Posted on 08/18/2014 11:34:16 AM PDT by GraceG
Okay, So I know of a few people who are shall we say very Lower middle class who used to be Mid-Middle class until recently due to the wonderful economy as of late.
I know they are wanting to prep, but are unable to make ends meet and I have been rotating out my own personal prepping stock to just keep them fed day to day. (don't worry I am not giving them expired food, just food that is nearing expiration).
The question recently arose about if they should get an EBT card and use it to buy their own reserve, stuff like canned food and easily storable food like oats, rice, etc...
They hate the idea of getting on EBT/SNAP, but the question is if things are going to go haywire anyways is it a bad thing to do this?
Or should they go to private food pantries to slowly stock up on having a stash in case SHTF....
I have offered to help with their preps but they are too prideful to take my prepping food for prepping purposes. The only way I could actually give them food for day to day living has been to use the excuse that the food that I have that is nearing expiration and they are doing me a favor by taking it...
There is no one on this board that I know of that begrudges anyone participating in these programs. If you need it, use it. Heck we’re all paying for it.
As others have noted, the rub is when people game the system to avoid work or enable a slothful lifestyle.
The government is giving them the money for food so they can eat.
They ought to buy just a little extra each month with it if they go for it. If they buy a little extra at a time, then it won’t raise any red flags.
Aside from rice and beans, they could do canned soups as well.
touching, that is the way it is “suppose” to work! thank you for that reply.
Mike
I just had part of a can of expired July 2013 Spam for lunch. I await my demise.
LOL did u fry it? i like it best that way but either will work for me!
Mike
Ethically, the first step is to go through an ethical analysis of any decision. So you’ve started with that.
Deontologically, I like to proceed with the Kantian Categorical Imperative. One should do only that which one would will to be a universal moral law. I would suggest that everyone should reserve a portion as savings, assuming that the source is ethically garnered. I see no ethical problem in receiving food assistance when in true need, and so holding back a portion thereof as savings seems moral and even categorically imperative.
Teleologically, we’re dealing with the ethics of scarcity and survival. Since it is not immoral to receive charity when in true need, saving a portion of that charity (if possible) seems reasonable. It harms nobody, and can actually help the common weal by helping the prepper to become more self-sufficient.
Practically, food assistance is really fairly limited and available only for those with rather low household incomes. Saving even that little portion as preparation for future emergencies may be difficult in practical terms.
The determining factor in each individual case involves the conscience of the needy person or family in assessing what “true need” means for them.
In my case, I have not applied for any assistance because, I have been unemployed for quite a while, but I had the foresight to have savings to live on. According to what I’ve researched, if I have 2-3 months worth of savings to pay for a place to live, etc., I am not eligible for food assistance until I am destitute. I don’t really understand that. It seems they would rather have me eligible for assistance for every program. I know why so I will not apply.
There is no shame in accepting help, when the government has allowed our jobs to be offshored.
When the people wise up and change our leaders and they raise the import tariffs, and bring industries back to the US, and jobs are plentiful again, then I would say get a better job. But right now, do what you have to to survive.
There is no shame in accepting help, when the government has allowed our jobs to be offshored.
When the people wise up and change our leaders and they raise the import tariffs, and bring industries back to the US, and jobs are plentiful again, then I would say get a better job. But right now, do what you have to to survive.
If they qualify for EBT, then they probably qualify for Medicaid. Be careful...your state will want the Medicaid money paid back from your estate, after your pass. Talk to a lawyer.
http://www.factcheck.org/2014/01/medicaid-estate-recovery-program/
If they need the food, SHTF or whatever, and they qualify for it, I strongly encourage them to use it. I am sure they have helped others from time to time, and that they will continue to do so.
If they are qualified for the benefits, why shouldn’t they claim them?
It doesn’t really matter if they are buying food to eat today or food to store for later, or some combination.
As long as they are buying booze, cigarettes, and lottery tickets I really have no problem with it.
I’m sure these folks all paid their fair share of taxes. Nobody should martyr themselves over stuff like this. I imagine many have children also, they need to be provided for.
Depends on your valuation of “having” vs “hiding”.
If the intent of the EBT is to obtain food that then in turn relieves financial pressure to obtain other things, i.e. “having”, then from a purely selfish view point, I would say yes, get your food and store as much as you can.
On the other hand, if you don’t want the government to know what you have ......
These folks must have paid taxes their whole lives, since they were middle class and never took assistance before now. So I say they should go for it. Better they get EMT than some illegal leech who crawled across the border yesterday, never paid a cent in taxes, and feels entitled.
Of course, people like your friends are usually turned down for EMT, unfortunately. But if they can manage to get on it, I think they should. I understand their reluctance, though. Most decent, hardworking Americans do hate to accept assistance.
“I’m sure these folks all paid their fair share of taxes...”
We all have. Well, most of us. Most people getting free handouts have paid in something - so they say. Everyone on SSDI claims they have paid in their entire lives so they are just getting what they ‘deserve’.
Some are, some aren’t.
Problem is - if we all got what we have paid in, the system would be broke.
Oh...is it.
Funny how that works.
We have become an entitlement society. And sadly, I think that means there is less available for those that really need it. I have a friend that is a paraplegic. And gets very little assistance. I think there should be more for people like him, and less for those that are able-bodied but pretend not to be. But fraud is rampant.
I have an odd take on this - I think if one is ‘taking’ in order to bring about a faster demise of this country so we can rebuild, go for it! I find that noble. As long as they are willing to work to rebuild it the right away after it all collapses about our ears.
“I think if one is ‘taking’ in order to bring about a faster demise of this country so we can rebuild, go for it!”
Well, that is the Cloward-Piven theory of societal destruction and I can’t support it.
Yes - I’m not all that concerned anymore about it. Unless there’s strong pride component, better they get some of the money they’ve put in all those years. Heck - better they get some of the $$ that I’m putting in than people who live generations on the dole.
As a Catholic, I think we tend to overlook any differences much to my chagrin.
Has anyone else called dibs on your preps if that does happen?
I don't suspect anyone would, if anyone knew about them. When I do open that swelled can of gray, bubbling, smelly chicken and ingest it, I'll let you know.
It’s a matter of intent.
After careful analysis, we are doomed no matter what. The only way to return to our roots is to do it while older folks who learned about the founding fathers and the American work ethic that created the greatest superpower are still alive. Wait just one more generation, and those dumbed down by public schools will be all that’s left.
Cloward-Pivan will happen no matter what - it IS happening. We are at the bottom in international tests, the number of people on food stamps and disability has skyrocketed, illegals are being brought in and placed all over the country, white guilt is being used to enhance the victim classes,...
It won’t take much to light this powder keg.
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