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Food stamps are easier to qualify than TANF.
Medicaid seems to be easier to qualify than TANF.
TANF is easier to get than housing.
Housing is difficult to obtain, but is easier to get than Section 8.
Somewhere in all this, you may qualify for heating, water or electric assistance.
As stated in the other posts, TANF and food stamp funds are placed on an EBT card. You use it just like a debit card. There is a toll free number you can call to find out how much money/food stamp funds are on the card, or you can go to an approved machine to find out or withdraw TANF. When you shop, you use the EBT at nearly any grocery store just like a debit card.
If you are granted housing, that may be in a shelter or even in a hotel. You have to continuously prove you are looking for your own housing, your job and monetary status. Your state will give you money toward the permanent housing you may find, but the amount is so paultry, you will never find anything. Usually, if you are granted housing, you must go to your social services offices weekly to get the check to pay for your housing - that includes the shelters. Of course this is dependent upon the state in which you live.
Section 8 is very hard to get because there is a long list of people waiting, and only so many vouchers are granted at various times, if at all. Bush* has made major reductions across the country for housing. Someone on a list can get bumped if someone has a greater need than you. They have something called a 'Reunification' program - for families where the children are in danger of being seperated from their parents or for those who are disabled and have no place else to go.
For any benefit, you have to prove the need. You can't lie. They have computer access to the DMV and the banks, etc. They want to know about insurance policies, pensions, etc. If you may happen to have a lawsuit pending, you have to tell them, they will put a lein on any monies you get - they want to get repaid.
If your child has an absent parent that does not pay child support, you must follow through with your state's court system to find the parent.
If you are a healthy individual, you must find work. You have to prove you are looking for work. You also must prove that you are looking for affordable housing.
If you are physically unable to work, you must prove it. They may send you to their own physician.
The amount of benefits is dependent upon your family size, assets, whether you have an income or what your current income is. You have to report any changes in your life. You can be married, single, male, female or have a family.
With Section 8, you pay 30% (sometimes, but rarely 40%) of your net income, the rest is paid by the government. You must follow all their rules or risk losing the benefit. To qualify, they will perform a background and criminal check. If you receive a Section 8 voucher you are given a limited amount of time (I think 90 days) to find a landlord that will accept their vouchers. That landlord has to fill out paperwork and the property will be inspected before they allow you to move in. Once you move in, you are responsible to pay your portion directly to the landlord, the balance is paid by the government - on time, without fail.
You would most likely qualify for a utility allowance. It would automatically be sent to the power or gas company, or to you to send in to the respective companies.
Once you begin to receive any benefit, you must report any or all changes - job, all monies, household size, etc, usually within 10 days of the changes. You are re-certified once a year, in some instances every 6 months.
If you are requesting housing or Section 8, you must explain where you are currently living, and why you can no longer live there. If you are out living in the street, you must explain why you are no longer living in a home. If you were or are living with someone and can no longer live there, you must present a letter from that person stating why you no longer can live there. If you do not present a letter, they will phone that person, and may send an investigator out.
I believe the law now reads that you can collect up to 60 months of TANF in your lifetime - if you are physically able to work, that is. There are mandatory meetings you must attend, or they will sanction a benefit, usually TANF. You have to follow everything they tell you to do. If you do not then they sanction you. I already explained if you are physically unable to work. They will provide TANF until you qualify for Social Security benefits. If Social Security deems you fit to work, then you have to find work. Social Security is not always fair, either, as there are those who should qualify but the judge says differently.
If you are under any of these programs, you will have no secrets. They are very intrusive. As awful as it is, it's for a reason. People using these benefits qualify for them and there is no shame and it is not a free ride or a free handout, as the Republicans like to say. We all work hard to live a quality life, but sometimes we need help.
Sadly, the jerk in the White House and his friends are changing how all this works, and the money needed to fund these services.
Our country is seeing more and more families in need for these services. It is heartbreaking. The churches and charities who traditionally help with clothing, food and school supplies are having a very difficult time. There are more people in need, and they are seeing less in donations, both monetarily and otherwise. If anyone that is working, please take the time to donate. If anything, think of all the children who go without. Bring a smile to their face, if you can - THAT alone will bring a smile to their parent's heart. Even donate to your local schools, who are teaching more and more homeless children - provide paper, notebooks, pencils, pens, crayons, bookbags, so on and so forth. Our school district does this, they also have a collection of jeans, sweaters, winter coats and other clothes so the kids have something nice to wear to school. It does make a difference.
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