Tired of the Government

The rich get richer while the poor stays poorer. Well that is just a load of malarky.  The poor is allowed to receive free housing, food, utilities, clothing, and cash. Granted it's not a lot of cash but it's cash nonetheless.  They are given an opportunity to rise out of poverty because they are provided with training and employment that would not be readily available to the masses. 

 

If you think I'm blowing smoke out my ass, here are some examples:

 

Need a Job and a way to get to that Job

The Welfare to Work program is offered and funded by PennDot which helps low income families in 31 counties get to work on reduced fares on share ride services, purchase of a car, reduced insurance rates, reduced car repair, mileage reimbursement and driver training. People who are on the Welfare to Work program can use either bus services, share ride services or use their own vehicle.
Governor Rendell states "this program is critical to helping people overcome transportation barriers that previously prevented them from working. By offering them a chance to be independent and provide for themselves and their families, we are crating a better future for them and their children."

 

Do you want a house

Under the ''homeownership option''of the Housing Choice Voucher Program, a public housing agency (PHA) may choose to provide monthly tenant based assistance to an eligible family that purchases a dwelling unit that will be occupied by the family. The regulatory requirements governing the homeownership option are located in subpart M of HUD's regulations for the Housing Choice Voucher Program at 24 CFR part 982. Subpart M describes program requirements for special housing types, where assistance is provided with voucher program funds under the consolidated annual contributions contract. This interim rule provides that properties owned or substantially controlled by a PHA are eligible for purchase under the homeownership option. The current homeownership option regulations are unclear regarding the eligibility of PHA-owned units. This interim rule amends § 982.628 of the homeownership option regulations, which concerns the eligibility of units, to specify that a PHA may provide homeownership assistance for the purchase of a PHA-owned unit. The inclusion of PHA-owned units in the universe of eligible units will expand the availability of housing and affordable homeownership opportunities for voucher families participating in the homeownership option. New § 982.628(c) provides that PHAowned units are eligible for purchase through the homeownership option, but provides that an independent entity must perform certain administrative duties for which the PHA would normally be responsible. The independent entity must review the contract of sale, conduct the initial housing quality standards (HQS) inspection, and review the independent inspection report. In addition, the independent entity must determine the reasonableness of the sales price and any PHA provided financing.

Here we have some Q&A regarding the Homeownership Voucher Program:

If I wish to purchase my first home but need help meeting the monthly mortgage and other homeownership expenses, is there a program that will help me?
Yes, it is called the Homeownership Voucher Program.

If I am currently a participant in the Housing Choice Voucher program and receive rental assistance, can I use my voucher to buy a home and receive monthly assistance in meeting homeownership expenses?
Yes, if your local PHA participates in the homeownership voucher program, and you meet income and other eligibility requirements.

If I get on a waiting list for a voucher, is there any special preference for me because I want to purchase a home?
No. There is no preference based on the fact that you desire to use your voucher for homeownership.

Are there any standards for the home to be purchased under this program?
The home must pass an initial housing quality standards inspection conducted by the PHA and an independent home inspection before the PHA may approve the purchase by the family.

What families are eligible to apply for homeownership vouchers?
Families must meet these requirements: First-time homeowner or cooperative member. No family member has owned or had ownership interest in their residence for at least three years. Except for cooperative members, no member of the family has any ownership interest in any residential property. Minimum income requirement. Except in the case of disabled families, the qualified annual income of the adult family members who will own the home must not be less than the Federal minimum hourly wage multiplied by 2,000 hours. For disabled families, the qualified annual income of the adult family members who will own the home must not be less than the monthly Federal Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit for an individual living alone multiplied by 12. The PHA may also establish a higher minimum income requirement for either or both types of families. Except in the case of an elderly or disabled family, welfare assistance is not counted in determining whether the family meets the minimum income requirement. Employment requirement. Except in the case of elderly and disabled families, one or more adults in the family who will own the home is currently employed on a full-time basis and has been continuously employed on a full-time basis for at least one year before commencement of homeownership assistance. Additional PHA eligibility requirements. The family meets any other initial eligibility requirements set by the PHA.
Homeownership counseling. The family must attend and satisfactorily complete the PHA's pre-assistance homeownership and housing counseling program.

What are monthly homeownership expenses?
Monthly homeownership expenses include:

1. Mortgage principal and interest,
2. Mortgage insurance premium,
3. Real estate taxes and homeowner insurance,
4. PHA allowance for utilities,
5. PHA allowance for routine maintenance costs,
6. PHA allowance for major repairs and replacements,
7. Principal and interest on debt to finance major repairs and replacements for the home, and
8. Principal and interest on debt to finance costs to make the home accessible for a family member with disabilities if the PHA determines it is needed as a reasonable accommodation.

How much financial assistance can PHAs provide in each voucher?
The PHA uses its normal voucher program payment standard schedule to determine the amount of subsidy. The housing assistance payment (HAP) is the lesser of either the payment standard minus the total tenant payment or the family's monthly homeownership expenses minus the total tenant payment. The PHA may make the HAP payment directly to the family or to the lender.

What is the total monthly tenant payment?
For purposes of calculating the amount of financial assistance to be provided by the PHA, the monthly tenant payment is generally 30% of the family's adjusted monthly income. For more information about how to determine total tenant payment contact your local PHA.

What do I have to pay each month?
You have to pay at least the total tenant payment (approximately 30% of adjusted monthly income). However, if you purchase a home that has monthly expenses higher than those covered by the total of the financial assistance provided by the PHA together with the tenant payment (30% of income), any additional amount will have to be paid by the family. To keep families from purchasing a home that will result in a payment the family cannot afford, the PHA, may set affordability limits for their program.

How long can a family receive assistance under this program?
There is no time limit for an elderly household or a disabled family. For all other families, there is a mandatory term limit of 15 years if the initial mortgage incurred to finance purchase of the home has a term that is 20 years or longer, and for all other cases the maximum term of homeownership assistance is 10 years.

 

Do you need electricity/gas to heat the home or watch TV?

 

Home Heating Assistance (LIHEAP)

Beginning November 1,2010 through January 2, 2011, households without heat may qualify for additional help. To be considered "without heat":

The main heating source or second heating source (a source that is used to operate the main heating source or used if the main heating source is not working) has been completely shut-off;

A household has almost run out of their supply of main heating fuel (coal, fuel oil, kerosene, propane, wood, etc.). 
Households in need of a Crisis Exception grant should contact their local county assistance office.

Beginning January 3, 2011, additional money may be available if you have an emergency situation and are in jeopardy of losing your heat.

Emergency situations include:

Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced

Lack of fuel

Termination of utility service

Danger of being without fuel (less than a 15 day supply) or of having utility service terminated (received a notice that service will be shut off within the next 60 days)

 

Are you hungry?

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

As of Oct. 1, 2008, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program. The new name reflects the changes we've made to meet the needs of our clients, including a focus on nutrition and an increase in benefit amounts.  SNAP is the federal name for the program. State programs may have different names.

SNAP operates under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended.  Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) staff write rules (regulations) to implement the Act and changes in it, and publish those rules in the Federal Register.  On occasion, FNS grants waivers of sections of the rules to State agencies to allow deviations from standard procedures to allow for temporary conditions, to allow more effective and efficient administration, or to accommodate unique local conditions.  Listed below is the gross income allowed, at 130% poverty level, to participate in SNAP

 

1	$1,174	$1,466	$1,350
2	1,579	1,973	1,816
3	1,984	2,480	2,282
4	2,389	2,987	2,748
5	2,794	3,494	3,214
6	3,200	4,001	3,679
7	3,605	4,508	4,145
8	4,010	5,015	4,611
Each Additional Member	+406	+507	+466

 

I could say more but I am getting angier by the minute.  Everyone should have these benefits or none at all.  We know the government is not giving them to everyone so let's just do away with them.