How to Stay Off Welfare
USINFO | 2013-08-09 14:06
It can be challenging to pick yourself back up again once you leave the welfare program. Depending on when you exited welfare, jobless rates may be high and factors such as education level, relationship status and how many children you have could impact your career choices and your daily availability. For example, if you are a single mother or father with no family or friends that can care for your young children, you may not be able to work long hours without assistance. You can follow various steps to help you stay off welfare.
Instructions
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Economize more. Look for ways to cut costs even further than you are currently doing. Use coupons and online deals. Shop at stores that accept double coupons and sign up for free samples online, especially for things like toothpaste, soap and feminine hygiene products. Always buy what you need on sale, and always compare national brands with generic brands, which are usually cheaper. Buy clothing, toys and household necessities at secondhand stores such as the Goodwill and the Salvation Army, where items such as sweaters, furniture and books are available at a fraction of the price compared to a regular store.
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Attain more education. If you did not graduate from high school, acquiring your GED may help you in your job search. If you have a high school diploma but no college degree, take community college courses at night or at an accredited adult school. According to the Washington Post, "85 percent of women on welfare who go to college and graduate get off and stay off welfare. The more years of education they have, the better the outlook is for their future."
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Research non-profit organizations in your area that may be able to assist your needs. For example, if you are a single mother and need to work more than one job to make ends meet, you may need help with childcare but possibly can't afford it. If this is the case, certain non-profits such as Devotion to Children or the YWCA can help pay for or provide childcare to children whose parents need assistance.
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Research and enroll in "work support" programs that may apply to your current financial situation. Work support programs include food stamps, earned income tax credits and health insurance assistance, and aim to aid low-income families stay off welfare by covering basic needs.
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Ask your county's human services agency whether it offers a loan program to low-income individuals and families that may have recently come off welfare. Family loan programs offer low-interest loans to those who may not be able to afford a traditional loan with high interest rates. These special loans can help pay for necessities like a car or to pay down past debts.
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