Actually this was East Coast. Three different people I knew lived well by applying for everything, I’m sure it took a lot of research to find all the goodies. I know about the food stamps when one of them told me and explained that it was no big deal. This was years ago but I suspect that if you are willing to learn the system you too can skate through life on the backs of others. I don’t believe that anyone of them considered anything they were doing as not honest—they were just smarter and all good liberals. Getting govt goodies as way of life can be at any level not just inner-city poor. I’m sure it applies to businesses, bankers, etc.
There is actually a book out detailing all of the “free” stuff you can get from the government. I believe this was advertised on tv some time ago.