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I'm assuming you'll be a law student next year (and hope you're not totally joking about this).

If so, doesn't your law school allow you to take grad-plus loans to cover your cost of living expenses? I also wonder if the case is that you're totally maxed out on grad-plus and can't cover your expenses, if your school would not let you take on work study?

It was always my understanding that food stamps were for the indigent (i.e. those without any means at all).

Rock-N-Roll wrote:I'm assuming you'll be a law student next year (and hope you're not totally joking about this).

If so, doesn't your law school allow you to take grad-plus loans to cover your cost of living expenses? I also wonder if the case is that you're totally maxed out on grad-plus and can't cover your expenses, if your school would not let you take on work study?

It was always my understanding that food stamps were for the indigent (i.e. those without any means at all).

I would qualify for food stamps in NYC. I elected not to seek them, but I wouldn't fault a student for deciding to accept them. We're almost all already getting government handouts in the form of subsidized loans, tax credits, and work-study grants. What's one more form of government aid?

Renzo wrote:

Rock-N-Roll wrote:I'm assuming you'll be a law student next year (and hope you're not totally joking about this).

If so, doesn't your law school allow you to take grad-plus loans to cover your cost of living expenses? I also wonder if the case is that you're totally maxed out on grad-plus and can't cover your expenses, if your school would not let you take on work study?

It was always my understanding that food stamps were for the indigent (i.e. those without any means at all).

I would qualify for food stamps in NYC. I elected not to seek them, but I wouldn't fault a student for deciding to accept them. We're almost all already getting government handouts in the form of subsidized loans, tax credits, and work-study grants. What's one more form of government aid?

Not all federal programs are intended for or available to all people, so I disagree with your general argument.

I do also admit that I don't know the rules related to food stamp qualification at all. My question to you would therefore be did you actually qualify in NYC? From the language of your post it sounds like you didn't but you rather believe that you would.

As an incoming student myself, I am totally (and painfully) aware of the need to minimize loan debt, but I hope we're not talking about using food stamps as a way to save a buck (disclaimer: I do not know anything about OP's situation and am not trying to judge him or her). I think food stamps are a resource intended for people who are desperate, and I think to try and get them as a grad student instead of taking more loans is taking advantage of the system. I could go to a shelter right now and get a free dinner, but it's not right.

Till this year, many students in Michigan apparently qualified for food stamps (read the article on my phone this morning). Maybe, Op read something to that effect?

Far as I know, California students don't qualify for food stamps. I went to a CA school for my undergrad and don't recall anyone having it. For grad/law students, I have no idea.

in oregon you get food stamps if you hold a federal work-study job. $200/month for food! tons of people are on them here.

see if there's something similar in cali?

You can qualify in CA, but I think you have to be working part time or something like that.

At BYU there are tons of grad students that get food stamps. Most of them are married and have kids, but I don't think that makes a difference. I'm pretty sure as long as your parents don't claim you and your income is below the threshold, you are good to go. Same thing goes for WIC, medicaid, and subsidized housing.

These programs are there for the people that need them. My opinion is that it is a very personal choice whether to take advantage of them or not.

El_Gallo wrote:At BYU there are tons of grad students that get food stamps. Most of them are married and have kids, but I don't think that makes a difference. I'm pretty sure as long as your parents don't claim you and your income is below the threshold, you are good to go. Same thing goes for WIC, medicaid, and subsidized housing.

These programs are there for the people that need them. My opinion is that it is a very personal choice whether to take advantage of them or not.

it does (in most states at least)

BackToTheOldHouse wrote:You can qualify in CA, but I think you have to be working part time or something like that.

This. I know for a fact I would qualify if I worked 20 hours according to the websites I found. I just dont know if as a graduate student they would view my financial aid as employment since we cant work.

And for what its worth, my family has been on aid forever, sister, cousins mother etc. I didnt take out the grad plus loan so Im trying to cut costs as I dont have the maximum refund coming my way.

(Trust me I wish this wasnt an issue haha)

Thanks for the replys

Unbelievable

1. That you are considering this.
2. and that people are seriously helping you think through it.

I thought about responding but I think it's a trap. I'm going to pretend you're not serious instead.

I think if you have savings though you can't get stamps.

liltay357 wrote:

BackToTheOldHouse wrote:You can qualify in CA, but I think you have to be working part time or something like that.

This. I know for a fact I would qualify if I worked 20 hours according to the websites I found. I just dont know if as a graduate student they would view my financial aid as employment since we cant work.

And for what its worth, my family has been on aid forever, sister, cousins mother etc. I didnt take out the grad plus loan so Im trying to cut costs as I dont have the maximum refund coming my way.

(Trust me I wish this wasnt an issue haha)

Thanks for the replys

That's only if you tell them that you're attending school! just don't tell em, duh!

rdcws000 wrote:Unbelievable

1. That you are considering this.
2. and that people are seriously helping you think through it.

I thought about responding but I think it's a trap. I'm going to pretend you're not serious instead.

Consider it retribution for taking away our subsidized graduate loan interest. I think we should all file for food stamps and cost the government a billion dollars for trying to save a few hundred million at our expense.

rdcws000 wrote:Unbelievable

1. That you are considering this.
2. and that people are seriously helping you think through it.

I thought about responding but I think it's a trap. I'm going to pretend you're not serious instead.

stfu. Just because you have had the privilege of never needing them, dont judge me.

I wont lie about not being in school tho, I feel like that's an easy way to get caught up. I will let those know what I find out once I arrive out West!

rdcws000 wrote:Unbelievable

1. That you are considering this.
2. and that people are seriously helping you think through it.

I thought about responding but I think it's a trap. I'm going to pretend you're not serious instead.

Didn't Old Dirty Bastard roll up in a limo to accept food stamps?
Jus Saying

The program is intended for people who qualify for it. If the OP qualifies, the program is for him/her.

If the government wants to categorically exclude students who could borrow instead, they could do that. Since they haven't, get off your moral high horses.

Renzo wrote:The program is intended for people who qualify for it. If the OP qualifies, the program is for him/her.

If the government wants to categorically exclude students who could borrow instead, they could do that. Since they haven't, get off your moral high horses.

A lot of states do.

dr123 wrote:

Renzo wrote:The program is intended for people who qualify for it. If the OP qualifies, the program is for him/her.

If the government wants to categorically exclude students who could borrow instead, they could do that. Since they haven't, get off your moral high horses.

A lot of states do.

And in those states, it would be wrong for a student to collect the benefit, since they'd have to lie to get them.

Renzo wrote:

dr123 wrote:

Renzo wrote:The program is intended for people who qualify for it. If the OP qualifies, the program is for him/her.

If the government wants to categorically exclude students who could borrow instead, they could do that. Since they haven't, get off your moral high horses.

A lot of states do.

And in those states, it would be wrong for a student to collect the benefit, since they'd have to lie to get them.

I'm just saying, in most states, it is not easy (impossible in some) for an unemployed full time student who is unmarried with no kids to get food stamps.

If Cal Fresh = food stamps (guessing, not sure), then read below.

We don't qualify simply because you have to have under 2,000 dollars in the bank at any given point and need to report if you ever get over that threshhold. The way our loans work, we will end up over 2,000 at least twice a year when they disburse (unless you don't take loans for living expenses).

http://www.calfresh.ca.gov/PG841.htm


Requirements:
1. 20 hrs a week of work
2. Under 2k cash in the bank (other asset based reqs)
3. Low income
4. Fingerprinting



I can't imagine getting food stamps. I was a productive working adult 14 months ago. Getting food stamps feels wrong as a law student. We are all in mountains of debt (well most of us), but we are basically choosing not to work. If you are looking for a full-time job or have one and still need food stamps, that is one thing. But food stamps for a student is well, wrong, in my books.

Renzo wrote: Since they haven't, get off your moral high horses.

As I essentially responded to you above - just because you are not prevented from doing something (i.e. being within the letter of the law) doesn't mean you should (i.e. because you are not within the spirit of that law). Or said otherwise, just because something is legal does not necessarily mean it is moral.

Rock-N-Roll wrote:

Renzo wrote: Since they haven't, get off your moral high horses.

As I essentially responded to you above - just because you are not prevented from doing something (i.e. being within the letter of the law) doesn't mean you should (i.e. because you are not within the spirit of that law). Or said otherwise, just because something is legal does not necessarily mean it is moral.

Yah. I know that legal doesn't equal moral. I didn't tell anyone to get off their legal high horses.

Renzo wrote:

Rock-N-Roll wrote:

Renzo wrote: Since they haven't, get off your moral high horses.

As I essentially responded to you above - just because you are not prevented from doing something (i.e. being within the letter of the law) doesn't mean you should (i.e. because you are not within the spirit of that law). Or said otherwise, just because something is legal does not necessarily mean it is moral.

Yah. I know that legal doesn't equal moral. I didn't tell anyone to get off their legal high horses.

Spoken like a true lawyer.

liltay357 wrote:

rdcws000 wrote:Unbelievable

1. That you are considering this.
2. and that people are seriously helping you think through it.

I thought about responding but I think it's a trap. I'm going to pretend you're not serious instead.

stfu. Just because you have had the privilege of never needing them, dont judge me.

I wont lie about not being in school tho, I feel like that's an easy way to get caught up. I will let those know what I find out once I arrive out West!

The privilege of never needing foodstamps? You're a dipshit.

I've taken out government loans that I know I can pay back, even if I don't get a job as a lawyer when I graduate, because I already have a job (a job mind you, not a trust fund) that will enable me to make the payments. Only a snot nosed little turd would consider my job a "privilege". No one gifted me my job. I put in an application, I started from the bottom, and worked my way through several promotions. Since you obviously cannot afford to go to school right now if you're considering defrauding the government, you should give this job application process a try.

What makes you think you are special because you're a poor law student? I don't know any law students who are not poor, except for the obvious exception of the few rich kids who's parents are paying. This is a small group.

As for those of you supporting the idea because the law does not explicitly rule it out (which you don't even know, you're just guessing), there's not much I can say to convince you. If your philosophy in life is to take what you can, because "you can", then good luck with that. At some point, you will run out of other people's money. If you can sit there with a straight face and tell me the food stamp program in California is intended to be an alternative to graduate student loans for living expenses, then I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.