Just Pay your Child Support

I think that help needs to go where it's needed and NOt to those people who are taking advantage for a free ride! It disgusts me that people do it, I have had famiyl members who have done it! It's NOt right and it needs to be reported! Just think of those families who really DO need help and aren't getting it because of situations like this!

I agree with you. I myself was on assistance, and I know people who are. Those who abuse the system so horribly are the ones who ruin it for the people out there who truly do just need some extra help.

If you report it, the state is required to keep the tip anonymous. They are not allowed to say who called, and can go in and investigate by making an unscheduled home visit (which is legally allowed on anyone who is on federally or state funded assistance).

Additionally, if they are in HUD housing, and have more people living there than they have on their lease, you can report it to the office of the complex they are in. If they just get state assistance through the same office as food stamps, then report it to the case worker.

I live in a town that sits on an indian reservation. We also have a casino, which gives out a LARGE chunk of change to anyone qualifying in the tribe. Children get a LOT of money for care, plus even more set aside in trust until they are 18. At Christmas, there is a group that puts together an outreach program- food, clothing & toys all at one location for anyone who feels they need the help. They have to sign up ahead of time.

Two years ago, I drove my sister in law over to go through the pick up time and what not. Standing in line ahead of us was an indian family who were ALL decked ou t in designer brand clothing, purses, even things like gucci sunglasses. None of the clothing looked like it had been worn more than once. It just peeved me off that this group helps everyone who asks with no income verification, and then the amount of help each family gets is decided by how many families signed up. Then you have people who very obviously do NOT need the extra help standing there.

I knew families that year who only got the 1 toy they got from that group for Christmas morning, and I'm betting the family in front of us probably had a whole heck of a lot more under the tree.

I have nothing against people asking for help- if they need it. It's there for that reason, by all means, USE IT! But don't abuse it!

I work with low income families and I am amazed at how many women with children are not receiving child support.

I would report them too and it should be kept anonymous, you can request that it be that way also.

I say that you should report this family to the proper authorties. Most states don't require that you leave your personal contact info. A lot of time this is done through a fraud Hotline.

That man is setting a piss poor example for his family in the future. His son or sons will end up doing the same thing as dear old dad. And any girls in this family are a safe bet to marry or get involved with the same type of male as her good old dad. So the cycle repeats itself! This is very dangerous.

As far as bad Karma, Karma is both individual and collective and thus effects individuals, families, communties, states and countries. Not reporting this abuse has the ability to impact us all down the road.

I would report them anonymous or not. It's the right thing to do.

Too many people abuse assistance. I think that more states need a Welfare Reform Act. I too received assistance at one point in time for about 6 months or so. I was able to find a job (as humbling as it was) telemarketing from home so that I could still be there to raise my daughter. It wasn't a lot of money, but it was enough to get me started in the right direction. I have never had to re-apply for benefits since.

The state that I received the assistance from had a strict outline though. You could only get benefits for a 2 year period and then you'd have to wait 5 years before you could re-apply. They would pay for eduction during that time to help you get established though. You couldn't add another child if the birth occured after the application. You had to file for child support or your benefits would be discontinued.

I think that regualtions like these in more states would help prevent the abuse that the system allows now.

I find it amazing that those who really need assistance cannot or are not getting it and know of many instances where people who should not get it have and do. I know of two families in particular who received WIC and did not deserve it but they lied and said they were separated so they could get the free food. One family has the same as you describe, designer clothes, nice furniture, go out all the time, smoke and drink and don't have a care in the world when it comes to money but they got WIC.
You would think they would be on to schemes by now and fix the system.
This problems has existed for more than 35 years, when my kids were small. You'd see a family from a nice neighborhood, with nice clothes and house using their food stamps and driving away in a luxury car.

I say report it. And I don't think you will get bad Karma for doing what is right. As citizens we pay taxes and that is where part of our taxes go. I have seen many people who abuse the system. I worked as an apartment manager of low income housing and we also accepted section 8. It is the responsibility of the apartment manager (or HUD developement) to report these things also.

I echo the sentiments of reporting the family. Your hard earned tax dollars are being used to help them fleece the system. There are alot of hard-working people barely scraping by who are just above the line for assistance. These people need to learn they cannot take advantage of the system.

Report them. That is horrible. Maybe if they got off their lazy A**s and got jobs. Oh, I am sorry they wouldn't do something like that - just let everybody else who does work pay their way.

I agree with Roxanne - there are so many people who work and can hardly make it but they don't let other people take care of them.

Our state was supposed to institute a system like Tara said. There was such an uproar. All these people boo hoo ing about their benefits taken away. All these women with 6 kids all with different fathers and we are supposed to support them.

I feel bad for you - the people who need it get harrassed and the users get off scot free - don't worry about Karma they will get a swift kick from Karma. Turning them in is the right thing to do.

I am a little late seeing this article, I apologize for that. I must agree with everyone in that it sucks that there are people out there taking advantage of the welfare system and I am the first person who gets angry that welfare recipients are clothed and fed better than I am However, if the situation does not directly affect your family, I would leave it alone. What gives us the right to judge someone else. We are not in that family and cannot say for certain that all this is taking place. I know people used to come in my home and say..."it must be nice to have a big screen television and not have a job" Well, if they knew me they would know that the big screen tv (had) was actually something that we had won in a Bingo raffle. I mean do we know that those nikes werent bought by grandma or something?
Just be careful because of Karma...get in someone elses business then it comes back to you. Great article tho

i say report it no one will know who reported them. its the right thing to do

Here's a click and another 10 towards your next cash-out.