pasta are our daily staples oh and cereal, getting vegtables and fruit is a once a month thing. Now I’m someone who does not eat store brand food, now thats all I buy. I’m getting away from my point, but what it is is that what is being done to stimulate the economy really isn’t working, and those of us who are in dire need, hate going to the welfare office, but as a wake up call, go to one and look who’s there. You will be really suprised to see that it is people like you and me.

By: Paula Sizemore

Paula Sizemore — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 13:20:01 +0000

Did your sociology class tell you that people need to be re-educated and socialized away from the poverty mentality? Also, are you aware that in some states enrolling in a college means loosing or greatly reducing your benefits?
Also are you aware of the fact that the “junk” foods you spoke of are actually cheaper in poorer areas, and that healthy foods cost much much more than cheap, high sodium, high chemical/preservative foods that over a child (or adult’s) consumption of them, impact with dietary related diseases such as diabetes, juvenile obesity, hypercholesteralemia?

I agree with your five year plan – however the plan should be to give full support to mothers, fathers and those on state/gov aid that will allow them to go to college, bolsters skills, and attain a viable degree or certification that will facilitate them “getting off welfare asap”

Opinions are all good – however, dig deeper and fact find about the “truth” of government subsistance living.

If our states offered ‘living wages’ rather than minimum wages, more people would not have to seek state aid.

If our states offered medical benefits to cover those employees with benefitless jobs, more people would not fall into debt.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sat, 02 May 2009 19:08:47 +0000

Julie: The personal tax breaks for the 2009 economic stimulus plan are laid out in this article: 2009 Economic Stimulus Personal Tax Breaks. Some people will be eligible to receive a one time $250 check. I cannot tell you if you will be eligible for that or not because I am not familiar enough with the requirements or your situation. I recommend you contact the IRS for more information.

By: julie pal

julie pal — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:32:30 +0000

I wanna know if any one recieving a welfare check or a disability check , how much tax check they’ll recieve.??

By: listen up

listen up — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:16:02 +0000

you’re always upset about the poor people getting something,so they buy a little junk food.the people we put in office are spending our money like it’s no end to it,they travel,throw parties pay hookers and anything they think of.yet you are worried that some poor slob is getting something they don’t deserve,they pay taxes in all kinds of ways also.the foodstamps at least will help farmers,wholesalers,distributors and stores.they won’t throw the money in the bank where the bankers won’t lend it, at least it will get back into the economy.we should hope that the people get more of our money,knowing we the people can spend our money better than anyone else.our senators and representives and congressmen are getting rich off of us with their lifetime pay after office and their pay while in office,not even counting the gifts and deal making.but here you are worried about the little guy getting a steak or shrimp lol .let them get what ever they can,the government isn’t going to give that much,poor people are bailing out the rich.

By: LDHolmes

LDHolmes — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 03:29:53 +0000

I’m not sure how the unemployed and truly needy are being helped by the stimulus package when only the employed will be getting help from it this year. Many people with disabilities have been struggling to become gainfully employed in the past year, no longer qualify for unemployment benefits, and they are being excluded from the package. Some are in school in the attempt to become more employable in an economy that is steadily laying people off, and they too could use some help at a time like this. But no, those who had an income last year are the ones to benefit, not those living at poverty levels or slightly above who were without an income all year. So Obama is helping those who already have money. It makes little sense!

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 02:21:46 +0000

Beverly: I didn’t hear anything about tattoo removal, but anytime there is a major piece of legislation all kinds of pet projects and seemingly unnecessary bills get added. We have a huge problem with pork barreling in our political system. The 2009 economic stimulus package is no exception.

By: Beverly

Beverly — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 23:29:03 +0000

I just wish someone could explain how money for tattoo removal could have gotten into the stimulus package, and why it didn’t get removed.

By: Sam

Sam — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:49:03 +0000

Your last sentence sums up the plan. It has nothing to do with economic stimulus but was intended to help the lower income individuals, which is fine if that is what they wanted to do. To call it an economic stimulus plan is a joke. There is nothing in the plan to provide incentive for businesses to spend money. Private business spending is the only type of spending that can truly stimulate the economy. Government spending will not produce the revenue needed for the federal and state budgets for the next year. The plan fails tor recognize the large deficit in all governments it has created in the very near future. As americans, we deserve to be told the truth from our politicians. We have been mislead by yet another presidential administration.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:17:20 +0000

FrugalCPA: To be honest, I don’t know. I read this when the bill was announced last weekend. I haven’t read any updates (I’ve been in bed sick all week and am playing catch up right now).