Judge strikes down Florida law mandating drug tests for welfare

December 31, 2013|Reuters

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-12-31/news/sns-rt-us-usa-drugs-florida-20131231_1_drug-testing-welfare-recipients-drug-use

Summary:

On July 2011 in Florida a law went into effect to drug test parents who applied for temperate assistance for needy families.  The person taking the test was the one who had to pay the fee ranging form $25 to $45.  If the person passed the were reimbursed the money and free to collect the benefit which they need.  The parents who fail the drug test are denied benefit for a year.  In October 2011 the testing stopped after the American Civil Liberties Union sued, saying that the testing was in violation with the 4th amendment rights.   The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Orlando for Luis Lebron, a Navy veteran, college student and single father who had full custody of his then-5-year-old son.  He refused to take the test saying, "The new law assumes that everyone who needs a little help has a drug problem".  Supports of the law argued that people who received welfare needed to be drug-free in preparation for jobs.. They also said that businesses require similar tests and have been for years.  They also stated  that government should do the same to ensure that taxpayer money wasn't used to buy illegal drugs.  During this time 2.6% of people on welfare or applying for welfare tested positive for drugs where as 8.7% of the general population has used drugs in the last month.  The judge said that the test violated these people's constitutional right and could no longer be performed.  The governor wants to appeal the case.  

My opinion:

I personally like the idea of welfare drug testing.  I don't believe that people feel that everyone on welfare uses drug, it just ensures that the money the get goes to good use.  I feel that though it may violate the 4th amendment it is a good policy.  I think that in the case of government assistance that as far as the drug testing the 4th amendment right should be compromised.  It should be compromised with the understanding that this is government money and drugs are illegal.  This agreement should be made in writing before the person can receive their check.  I do have to say I am impressed that such a small number failed the drug test especially when compared to the general population.  This goes to show we shouldn't stereotype.  Not everyone on welfare is lazy, some people genuinely need the help and benefits so I think that others should stop being so critical when they hear the term welfare.

California's 'Octomom' charged with welfare fraud

January 13, 2014|Reuters

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-01-13/news/sns-rt-us-usa-octomom-fraud-20140113_1_nadya-suleman-octuplets-welfare-fraud

Summary:

Several years ago a California mother had octuplets, these children were only the second set of octuplets who were born and survived in the United States.  The media named Nayda Suleman or Natalie Denise Suleman as Octomom. She was a single mother who became a media sensation.  Her popularity and support dwindled when people found out she was using fertility drugs after already having 6 children.  Since the children she has been struggling financially and trying to earn money by singing and she performed in a pornographic video.  In January of 2013 Octomom decided to file for welfare so she could support her 14 children.  Natalie is now being charged with welfare fraud because she failed to claim $30,000 form personal appearances and residual videos in the months between January and June of 2013.  She is now facing 5 years and 8 months of jail time if she is convicted.  Persecutors are going to ask the judge to set bail at $25,000.

My opinion:  

I really have mixed feeling about this article.  I feel that there is no need for a mother of six to be on fertility drugs, now she has a grand total of 14 children.  I see how all these kids would be a financial burden especially paying for day care because that is tons of money.  Her children now rang in age for 5-13 so they are or are approaching school age which means that she would no longer be paying the daycare cost.  This being said all the children need clothes and shoes as well as food and other basic necessities which adds up quickly.  I can see why she would need welfare benefits to see that  her needs and the needs of her children are met.  The article didn't make it sound like she has a real job but she should to support her children though she probably would still need some benefits.  $30,000 is a lot of money not to claim for her welfare.  Now all things considered when divided 15 ways it isn't so much anymore but it stilled needed to be claimed.  Shes facing jail time which raises the question of what is going to happen to her children.  I hope for the kids sake they don't get split up or a family member steps up to take care of them if she is convicted.

How do you stretch your food dollars?

November 18th, 2013

http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2013/11/18/how-do-you-stretch-your-food-dollars/?iref=allsearch

Summary:  

In this article they talk about making the most of your food stamps since the recent cuts to the program.  One tip is just to go along the outer aisles of the grocery stores because that usually where they have cheaper items.  Another helpful hint is to grow your own veggies even if you only have a small area to do so in.  Cut meats are more expensive so buy the whole thing and also do as much scratch cooking as possible because premade foods costs more. Along with that cook, it's cheaper then going out to dinner. Another thing to consider is eat more foods that are high in protein because the keep you fuller longer. Also make a budget so you know how much to spend on food.  

My opinion:

I really think these are some good money saving tips even for people who aren't on food stamps.  This really helps to show that even with limited resources you can still stretch what you do have.  I know that it will be hard with the lack of money now due to the food stamps cut  but this way could be a little helpful.  The impact if the cut was much bigger then most people probably thought.  But I would also like to offer my own advise for money saving when in the grocery store: cut coupons because they're free money (but only for things you use) and for these people with cut benefits check out the local food bank.  These tips are usual for anyone trying to save a buck.  

Brooklyn Pantry Struggling to Help Fill Gap Left by Federal Cuts to Food Stamps

By Patrick McGeehan  Published: November 25, 2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/26/nyregion/brooklyn-pantry-struggling-to-help-fill-gap-left-by-federal-cuts-to-food-stamps.html?ref=welfareus&_r=0

Summary:

 Since $5 billion dollars were cut from food stamps, many New Yorkers had to turn to the local food pantries.  Because of this the Brooklyn pantry was running low on food so they needed to call in help. 19 skids come to stock up the pantry over night. They handed out over 1000 turkeys for Thanksgiving but they ran out, leaving chicken and ham as substitutes. Many people in the area are very thankful for the pantry.

Opinion:

 I know that if we want to make a dent in our debt programs need to be cut but it's really hard to hear about all these people suffering for this reason.  But now that there  has been a cut made to food stamps these people need to get their food from somewhere because they don't have the money to pay for it. The food pantry is the obvious answer. Now the items at the food pantry are in such high demand that the pantry almost ran out of supply.  The staples are going fastest which shows how inelastic core foods are because there aren't really substitutes for them.  I hope that people keep reaching out and donating to the food pantry to help all of these people.

The Best Budgeting Strategies for People Nearing Retirement

By: Geoff Williams Publish: November 18, 2013
http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2013/11/18/the-best-budgeting-strategies-for-people-nearing-retirement

Summary: 
A couple ages 59 and 60 were looking forward to their early retirement before the great recession hit.  Both were hard working and earn a goof bit of money and invested a large portion of their savings into their 401K and stocks.  The husband sold his company and went into semi-retirement and the wife left her job to pursue he hobby of breeding terriers.  Life was comfortable.  But in a few years they watched as their savings were dwindling down to nothing.  They know the dream of early retirement was far out of their reach at this point.  The couple decided to start up a business to help their retirement.  The wife became a veterinary assistant, an animal behaviorist and a professional dog trainer.  The couple decided to open up a dog park, training and grooming center. Their business generates income for them and continues to do so until they decided to sell or whatever but some months its making a profit, loss or just breaking even.  Based on this story here is a couple tips based on this couples experience for those newly retired or nearing retirement.  First is to look at your investments if you have any and if so shift them to more conservative investments this will supply a fairly reliable steady stream of income.  Second is to hold off on collecting your social security benefits if possible, this will generate more money when you do collect and you can get more out of it.  It'll maximize income. If your married also try to hold back from receiving your social security benefits, by holding off you maximize your and your partner's benefits.  Third you should plan to get sick, which may not sound good but this way you can be prepared by purchasing long term health insurance. Benefits are all different, be sure you find the one that is best fit for you.
Opinion:
I feel horrible for these people but the economy is never a for sure thing.  It's really good that they are making their experience into a way to help others by getting their story out there. They mentioned that their business's income changes which shows that their business is elastic.  They probably should have tried to enter a more certain market. I think that the tips provided are good ones.  Investments shouldn't be as risky if your retirement is riding on them. One must consider the opportunity cost of holding off on collecting their benefits.  You could have the money right away but then you won't maximize what you get out of it.  this article really brings up some good points and I thing everyone should really weight the benefits of each one of their options before moving forward with whatever they choose.   

Same-Sex Couples Are Urged to Apply for Social Security Spousal Benefits

Publish September 17, 2013  By: Ann Carrns
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/17/your-money/same-sex-couples-are-urged-to-apply-for-social-security-spousal-benefits.html?ref=socialsecurityus&_r=0

Summary:
The IRS decided that same sex couples regardless of where they live, if the pay income tax, married means married so they recognized same-sex marriage.  Social security hasn't come to the some conclusion concerning benefits.  With that being said they are urging same-sex couples to apply for social security even if the state in which they live doesn't recognized their marriage.  They aren't just urging couples with a same-sex marriage but also other legal partnerships such as civil unions and domestic partnerships.  These couples are advised to apply asap because they are eligible they can receive benefits that are retroactive to the filing out date.  Social security offers a range of benefits to families like filing for retirement based on your spouses work record. There's also the surviving spouse benefits if the other passes.  Social security's website saying its processing same spousal claims and will pay them when due, however social security uses " place of residence" when deciding the benefits and that maybe tricky if the marriage isn't recognized in the state which the same-sex couples lives.  Even of the couple is denied for the surviving spouse they can still fight it in court. 
Opinion:
I think that if a same-sex couple's relationship is recognized by any legal form they should be allowed to collect the same benefits a straight couple does.  If we preach equal right I don't know why there is still such a fight for same-sex couples. They work just as hard as everyone else they deserve benefits.  Plus being homosexual isn't a choice.  No one woke up one day and was like hmmm today I'll be a homosexual.  I don't know why some people have such an issue with this. I really hope that they do get the same benefits as straight couples. They deserve it.  Plus since the demand for social security is going up that'll be more money circulated through the economy which is ultimately a good thing.         

The Payoff in Waiting to Collect Social Security

Publish November 15, 2013 by Tara Siegel Bernard
 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/16/your-money/the-payoff-in-waiting-to-collect-social-security.html?ref=socialsecurityus&_r=0

Summary:
Instead of  collecting some of your social security benefits at age of 62 it actually pays to collect benefits at a later age.  The extra money you earn you while working means you'll get more money in benefits later when you get social security.  This means more income for retirement.  Depending how long you delay receiving your benefits you can save 6% or more of the saving used to produce that income.  You would get the income raising with inflation, for no risk.  Delaying the benefits requires leaving a lot of money on the table, which for some people is too much to resist or they just need it to live.  People with health problems though should start collecting right away.  Consider this example, if a 65 year old man collects $12,000 but if he would wait until he is 66 to start collecting social security he would receive $12,860 instead.  If he had to buy his extra $860 in income he would have to pay $22,500.  This way he is guaranteed a 6.7% return on his "investment" by waiting a year to collect his benefits. Now if this same man could afford to wait until he is 70, those five years would generate $17,000, which is $5,000 more then if he collected right away.  Waiting is even better for married couples because if one passes the other will get those benefits.  So waiting to collect your social security if you can will be better in the long run.
Opinion: 
I feel that waiting to collect social security is the smart thing to do if the returns are really that much higher.  It really would be worth while.  However I can see why people would want to collect right away, they feel if they paid into the system they want their money.  Elderly people may not be able to save and wait to collect either though with health problems because medical expenses are very high.  The cost of living is high as well so they may have to collect to live comfortably.  But considering that couples have a larger payoff by waiting is a good point.  The benefits for your loved ones would be much greater as well.  I think that waiting to collect your benefits is a good thing as long as you can afford to do so.  the opportunity costs must be weighed before the people choose what  they would like to do because they may need the money or want if right away but if they wait they maximize income.