Lost job, qualify for free/reduced meals, etc.?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Assets are not checked when qualifying for benefits. You will qualify for meals for your child. Keep in mind that qualifying for this also qualifies you for free/subsidized field trips, sports, etc. Basically most schools will wave other school expenses if you already qualified for FARM (Free and Reduced Meals.) You will also qualify for heating and cooling ("energy") assistance where they will pay your heating bills in the winter and your cooling bills in the summer. I know because my friend used to work there. They look at income only.

This link includes energy assistance information and other services for low income.

Actually, some are, some aren’t. You don’t want to be dishonest as it can disqualify you when you really need them. Food stamps, energy and other programs are checked. I used to work for them.

[Anonymous]

Child support from your ex still isn't enough to make ends meet until your severance runs out and/or unemployment kicks in and/or find another job?

You might have to re-frame your lifestyle, discretionary spending, and overall expenses, but youre certainly not at the threshold of "poor" to trigger free food from FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Child support from your ex still isn't enough to make ends meet until your severance runs out and/or unemployment kicks in and/or find another job?

You might have to re-frame your lifestyle, discretionary spending, and overall expenses, but youre certainly not at the threshold of "poor" to trigger free food from FCPS.

Its unlikely the cs has been modified if they just lost their job a month ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Child support from your ex still isn't enough to make ends meet until your severance runs out and/or unemployment kicks in and/or find another job?

You might have to re-frame your lifestyle, discretionary spending, and overall expenses, but youre certainly not at the threshold of "poor" to trigger free food from FCPS.

Its unlikely the cs has been modified if they just lost their job a month ago.

So maybe Op should consider adjusting the child support sooner rather than later.

[Anonymous]

You should call your state on this as programs vary state to state. My DC was on unemployment after losing a job and the state offered DC a pretty generous food benefit as a single person (as well as free health insurance). DC turned it down because he didn't feel right taking it, but in retrospect probably should have taken the benefit.

[Anonymous]

It can be hard to get unemployment. What I mean by that is that a lot of places have very specific requirements in order to get paid for unemployment. In some places you have to check in weekly. Once you haven't applied right / followed all of the rules you won't get back pay. Make sure you've done everything that's needed.

Additionally, yes, you should apply to have child support changed.

Certainly you can apply for FARMs. This might get you a break on aftercare/beforecare as well.

If the money you're referring to is in your 401K, you don't need to immediately plan on liquidating it. Your retirement matters too and you may only be unemployed for a short time.

Another thing to think about is health insurance. Can the kids be on your ex-husband's insurance if they were on yours?

But yes, also, conserve your money by going to food pantries. You're who they're for.

There are also breaks you can get on utilities if you are low income, so you could look into that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Assets are not checked when qualifying for benefits. You will qualify for meals for your child. Keep in mind that qualifying for this also qualifies you for free/subsidized field trips, sports, etc. Basically most schools will wave other school expenses if you already qualified for FARM (Free and Reduced Meals.) You will also qualify for heating and cooling ("energy") assistance where they will pay your heating bills in the winter and your cooling bills in the summer. I know because my friend used to work there. They look at income only.

This link includes energy assistance information and other services for low income.

Actually, some are, some aren’t. You don’t want to be dishonest as it can disqualify you when you really need them. Food stamps, energy and other programs are checked. I used to work for them.

Fairfax county does NOT check assets for energy programs. Income only. Maybe other counties do. Same with free and reduced meals. I agree OP should be honest with her answers, but she should take advantage of as many programs as she qualifies for guilt-free and MANY programs do not have an asset test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Child support from your ex still isn't enough to make ends meet until your severance runs out and/or unemployment kicks in and/or find another job?

You might have to re-frame your lifestyle, discretionary spending, and overall expenses, but youre certainly not at the threshold of "poor" to trigger free food from FCPS.

You are flat out wrong.

[Anonymous]

If op gets benefits that means the system is a scam and the loop hole needs to be closed.

[Anonymous]

Wow trump is right medcaid has a lot of scams like op time to look a little closer

[Anonymous]

I’m your kids’ teacher and my kids qualify for reduced priced meals. With that amount in savings, you won’t qualify.

[Anonymous]

Why can’t you use some of that $200k?

[Anonymous]

Take the benefits you can get and payback to others when you are back on your feet. That’s what it is there for.

[Anonymous]

Might also qualify for discounted internet service.

[Anonymous]

I needed FARMS for my school aged kid when I divorced. We didn’t qualify because of assets —only I couldn’t sell those assets due to the divorce.