A neighbor on Everyblock Chicago made this statement:“Is it not enough that Section 8 pays the rent, link buys the food, green card pays the medical benefits, working tax payers support the schools….”
Let me clarify that this person was referring to people who make a living off of collecting benefits with no intention of working. Ever.
What are your thoughts on this statement? Do you think low-income individuals get too many benefits?
Interested in hearing what your readers have to say. I know what my neighbors would say
I only received a couple responses on my Facebook page, but there was lots of conversation on EveryBlock Chicago under the Curfew topic.
On one hand, I understand your point of view. I have seen first hand how some people use, misuse, and abuse the opportunities that are offered by the city, county, state, and federal programs. Some are plain greedy and feel a sense of entitlement because they consider it “free money”. Some are generationally conditioned to being in the system. Allow me to give an example. I have a few family members of different generations who span in age from their 20’s to their 80’s. In the 1950’s when a well known CHA development was erected she moved in, got married, and had 4 children. As the 4 children grew up, the only male went on to the service, married and moved away. Two of the daughters then automatically were given their own apartments when they turned 18 and had children. In the mid to late 80’s when it was decided to offer the tenants Section 8, my 2nd generation cousins took the opportunity and moved into single family homes or apartments. In the 90’s the 3rd generation was offered the opportunity to come back to the developments remaining buildings. Then they also were given the Section 8 option. Subsidized housing has been afforded to them and their offspring as though it is their birthright. Keep in mind that the remaining sister who had no children, lived in the same apartment originally occupied by her mother, until she was offered a unit in the brand new, state of art, high end finish developments. BUT WAIT…. THERES MORE…. The 2nd generation, now in their 50’s and 60’s are working and almost at retirement age. They have purchased multi-unit buildings in their spouses names and are renting to their children and other relatives under the Section 8 program. So they are “gainfully employed”, married to “gainfully employed” men, collecting federal money and taking the 30% rent that their “tenants” pay for the water bills, taxes, and heating. With all of that….. mind you, that if you have no income(employment, unemployment, TANF, SSI, SSDI, Child Support) your rent is 30% of $0. A decent wage would make their rent increase so most work low-level jobs with no room for growth. Factor in….the less you make, the more SNAP/Link you get, they get child care payments from the state in friends names claiming they work at the local beauty supply store where Mr. Chow pays them cash under the table. They are caught in a cycle.
All I can really saw is Wow!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience on this topic. I am not familiar with all of the benefits that are offered, just a few. And you are correct, at some point in our lives, we will need government assistance.