Four Letter Word
Alright...The post today is about government assistance. Before we delve into this topic in terms of process, let me first begin with my experience and thoughts. We had government assistance in Idaho for four months after Ozzy was born. It was brief, but live changing. I was able to stop working to watch my son, while Nathan finished his last few months of his Bachelor's degree. I remember crying when I found out we would have $150 a month for food. Forward three years later and we are in Lexington, Ky, attending Law School, living off of student loans, ready to open that old wound that is government assistance.
At times we have struggled with the concept of being categorized within the spectrum of those who need assistance offered by our government. There are wonderful people who need government assistance, but there are also those who abuse it's purpose. I felt guilty, as though I was abusing a program left for others who "really" needed it. For those of you who may struggle with this concept like I did, let me make this clear, you and your family are the people who really need government assistance. Your tax paying parents and friends want their dollars to go to supporting you and your family in this time of need. Stop feeling guilty about it. Accept that you are in need and be grateful that our government still has this option for you and your family.
Ok, so...I wish the emotional stress of it all was the hardest part, but the hardest part about assistance is actually getting it. I have spent so many hours in a windowless room with other needy families and individuals, waiting for my name to be called so I can spend a few more hours going over my case with my caseworker; babies in tow and no end in sight. Let me TRY to help make this process run a little smoother for you.
So each state has it's own website for assistance. You will have to google that information and find your state's program. Kentucky's programs fall under Benefind. The Benefind website is where you apply for government assisted insurance, SNAP (food stamps), income assistance, rent assistance, unemployment etc... We only applied for SNAP and Insurance, which we were granted. Eventually. You are welcome to apply for any program, but there is never a guarantee of qualifying.
First, you'll need to make a profile for you and your family requesting the paperwork you need for your applications. *MY ADVICE: You will be tempted to fill this all out online (like I was, and many others I know), but you will find that printing it off, reading every sentence three times, and turning in the completed paperwork in person to the office, is the most time effective solution. It won't feel that way. You will wait in long lines or sit in your case worker's office for an hour or more, but I promise you that talking to your case worker in person will save you so much time and avoid a lot of confusion. The wait will be worth it.
*MY ADVICE: I didn't do this but I should have. If you can go without kids, do it. The sweet caseworkers in Lexington have toys in their office and they know that having the kids around is just how it is for most families applying, but it's so much less work and stress for you to be able to just have to take care of one task at a time and not worry about your babies being entertained or making a mess while you're there. If you do have to bring the kiddos, make sure you have snacks, activities and potentially some music with headphones or a video option - it will take a while.
I filled out my first round of insurance forms online as soon as we moved because my youngest needed to get his vaccinations. I waited two months to hear if we qualified, only to find we were denied benefits. I was so confused. We were definitely qualified according to their qualification checklist on their website. I felt deflated, and honestly did not even attempt a second time because I was out of steam. I then received a letter in the mail a month later (waiting three months in total) explaining that we had insurance and did as of August (when I first applied). WHAT THE HECK? I didn't question it. I took the insurance cards and made the doctor appointments, but if I had just gone into the office I would have saved a lot of time, stress, and kept my babies appointments on track. It wasn't the end of the world, but it felt like a lot of work to find out it "didn't work", only to find out that it actually did? So, just trust me and go wait in the building where you can ask any question under the sun to a human being, and get all of the answers you need.
Each state's income requirements and allotment for benefits vary. The larger the family, the more money for SNAP you will receive. My case worker gave me a little tip that I am going to pass on to you. If you have two children, make sure you put yourself as a caretaker for one child, and your partner as a caretaker for your other child. This will keep your studying spouse from needing to apply for jobs or work, while they receive benefits. This may sound like cheating, but it's not. You both need the assistance. If your partner will not be able to work while they are in school like mine, this little tip is pure gold. Thank you, caseworker.
Also, if you are a rookie to ways of SNAP and how modern it is, this next paragraph is for you. Your benefits are available on a card - like a debit card. When you go to your grocery store, you swipe your card, select EBT, and whatever isn't food (prepared food is not covered by SNAP - like the deli salads etc.) will come up as a separate amount. You then use your personal card to pay for the remaining balance, and that's it. It's so simple. Getting SNAP is a bear, but using SNAP could not be easier. Also, you can use your card if you are traveling out of state - just fyi. Every six months will have to follow up with your caseworker to make sure no unreported changes have occurred.
When it comes to insurance, apply in person and ask for a list of all of the updated locations for any medical needs you have (dentist, optometrist, pediatrician etc...) from your caseworker. I have looked up many buildings, driven all over town only to find the office has moved, or closed, or didn't actually accept the government insurance I was given. Your caseworker will have the most up to date information.
This can be a frustrating process and an emotionally irritating state to be in, but it's worth it. I have a balance I use for groceries and insurance I use to keep the health of myself and my family in check. I have a decreased amount of stress about finances, and an increased amount of stability in this student loan debt consuming time. Meditate, pray, vent, do whatever you need to do to feel ok with this step and embrace the assistance for what it is - get started, be ok with it, and appreciate it.
At times we have struggled with the concept of being categorized within the spectrum of those who need assistance offered by our government. There are wonderful people who need government assistance, but there are also those who abuse it's purpose. I felt guilty, as though I was abusing a program left for others who "really" needed it. For those of you who may struggle with this concept like I did, let me make this clear, you and your family are the people who really need government assistance. Your tax paying parents and friends want their dollars to go to supporting you and your family in this time of need. Stop feeling guilty about it. Accept that you are in need and be grateful that our government still has this option for you and your family.
Ok, so...I wish the emotional stress of it all was the hardest part, but the hardest part about assistance is actually getting it. I have spent so many hours in a windowless room with other needy families and individuals, waiting for my name to be called so I can spend a few more hours going over my case with my caseworker; babies in tow and no end in sight. Let me TRY to help make this process run a little smoother for you.
So each state has it's own website for assistance. You will have to google that information and find your state's program. Kentucky's programs fall under Benefind. The Benefind website is where you apply for government assisted insurance, SNAP (food stamps), income assistance, rent assistance, unemployment etc... We only applied for SNAP and Insurance, which we were granted. Eventually. You are welcome to apply for any program, but there is never a guarantee of qualifying.
First, you'll need to make a profile for you and your family requesting the paperwork you need for your applications. *MY ADVICE: You will be tempted to fill this all out online (like I was, and many others I know), but you will find that printing it off, reading every sentence three times, and turning in the completed paperwork in person to the office, is the most time effective solution. It won't feel that way. You will wait in long lines or sit in your case worker's office for an hour or more, but I promise you that talking to your case worker in person will save you so much time and avoid a lot of confusion. The wait will be worth it.
*MY ADVICE: I didn't do this but I should have. If you can go without kids, do it. The sweet caseworkers in Lexington have toys in their office and they know that having the kids around is just how it is for most families applying, but it's so much less work and stress for you to be able to just have to take care of one task at a time and not worry about your babies being entertained or making a mess while you're there. If you do have to bring the kiddos, make sure you have snacks, activities and potentially some music with headphones or a video option - it will take a while.
I filled out my first round of insurance forms online as soon as we moved because my youngest needed to get his vaccinations. I waited two months to hear if we qualified, only to find we were denied benefits. I was so confused. We were definitely qualified according to their qualification checklist on their website. I felt deflated, and honestly did not even attempt a second time because I was out of steam. I then received a letter in the mail a month later (waiting three months in total) explaining that we had insurance and did as of August (when I first applied). WHAT THE HECK? I didn't question it. I took the insurance cards and made the doctor appointments, but if I had just gone into the office I would have saved a lot of time, stress, and kept my babies appointments on track. It wasn't the end of the world, but it felt like a lot of work to find out it "didn't work", only to find out that it actually did? So, just trust me and go wait in the building where you can ask any question under the sun to a human being, and get all of the answers you need.
Each state's income requirements and allotment for benefits vary. The larger the family, the more money for SNAP you will receive. My case worker gave me a little tip that I am going to pass on to you. If you have two children, make sure you put yourself as a caretaker for one child, and your partner as a caretaker for your other child. This will keep your studying spouse from needing to apply for jobs or work, while they receive benefits. This may sound like cheating, but it's not. You both need the assistance. If your partner will not be able to work while they are in school like mine, this little tip is pure gold. Thank you, caseworker.
Also, if you are a rookie to ways of SNAP and how modern it is, this next paragraph is for you. Your benefits are available on a card - like a debit card. When you go to your grocery store, you swipe your card, select EBT, and whatever isn't food (prepared food is not covered by SNAP - like the deli salads etc.) will come up as a separate amount. You then use your personal card to pay for the remaining balance, and that's it. It's so simple. Getting SNAP is a bear, but using SNAP could not be easier. Also, you can use your card if you are traveling out of state - just fyi. Every six months will have to follow up with your caseworker to make sure no unreported changes have occurred.
When it comes to insurance, apply in person and ask for a list of all of the updated locations for any medical needs you have (dentist, optometrist, pediatrician etc...) from your caseworker. I have looked up many buildings, driven all over town only to find the office has moved, or closed, or didn't actually accept the government insurance I was given. Your caseworker will have the most up to date information.
This can be a frustrating process and an emotionally irritating state to be in, but it's worth it. I have a balance I use for groceries and insurance I use to keep the health of myself and my family in check. I have a decreased amount of stress about finances, and an increased amount of stability in this student loan debt consuming time. Meditate, pray, vent, do whatever you need to do to feel ok with this step and embrace the assistance for what it is - get started, be ok with it, and appreciate it.
I enjoyed your insights and advice. As you know I have walked in your shoes and if I had the chance to do it all over again, I would more quickly swallow the pride that held us back and accept the assistance. Graduate school years were some of the most trying times in our lives. Unfortunately there is not usually one right answer or way conquer the expense. The best choice is to lay out your priorities, God, Family, Country and make the best choices possible with the information you have. We all have to make sacrifices but the task ahead of your family is uniquely tough and most people don't understand. Sure you could put your children in daycare and get a job but you wouldn't be ahead by much financially and you would be missing out on the joys of life. I agree with your advice to sacrifice a little pride to receive help. Especially because you know it is temporary and this type of aide is provided precisely for this purpose. In the long run you will benefit, your children will benefit and all of society will benefit as you prepare to return from the secluded section of "those in graduate school"as more than contributors, educated leaders.
ReplyDeleteI definitely don't think it's for everyone, but for those searching, my experience with it felt worth sharing and mildly life changing :) - this last month I have been able to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Hind sight is always 20 - 20 as they say :) but you guys made it and we will eventually haha. Thanks for your comment!
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