Children on assistance eligible for $200 in back-to-school aid

Who in their right mind thought of this and passed it ?

Okay karen, The checks are written in the kids names and the money will be spent buying items they need for school. HAhahahah. I know better.

They can do like they do for minor children who have lost a parent. I believe that an accounting is done at the end of year as to where the money went and receipts are checked.

The county is just taking cue from the federal government. Remember the TARP money? Yeah, apparently, it's fashionable to hand out money to irresponsible people with no want or care to track said funds! Governor Dave, you should run for president, you're so damn smart! Now I know why welfare budget increased 10%. Whatever, this state is making it easier and easier to make what I thought would be a hard decision...we are re-locating somewhere in one of the other 47 lower states. As much as I love the town I live in, and as much as I want my son to grow up here, and play football on friday nights, I can't take the dysfunction anymore! Why is this OK? Why are we giving tax $ to people who do not have to account for it?? It's a shame the way the government spends money. If our government was a business/corporation, they's have gone out of business years ago.Or worse, been indicted for being shady in their business practices. This is a bad idea. Helping children is not a bad idea, but it has to be done more efficiently.

First of all, what people receive for basic public assistance is laughable. The last I heard, the basic amount has not been increased by the state in a very, very long time. I challenge any you of in general, and Mr Hawley in particular, to try living for six months on public assistance. Anyone I have known receiving these benefits has very little discretionary income - if any - for things other than basic necessities. There is very little left for personal hygiene items ... or school supplies. I know some of you will share anecdotes about the people you see buying cigarettes, cable TV, cell phones, beer and lottery tickets, etc. All I ask is that you try living for one month on the basic benefit. Second (and this is my anecdotal material, I suppose), on a professional basis I have been involved with many,many low income people in a variety of situations relating to poverty, job loss, health crisis, mental health, addiction, etc. I can think of only a hand-full who ever expressed any glee to me about reciving public assistance. The whole process is often very time-consuming, demeaning and obviously meant to discourage people from applying. (Don't get me wrong, I am not critiquing individual social workers, many of whom have hearts of gold, it's the system that is designed this way.) Who would willingly subject themselves to this? I challenge all of you, and Mr Hawley in particular, to spend a day at the Social Services office of your choice. Chat with the people who are there and listen to their stories. Even if you are not in need of assistance, I encourage you to spend the time filling out the set of forms that is required. Be sure to bring lots of supporting documents (pay stubs, rental receipts, work history, medical reports, social security numbers, phone numbers), but know that you will invariably forget to bring one of them and you'll need to return on another day. Be sure to arrive no later than 8:00 AM because if you arrive any later than that may be told that you'll need to return on another day. No transportation available at 8:00 AM? Well, get up extra early or ride your bike. At the Orleans County Social Services office you might want to bring your own chair, unless you enjoy standing in that claustrophobic little waiting room for several hours. They don't like having you stand in the hall, either. Keep in the mind that the overall atmosphere in many of these offices is not a cheerful "how can we help you", but an unstated "our assumption is that you're lying". Again, this is not the workers behind the glass window, it's the way the whole thing is set up. Third, this thread is mostly about children. It always amazes the people I bring to volunteer at soup kitchens as to how many families with children there are. The stereotype is male drug addicts and drunks hitting bottom. I encourage you to have a conversation with the new Director of the Salvation Army office in Batavia, or the Director of Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern in Albion. Ask them how many children they see, how many are in need, etc. As far as I know, children don't often have the opportunity to choose who their parents will be, and whatever bad choices, disabilities, diseases, or addictions their parents have should not taken out on children. Better yet, volunteer to help at our food shelf at the Salvation Army, and learn more about the people who are being served. Ask them about their children, and their hopes and fears. Maybe you'll find some common ground? I hope so. In any event, if you have advice about how these people ought to be living their lives, here's your chance to test out your ideas. Most of us live in rural communities between Buffalo and Rochester. There is poverty here. It is more invisible than many places. It is growing.

James - you are a kind hearted soul, with much compassion. I'm not being sarcastic - I'm serious. You view the situation much differently than I do. I am very involved with many people that are on public assistance - I won't go into much detail since their privacy is important. However, they blow a lot of money on things they really don't need. It's almost as if they really don't know how to cut back on luxuries. Concerning the system - I would argue that the system doesn't place enough scorn and embarrassment on the people applying for social services. Public assistance, in my mind, should be the last possible place you go, and it should be frowned upon so much that people will hurry to get off of public assistance - not accept it as a way of life. Concerning the children - I get to talk with a lot of senior citizens (and I really do me A LOT). They tell me stories of their childhood, the clothes they made out of sacks (literally), the chores, the abuse, etc. - and now we call them the Greatest Generation. Maybe our kids and families need to go through some tougher times to toughen us up? Just a thought. P.S. - I love this site! I think the exchange of ideas it produces is just awesome.

I agree with you Gabor. Is anyone helping raise my kids? I feel as though I am getting penalized for going to work every day. No one hands my husband and I extra money to buy our kids new school clothes. Years ago I was on public assistance in the great state of New York. I wanted to work, but I had two young children and was told by the Department of Social Services it would be more economical for me to stay home and receive public assistance. Well, I did just that. I received $1,000 a month in cash from SSI just because my child had asthma. Then, on top of that I received cash to pay my rent, pay the electric bill and enough food stamps to last all month. Don't forget the free heath and dental insurance I had! And, I never had to worry about getting up in the morning and going to work. And, I forgot to mention I have a college education and I did milk the system. I even had a car and the taxpayers helped me fill the tank so I could drive my kids around. At that time my kids had every toy and were well dressed. All I had to do was fill out paperwork once a year to remain on the system. Then I got married and got off assistance. And, here I am 13 years later and can not stand going to the grocery store and seeing people whip out their public assistance benefit card to buy name brand groceries. I am using coupons and buying the store brand. I now live in South Carolina and my children go to high school with children that are on public assistance. These children have their own cars and have all the latest fashions. After they graduate I'm sure they will get a free ride to college while we will have to take out student loans because my husband and I go to work every day. So, please don't feel too sorry for the people on assistance they know exactly what they are doing. I don't see too many of them getting off assistance and going to work every day. All I ever hear is about how their benefits should increase because the price of food is rising. Well, I asked my employer to up my pay and he just laughed at me. I could always go get a second job....

How about the fact that the children receiving the $200 for school supplies don't even have to be old enough for school? I know this to be true because I know someone who has already received this money for 2 children under the age of 3.

I don't get this...I am a single mother and I have a full time job. I support my son on my own with no help from anyone. I struggle all the time just to put food on the table for him and a roof over our heads. I did apply for food stamps and they told me I make too much money but I see people in the store using food stamps that have better clothes on than me. I think they should help the people that "make too much money" instead of helping the ones they already help. Besides how many of the kids that are suppose to receive the money will really see every dime of it? The parents will spend it on other things that they want and not what the child needs.

This will be a mess. Some people will spend the money on their kids for school supplies and clothes. Others will use it to pay bills. Some will use to take the kids out. Others will just waste it. There is no plan to monitor the money, it's just a feel good give away

I don't understand why they can't do some of these programs like WIC. They should get vouchers with the allowed items printed on them. How many children do you know that are under the age of 5 that go to school? (Except for the ones in Headstart and special programs?) I agree this whole idea was not thought out.........

Good Morning Bea, You're right, hard times can fall on anyone. And there are many institutions that are not government run that can help them. Salvation Army, GOMOC, churches, family members, etc. It seems that we automatically expect the government to help us instead of these other institutions. I'm 100% in favor donating to a church to a help a family because that's my choice, but I'm not keen on being forced to help by way of public assistance. Asking the government to help should be the absolute last resort. I'm 31 years old, and I'm told of older people that had to apply for welfare when they had a young family- but only for 3-4 months, and they were ashamed and embarrassed. That's the way it should be. We make it to easy for people to collect - give them a handy dandy little card so the people behind them in the grocery store can't tell their using food stamps, let them check their balances on-line or by phone to be more discreet and offer more "easy renewal" applications for people that need extensions. It seems as though we accept the premise of public assistance, and I believe that is wrong.

Posted by Sean Valdes on August 12, 2009 - 8:48am I'm 31 years old, and I'm told of older people that had to apply for welfare when they had a young family- but only for 3-4 months, and they were ashamed and embarrassed. That's the way it should be. I am a senior citizen, living in subsidized housing. I guess that makes me one of those who should be 'ashamed and embarrassed' because 'that is the way it should be'! One of the most important traits a person needs is dignity. Implying that anyone who is in need, regardless of where they must go to get it, should wear sack cloth and ashes and a sign around their neck labeling them as a loser just hits the wrong chord with me. I agree the program could have been handled differently to insure that it is spent on the children. However, that isn't the issue with many on this site. The issue is to proclaim anyone in need deserves scorn and abuse.

They can do like they do for minor children who have lost a parent. I believe that an accounting is done at the end of year as to where the money went and receipts are checked. I agree they should have figured out a way to track this or maybe gave the money directly to schools and had them provide the supplies to the kids that need it.

I said temporary is fine... I feel shame every time I take an unemployment payment. I should be able to provide for myself. I worked to create more wealth for myself. I am working 2 jobs. I just lost my 3rd income stream and that doesn't count what Chelsea earns. Still its not enough when my company has a shutdown. I understand it happens but I do my best to try and prevent that lose of income. That is the only reason I still have the job. But I continue to feel shame when I take from others. Just think, if there were less people taking you wouldn't have to pay as much to begin with and you could spend more and create more jobs further reducing the number of looters.

In a way I agree with you. I babysat my grandchildren before my knee surgery to get money for gas and extras. If I didnt have the money. I stayed home or went without, because I agree with you to the point if you dont have the money you dont need it. BUT still I dont feel ashamed for getting a little help. I have totally paid my dues. I raised my kids and 4 others, never got help from anyone. My husband was disabled and I worked 2 full time jobs. Plenty of times I took on part time work or side jobs to pay for christmas or back to school or extras. I am just about recovered and I'll be looking for another job. I hate being home I'm not one to sit around and do nothing. Actually it's almost nice to hear someone your age say ..I worked 2 and 3 jobs. I mentioned for my 26 year old married son that maybe getting another job would help with expenses and he said. "what? I won't have time for fun!" LOL Welcome to "real life"

My guess is since there is no accountability that the money will support the state by way of the slot machines at Batavia Downs. Some parents are honest and trustworthy so the money will be used to benefit the kids as expected. The vast majority of the money I suspect will end up for other purposes. I like the idea that someone had about issuing a card that allowed restrictions on what could be bought. It would probably be a logistical nightmare to manage that.

Not suprized at all Peter. Like I said, this should have been planned out a little better than it was. Maybe they should have issued a store card, only to be used for school supplies. Its a little too late now. SHAME ON YOU, PARENTS THAT USED YOUR KIDS MONEY FOR YOURSELVES!!!! I Hope you feel good about ripping off your children...