WIC vs. Food Stamps

[HaYnSweetie]

I was wondering what the differences are. I know they are different, but one of my friends on facebook status said this:

"So im in 7-11 getting my morning coffee and this chick who is dressed up, talking loudly on her fancy cell phone, buys sodas with a food stamp card, then drives away in a new honda with expensive rims. WTF?? Great job America!"

Now however...yes this kind of stuff does make me angry because they get free food and drive around in nice expensive cars wearing nice clothes! I dont think thats fair. If you can afford to drive a new honda WITH rims then why are you on food stamps? Anywho there was a comment on her status that somewhat bothered me...
it said..."i hate seeing people on WIC/food stamps at the grocery store with designer clothes, fake nails and hair! People pretending to be poor so they can have material things!"

Is WIC in the same category as food stamps? I thought WIC was something that pregnant women and children up to 5 qualified for unless you were super rich? My husband and i both work and we have more than enough money after all our bills are paid to buy what we want...but we had talked about getting WIC.  I didnt think WIC was a "poor" people thing!?

[wannabeamama6]

I'd also like I add that I pay taxes so if it comes down to us needing help I feel I deserve that help. I pay for it after all. And I pay knowing I'm helping drug dealers but I also know I pay helping woman/men with children who have lost jobs and such!

Spiket- our CPS in nebraska is a joke! Ik ppl who don't ever see their children who have younger siblings watch them and care for them and ppl who have had 3+ chances yet still have their kids. While my fiancé had his taken from him bc a person 8 hrs away told CPS he hadn't seen them and he wasn't even given a chance to asure this person. When CPS took his children! And we are just getting things settled a year later!

[ammanda]

Let me use my very own sister for example. she is 22 years old, was with  man that was 25ish.  neither one of them worked, or was looking for a job, they lived with his parents.  then all of the sudden she gets pregnant, has a son.  gets in the system. goventment gets them an apartment, not just an apartment, but a 3 bedroom, 1 and half bathroom, full basement apartment, for 30 bucks a month (use to be 18) cause the government paid for most of it.  got on food stamps got about 2 something a month.  and then a year later got pregnant again.  had a daughter.  started getting 590 a month in food stamps, even paid for them to get a cheap phone line.  AND started getting cash assistance, where she had to do community service for that money.. one day decided she didnt want to do it anymore. so she just quit.  may i remind you neither one of them has jobs or has looked.. her boyfriend gets alil money here and there for helping his dad, but does not put it on there papers, so it dont exists.   my sister got a job at a nursing him, worked for a month, got everything cut, then got herself fired and got it all back..

This is what i hate!!!!

[Destani214]

So what about the current economic condition where so many have been laid off for over a year or so...steadily looking for work? I'm not saying that they have to try to have kids during that time but I mean if they already have kids they should be cut off because they haven't got hired due to the economy? I see so many who are struggling because of the economy right now..they used to have good jobs and ow rely on unemployment to make ends meet! Thank God I got a job or we would have been stuck out because we don't get unemployment due to the severance pay he received but it didnt take me long to get a job but its taken him longer i dunno ladies it seems like some of you are putting many in one box..not every situation is the same...many work hard and provide for their kids the best way they can...I pray none of you fall on hard times where you need those services for YEARS on end

[HeatherLynB]

I have to agree with LAURAB78 you took the words right out of my mouth! I think how you stated it is appropriate as well. I dont think people should preproduce and try to have more kids if they are already on welfare. It just adds to poverty. Why cant you wait until you dont rely so much on foodstamps to feed your family to have another baby? I think foodstamps should ONLY be used in times of need! NOT FOR YEARS ON END!

[vacuumprincess]

Many many people who are in the systen DO have JOBS that they go to work at everyday.  Sometimes the money just isn't enough.  Pregnancy happens.  A child shouldn't go hungry, no matter what.  

I have been in hard times before & gotten help.  My situation has since changed.  I am now married & living comfortably.  My husband & I work hard for what we have.  We also work hard to pay taxes to help less fortunate, the way it should be.

I totally understand that this is how you feel.  You definately have a right to your opinions & a right to state them.  I commend you for standing up to what you believe.  Unfortunately, a lot of people DO abuse the system.  However, if it was taken away, so many deserving people would suffer.

[Spiket77]

I agree with you. BUT, i have seen the system fail kids with drug addict parents. In NC a premature baby with short gut syndrome from their Mother's cocaine use still goes home with that Mother. If she isn't on WIC, medicaid and getting food stamps...guess who suffers the most? I don't know why DSS doesn't get more involved in those cases but they don't. It is different in every state what constitutes removing a child from the home. But, I'm guessing that is why drug testing isn't mandatory yet. It is brought up over and over again but still hasn't become the law. It is not a black and white issue...it's very grey.