Somebody I am trying to help get back on their feet used to do drugs and is now getting ssi payments. They are always out if food and myself and others who know them help them and their kids out...but they get penalized for our help if it goes above a certain amount by deductions from the ssi check. They also get penalized if they earn more than eight five bucks a month. And if they earn 1130 in a particular month they are off the program. Their skills are not worth much atm so they work under the table for people that rip them off by paying them a hundred bucks a week for full time work...and often not paying them at all. But they keep working and are always hungry. They want to get on their feet and go legit but the way they are scared of losing ssi then getting fired and not eating at all.
Those who abuse the system truly make it harder for those trying to make it. My adopted brother is on SSI for mental disability. The rules are very strict. You would have to be brilliant to cheat that program and most who are on it probably have very low IQs. They also don’t have a support system-no parents to call for advice or go to for dinner when money is tight. In fact, many have parents who take advantage of them. They are on their own with few life skills.
It’s really sad and life is hard when you just aren’t smart enough to navigate it wisely. If charity were left to churches which can provide support, accountability and training along with food all would be better off.
Bless you for helping.