Venting About Reduced Lunch in School Program - Page 28

SahmIam · ‎04-16-2010

I've seen this all my life: people taking advantage of a situation.

* people who have the money to afford XYZ but say "it's free" or "I paid into it, so I deserve it". I suppose the way I was raised makes me think this when I hear either of those 2 answers: "Yes, but that doesn't mean you HAVE to take it. By not, it leaves more for those who truly need it".

*people who feel it's owed to them for whatever reason. Again, it's a mind set and you're not going to change it. At least, not easily.

There are those who have/own large amounts of "stuff" because they DO use the system and think nothing of it. Some of the wealthiest people I know are frugal to the point it's almost gross (re-using things that should be tossed and I'll just leave it at that).

There will always be those who take more than their fair share. ALWAYS. There will always be those who commit fraud as long as they can get away with it. ALWAYS. Priorities vary and in the end, you can only do what you believe in your heart is the right thing. Don't lower yourself to their level.

As my Daddy once said "You can dress a person up, but it doesn't mean they have good intentions. A man in rags can be a far more noble man than one in furs. You have to watch their ACTIONS in order to know their character".

Daddy was right.

Kalli · ‎03-11-2010

Most of the folks I know don't mind at all that children who are needy are getting lunch at a reduced rate or free. I think they just want it appreciated, not thrown away uneaten, not viewed as something that's expected, not to be forgetten that others are paying for these free lunches.

My husband and I have worked hard all our lives to have what we have. Still, I know that some of our success is due to what we were born into: homes with a hard-working dad and a mom who was always there for us, parents who taught us not to expect things but to work hard for them, homes where we were taught the value of accomplishment from that hard work.

Life isn't perfect for any of us. Sometimes some folks need a hand up out of a rough situation. Most of us don't mind doing that. We just don't want these wonderful programs to be susceptible to fraud. I don't think that's too much to ask, even if some of the money that goes into these programs winds up paying for extra workers who will ensure that the truly needy are the only ones who benefit. JMHO

esmerelda · ‎03-10-2010

If you know it, the school knows it and they don't care. The more kids they have on reduced/free meals, the more taxpayer money they get.

You can't change it. Don't lose sleep.

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Keepin' it real.

Toppers · ‎01-01-2015

@Isobel Archer wrote:
@Noel7 wrote:
@Toppers wrote:
@Noel7 wrote:
@Mominohio wrote:
@Noel7 wrote:
@joann1218 wrote:
I work in an elementary school as a secretary. I have access to student's files and need to keep certain information confidential, and I do. But please give me this moment to vent and maybe someone will have a way to fix what I see as fraud. To apply for free and reduced lunch in the state of NJ, you fill out an application and do not need to send anything with it to prove your income. Many families apply and are granted free/reduced lunch. Yet, I know for a fact, many are abusing the system. Families purchase homes and I know they receive free and reduced lunch. Students get pulled to travel out of the country for family functions and yet they are on free/reduced lunch. Students, moms and dads come in with designer clothing, handbags and they are on free/reduced lunch. How can families purchase homes, travel out of country, buy designer clothes and yet they have no money for lunch? Fraud is being committed, yet I feel how do I report this, if what I know is confidential? Just venting, but maybe can give me some ideas on how I can report and correct this abuse?

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Joann,
It's an abuse of the system to talk about people who are receiving help, period. Even if one does not repeat their names or other identifying facts.
It is also an abuse of what one knows, because of their job, to more or less gossip, implying fraud where there may be none.
I suspect none of the facts are known, there is only surmising.
I also know for a fact that talking about one's clients, patients, student families, etc. is illegal.

That is just bunk. This person posting, is simply stating what any bystander could see, and is revealing no information that would lead to any confidential information being compromised. Every student in the school knows who gets free lunches, and it is the same as public knowledge with the way kids (and people in general) talk about their personal lives today.

Let's start with the true abuse of the system and stop the fraud, first and foremost, then the waste in the programs, and go from there.

Seriously, what do those who deny and deflect the out of control entitlement system, it's abuses, fraud, expansion, and lack of real results,who post on here, have to gain from it?
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No, it's not bunk. I've been in a position to enforce it and I have.

This is true.

This is the kind of environment where one is not only dealing with the public, but also with sensitive information.

In positions like this, an employee may even be required to sign confidentiality paperwork when they're employed there, where they state that they will not talk about any of the clients (students, etc.) that their place of business (whatever it is) serves.
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@Toppers is correct. People who come in contact with sensitive information through their work, and that includes information about those who receive county, state or federal aid, even if that aid is only a percent, are required NOT to release any information or gossip about them or there will be consequences.

So if she did attempt to report this fraud, she, not those actually committing the fraud would likely be the one punished.

It seems like there is some confusion about what I posted.

I wasn't referring to any fraud in my post or comments.

I was referring to confidential information.

When someone signs confidentiality paperwork, they are agreeing that they will not talk about the client/s-I will use that word here-in any way-to anyone else.

The only time that something may even be discussed would be in relation to the service/s that the client may need, because that is work-related information for the client's benefit.

There is no gossiping allowed anywhere, or anything related to that regarding any client/s, or the employee could lose their job over that.

In my opinion, if someone is going to accuse someone else of fraud, then they should have something to back it up-some kind of evidence or proof of what the person is doing-and not just speculate on what they assume someone else may be doing.

Margo Channing · ‎03-09-2010

@Beachy1 wrote:
I cannot imagine how some children live. It makes me very sad.

I could tell you stories that would break your heart.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@terrier3 wrote:
@Mominohio wrote:
Not in my world they aren't. They use the EBT card in line at the grocery, then step over to the Lotto counter and drop $20 (or more).

They stand in line with the WIC card, get a belt full of free food while punching buttons mindlessly on their iphone.

I've seen people in the grocery store with the EBT card, then seen them at Red Lobster, having a meal I can't see my way to paying for more than once a year or so.

It isn't just the few, it is millions and millions across this nation, that could do more, but aren't going to unless someone makes them. And when people like the OP, who isn't asking for the abolishing of the federal lunch program, even hint that there is fraud and abuse in a government program (oh the horror for her to even suspect such!!), she it told she is worse than they are.

Think how much better those truly in need could be helped, if those that don't need it or don't use it wisely were knocked out of the system?

Staggering that people don't see this.
What I find staggering is that you check out people's use of benefit cards and then remember their faces and silently criticize them for eating at a restaurant.
I find it staggering that you take personal anecdotes and extrapolate that to characterize people who receive benefits, yet don't or won't acknowledge the reality of who receives benefits - and for how long (average length - 8 months).
BTW - Red Lobster isn't fine dining....there are lots of coupons out there (BOGO).

I don't know what your budget is, but when we both worked full time jobs it was a treat to eat at something like Red Lobster. In my book, any restaurant meal that cost more than Denny's or Bob Evans (which around here goes for about $10 per meal per person, some higher) is extravagant, when you aren't paying for your own groceries, but letting the tax payers do it.

If I'm paying for your groceries (and I'm sure much else) then I don't feel the least bit bad making judgement with what someone is doing spending their 'discretionary" income. Don't want judged, then do for yourself, earn your own way, pay your own way, and I don't care what you do.

And 8 months of benefits is a joke. People are living off the system for a lifetime. Multi generation welfare families run rampant in many areas. I personally worked with a number of women who worked they system for every benefit they could get, and their kids are now doing the same thing. They know the amount of money they can make working and still qualify for all the programs, and make sure to stay under that amount. I'm not the one in these discussions not acknowledging the reality of who is receiving benefits.

I live in a small town, and it isn't hard to see who uses what benefits at the register. WIC is still done here with paper cards, and it hold up the line forever while the cashier processes that belt full of free food.

And I'm old enough to remember when food stamps were just that, a booklet of stamps that the cashier had to tear out and deal with, then ring the non qualifying items separately. Not exactly hard to not notice.

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@missy1 wrote:
@Mominohio wrote:
@terrier3 wrote:
@Isobel Archer wrote:
Of course The Martian was a movie. But it had a good - if apparently obsolete - message.

When you are up against it - you do whatever it takes. You figure it out.
The vast majority of people receiving SNAP benefits are children, the elderly and the WORKING poor.
They are doing "whatever it takes."
Not in my world they aren't. They use the EBT card in line at the grocery, then step over to the Lotto counter and drop $20 (or more).

They stand in line with the WIC card, get a belt full of free food while punching buttons mindlessly on their iphone.

I've seen people in the grocery store with the EBT card, then seen them at Red Lobster, having a meal I can't see my way to paying for more than once a year or so.

It isn't just the few, it is millions and millions across this nation, that could do more, but aren't going to unless someone makes them. And when people like the OP, who isn't asking for the abolishing of the federal lunch program, even hint that there is fraud and abuse in a government program (oh the horror for her to even suspect such!!), she it told she is worse than they are.

Think how much better those truly in need could be helped, if those that don't need it or don't use it wisely were knocked out of the system?

Staggering that people don't see this.

You are making assumptions like the OP. Somebody could have bought them the iphone, or buying the lottery tickets for someone else, or gave them a gift card. etc.

Some people also assume popping out a bunch of babies and it's a free ride. Here you can only get cash benefits for a few months. It's not a whole lot and if you meet the criteria, you have to work for them for free. Food stamps are only a supplement and don't cover the whole month. Food is expensive.

Did you know if someone pays your bills directly it does not count as income to report?

I don't assume anything. I have had people in my family that use and abuse the system. I had employees that worked for me that did. I went to school with kids who's parents made a profession of it. It is rampant. I see it, I know it. I worked with one woman who purposely gave birth to 9 children, was receiving over $800 a month in food stamps (and this was in the early 90's) and was proud to brag about it. She would tell those of us that made our own way, did without and struggled that we were fools. And she had lots of friends just like her.

What I think, is there are posters on here that never knew (or didn't want to know) people who take from the system, cheat, commit fraud, make it a permanent lifestyle, and don't want to. It is just easier to excuse it away, assume that most all people are being honest and truly need what they take.

Then there are those who may have been raised on the system, or used it at one time when they did need it , and think that because they didn't abuse it, no one does, and don't want to be judged because they did take help,

Lila Belle · ‎01-24-2013

What an awful life you must have !

Mominohio · ‎08-08-2010

@Margo Channing wrote:
@terrier3 wrote:
@Mominohio wrote:

I don't disagree with you, but most of the women who have 8 babies for the financial gain, started out living in the system that gave them free lunch and free housing, and free medical care and free......

It is the only way of life they know, and it has become easier to get these services, and there are more of them than ever before.

So simply giving every child (as opposed to those that absolutely need it) free lunch will only increase the ranks of the entitled, because they never learn someone has to work to pay for all of this.
I have been a family counselor for years...and a community director right out of grad school.
I NEVER met a woman who had 8 children to "make money."
There are far easier ways to hustle.
The " Food Stamp Queen" is a myth.

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Sadly, it is no myth. As someone who was in education for 20 years I have seen and heard students who tell me {or others} that mom is having yet another one because one of her children aged out. I also had a student whoes mother, pregnant with her sixth, kept urging her {the student} to get pregnant rather than attendng Cosmeology school.

You may think it's a myth, but it is very much a way to keep the benefits rolling in.

@Margo Channing

I, too worked with a woman that was encouraging her 17 year old daughter to quit school, get pregnant, not marry the father, and get on the system for all she could get. It would bring the money, food, etc. into their household, and she wouldn't have to work full time if the daughter could pull in some benefits to add the the family budget.

People can claim that I and others are assuming much. I don't have to assume, these people tell all, and are proud of it.

lovesrecess · ‎03-14-2010

I worked in public schools for 35 years and I understand your concerns about the free/reduced lunch program. Be careful not to assume some are undeserving because of how they look or because they own a home...there are medical bills, layoffs, deaths, and other circumstances that can put a family into a situation where they need the assistance. Am sure some are not following the rules, but many may need the help even if they don't appear to be needy.