Helping the homeless...

[gambler]

I do not give out money or food what i do is give the person a chance to earn a few dollars, most of the down on their luck and homeless is my little area know i will put them to work doing some thing, right now there is a kid i know with a wife weeding my garden, they will get well fed and i will give them 50 or 60 dollars for their efforts. my grass is cut with my mower and gas by an old man every week he just shows up and cut it. the list of task is endless and if they really need the money they will work

[weltschmerz]

can understand how having a dog might be a nice for a homeless person. What I can't understand is why a homeless person wouldn't be more focused on getting out of the rut he's in rather than caring for a dog.
---------------------
Many of our homeless are mentally ill.

[Sum Dum Gai]

seriously?

Yeah, but usually just younger people. I've never picked up anybody that made me feel at all unsafe, and I've had some pretty good conversations while driving into work that way. They're usually college kids, or college aged kids, wanting to bum up and down the coast. I used to commute along Highway 1, which runs right along the coast, in between Santa Cruz and Monterey. Lots of granola hippy kind of kids, most of whom had fairly affluent parents. They're like slumming it for the summer during school break I guess.

I'm not stopping for no middle aged crazy looking dudes.

[Tired Tess]

I pick up people and give rides. One day, it had to be over 95 degrees and I saw an old lady in a black dress with a grocery bag walking thru the parking lot onto the sidewalk. I almost passed out thinking of how hot she must be feeling. I pulled up beside her and gave her a ride home. Never saw her again.

Another time a few girls in Hotel cleaning uniforms were walking to work. It was raining and I stopped and asked them if they wanted a ride to work. Their English was awful, but they understood me and I dropped them off at the hotel.

I keep these stories to myself. I don't want my kids doing this. And DH would be worry.

[Steady As She Goes]

My wife and I along with another friend of ours just fed 70 or 80 or at an Alpha Project facility. The smiles and "thank you's" and "God bless you's" were quite overwhelming. We must have been there for a few hours. What a great experience.

[zibazinski]

That reminds me of the vans that would drop kids off to sell you crap and basically they seemed scared if they didn't sell anything.

[TheOtherMe]

Apr 28, 2012 13:16:51 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

can understand how having a dog might be a nice for a homeless person. What I can't understand is why a homeless person wouldn't be more focused on getting out of the rut he's in rather than caring for a dog.
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Many of our homeless are mentally ill.

More of the homeless are mentally ill than we would like to believe. With the cuts in social programs, they are not able or are unwilling to receive help with their illness.

[Green Eyed Lady]

I've driven by someone who had a sign about food. He looked half starved to death. I was on my way to McDonalds to get my own lunch so I just doubled my order and took one bag back to him. It may have been a scam but the guy looked truly grateful and had tears in his eyes. If it was a scam? Oh well. I'm out about seven bucks. No way I could have done differently.

[findingdeadbeats]

Yes, it is nearly impossible for someone without kids to get medicaid, food stamps or any form of welfare. Welfare payments are now actually called "Temporary Assistance for Families" with an emphasis on "families."

I know in my situation, as soon as DS2 graduates HS, and maybe when he turns 18 this summer, we will all get kicked off of MediCal and FS. We will no longer have a "qualifying child" in the house. As a widowed 43 year old, I qualify for nothing, even with no income, until SS at age 60. That's just how it works. And, it is part of the reason people my age who can't find jobs go back to school and live on student aid and loans.

In my county, unemployment is currently over 20%, so the "work requirement" has been waived for the past few years to allow people access to assistance.

from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporary_Assistance_for_Needy_Families#Funding_and_eligibility

PRWORA replaced AFDC with TANF and ended entitlement to cash assistance for low-income families, meaning that eligible families may be denied aid even if they are eligible. Under TANF, states have broad discretion to determine who is eligible for benefits and services. In general states must use funds to serve families with children, with the only exceptions related to efforts to reduce non-marital childbearing and promote marriage. States cannot use TANF funds to assist most legal immigrants until they have been in the country for at least 5 years. TANF sets forth the following work requirements in order to qualify for benefits [16]:

1. Recipients (with few exceptions) must work as soon as they are job ready or no later than two years after coming on assistance.
2. Single parents are required to participate in work activities for at least 30 hours per week. Two-parent families must participate in work activities 35 or 55 hours a week, depending upon circumstances.
3. Failure to participate in work requirements can result in a reduction or termination of benefits to the family.
4. States, in fiscal year 2004, have to ensure that 50 percent of all families and 90 percent of two-parent families are participating in work activities. If a state meets these goals without restricting eligibility, it can receive a caseload reduction credit. This credit reduces the minimum participation rates the state must achieve to continue receiving federal funding.

While states are given more flexibility in the design and implementation of public assistance, they must do so within various provisions of the law: [17]

1. provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives;
2. end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage;
3. prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies; and
4. encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

[mmhmm]

Apr 29, 2012 9:41:19 GMT -5 Nazgul Girl said:

We used to get those kids too, all alone or in pairs, selling window spray or candy for a " youth center". I used to offer them a drink of water or juice, and ask them if they ever got to use the "rec center." The answer was always " no." They were usuall yhot and thirsty. Our city finally banned them after a lot of complaints. They were inner-city kids, poor, being taken advantage of, and God knows what happened to some of them. It was awful. I would ask when they would get picked up, and they would tell me "the van comes at 3:00 o'clock on the corner", or something similar.

Did you ever call the police to check on this? If so, what was their response? I've never run into this, and it really makes me sick to think of anyone using children in this manner.

[mmhmm]

Apr 29, 2012 10:52:40 GMT -5 @findingdeadbeats said:

Yes, it is nearly impossible for someone without kids to get medicaid, food stamps or any form of welfare. Welfare payments are now actually called "Temporary Assistance for Families" with an emphasis on "families."

I know in my situation, as soon as DS2 graduates HS, and maybe when he turns 18 this summer, we will all get kicked off of MediCal and FS. We will no longer have a "qualifying child" in the house. As a widowed 43 year old, I qualify for nothing, even with no income, until SS at age 60. That's just how it works. And, it is part of the reason people my age who can't find jobs go back to school and live on student aid and loans.

In my county, unemployment is currently over 20%, so the "work requirement" has been waived for the past few years to allow people access to assistance.

from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporary_Assistance_for_Needy_Families#Funding_and_eligibility

PRWORA replaced AFDC with TANF and ended entitlement to cash assistance for low-income families, meaning that eligible families may be denied aid even if they are eligible. Under TANF, states have broad discretion to determine who is eligible for benefits and services. In general states must use funds to serve families with children, with the only exceptions related to efforts to reduce non-marital childbearing and promote marriage. States cannot use TANF funds to assist most legal immigrants until they have been in the country for at least 5 years. TANF sets forth the following work requirements in order to qualify for benefits [16]:

1. Recipients (with few exceptions) must work as soon as they are job ready or no later than two years after coming on assistance.
2. Single parents are required to participate in work activities for at least 30 hours per week. Two-parent families must participate in work activities 35 or 55 hours a week, depending upon circumstances.
3. Failure to participate in work requirements can result in a reduction or termination of benefits to the family.
4. States, in fiscal year 2004, have to ensure that 50 percent of all families and 90 percent of two-parent families are participating in work activities. If a state meets these goals without restricting eligibility, it can receive a caseload reduction credit. This credit reduces the minimum participation rates the state must achieve to continue receiving federal funding.

While states are given more flexibility in the design and implementation of public assistance, they must do so within various provisions of the law: [17]

1. provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives;
2. end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage;
3. prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and establish annual numerical goals for preventing and reducing the incidence of these pregnancies; and
4. encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

Good grief, hon! What are you going to do?

[mmhmm]

Apr 29, 2012 10:24:43 GMT -5 Green Eyed Lady said:

I've driven by someone who had a sign about food. He looked half starved to death. I was on my way to McDonalds to get my own lunch so I just doubled my order and took one bag back to him. It may have been a scam but the guy looked truly grateful and had tears in his eyes. If it was a scam? Oh well. I'm out about seven bucks. No way I could have done differently.

I've done the same, GEL. What's the worst that could happen? Somebody gets a sandwich and something to drink? Somehow, that doesn't bother me much.

[Green Eyed Lady]

Well? I could have helped harden his arteries. Something other than Micky D's would have been healthier but that's where I was headed!

[findingdeadbeats]

mmhmm - not sure if you are being sarcastic or actually asking?

My personal plan is to continue with school for the next year and keep looking for a job with benefits while I still have SS income for DS. If I can't find a job with benefits, then I work without health insurance and like millions of other Americans, hope nothing happens to my health or that if something does that it kills me quickly and as inexpensively as possible.

Preexisting condition health insurance in this state is more money than I can gross at a local job. Buying it on my own isn't even an option.

At some point, when DS is done with school here and my other son is out on his own, then I may look at moving elsewhere for work.

[mmhmm]

I'm rarely sarcastic, Skipping. It's not in my nature. I'd have to work at it.

I'm serious! It sounds like you're in a heck of a difficult position. It's good you're going to school to better your chances of reasonable employment, but if unemployment is at 20%, you might have to move to find it. I really hate to hear of things like this.

[mmhmm]

Apr 29, 2012 11:01:40 GMT -5 Green Eyed Lady said:

Well? I could have helped harden his arteries. Something other than Micky D's would have been healthier but that's where I was headed!

I was on my way to McDonalds, as well, GEL. Mother loves their angus burger deluxe, so I just bought an extra sandwich and fries, and an extra drink. Cost me very little and the reaction I got from the hungry fellow was very similar to that which you got. I was glad to be able to help. Good fortune should be shared, IMO.

[findingdeadbeats]

Apr 29, 2012 11:09:40 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

I'm rarely sarcastic, Skipping. It's not in my nature. I'd have to work at it.

I'm serious! It sounds like you're in a heck of a difficult position. It's good you're going to school to better your chances of reasonable employment, but if unemployment is at 20%, you might have to move to find it. I really hate to hear of things like this.

The good thing is that I don't have a mortgage. The bad thing is that I don't have a mortgage. Moving sounds like a horrible option since I will have to pay for housing somewhere else, plus have to pay all of the costs of moving, etc... Not to mention that I live where I want to retire. I detest the idea of moving simply for access to health care....

But, staying here without health insurance and a lower paying job doesn't sound great either... So, I keep looking for something with access to health care in the mean time and keep plugging along.

I did some reading on this topic this morning and it looks like DS1 gets kicked off of MediCal this summer when he turns 20. Him finding a job with benefits will be next to impossible, but that needs to be added to his necessity list when looking for a potential employer.

[mmhmm]

Apr 29, 2012 11:29:31 GMT -5 @findingdeadbeats said:

Apr 29, 2012 11:09:40 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

I'm rarely sarcastic, Skipping. It's not in my nature. I'd have to work at it.

I'm serious! It sounds like you're in a heck of a difficult position. It's good you're going to school to better your chances of reasonable employment, but if unemployment is at 20%, you might have to move to find it. I really hate to hear of things like this.

The good thing is that I don't have a mortgage. The bad thing is that I don't have a mortgage. Moving sounds like a horrible option since I will have to pay for housing somewhere else, plus have to pay all of the costs of moving, etc... Not to mention that I live where I want to retire. I detest the idea of moving simply for access to health care....

But, staying here without health insurance and a lower paying job doesn't sound great either... So, I keep looking for something with access to health care in the mean time and keep plugging along.

I did some reading on this topic this morning and it looks like DS1 gets kicked off of MediCal this summer when he turns 20. Him finding a job with benefits will be next to impossible, but that needs to be added to his necessity list when looking for a potential employer.

I'm really sorry your family is faced with this situation. Like so many who, through no fault of their own, are in distressing conditions at this time, you're faced with some really complicated decisions. I sure hope DS1 can find something with benefits so he'll be protected. Please, keep us informed and kudos to you for handling this nightmare with more than a little grace!

[mmhmm]

Apr 29, 2012 12:24:43 GMT -5 Nazgul Girl said:

"We used to get those kids too, all alone or in pairs, selling window spray or candy for a " youth center". I used to offer them a drink of water or juice, and ask them if they ever got to use the "rec center." The answer was always " no." They were usuall yhot and thirsty. Our city finally banned them after a lot of complaints. They were inner-city kids, poor, being taken advantage of, and God knows what happened to some of them. It was awful. I would ask when they would get picked up, and they would tell me "the van comes at 3:00 o'clock on the corner", or something similar.

Did you ever call the police to check on this? If so, what was their response? I've never run into this, and it really makes me sick to think of anyone using children in this manner. "

Yes, I called the police in the two towns where I fresided at the time, and was told that it was legal ( I gave the name of the rip-off organization that the kids were shilling for ). But, both cities passed ordinences against this type of selling by minors ( exempting residents' kids raising money for their school activities, scouts, or sports teams. The door-to-door fundraising kids were being transported by van in from the big city 25-30 miles away, and left to work the streets with no adult supersion except for 4-5 hour check-in times. Locals were outraged.

I can imagine they were outraged! I'm outraged just reading about it! Good for the local communities for seeing the problem and passing ordinances to stop this horror. One really has to wonder about anyone who'd use children in such a dastardly manner.

[findingdeadbeats]

When I worked for the hospital in the Bay Area, we had a "homeless car wash" that went from one gas station lot to another near the medical center and the "homeless" would wash your car for a donation.

The local news did a story on it and how the average person washing cars earned over $20 an hour tax-free by washing cars. Their business was making all this money and everyone involved was taking home nice tax-free income due to the "donations" people voluntarily made to help them out.

I believe they were looking at them for tax evasion. Which, I actually agree with. Want to work washing cars everyday and start a business? Great. But, at least pay your taxes like those who are "donating" to you are doing...