Medicaid makes working not worth it

amother

Navyblue

Sun, Oct 20 2024, 5:47 pm

That's my story. I am a SAHM because I have no degree or skills or creative talents. Any job I could get would be for such little pay that it's not worth giving up our benefits.
I actually would like to work but I don't see how. I think we calculated I would need to make 60k to be in the same life style as we are now.

amother

Topaz

Sun, Oct 20 2024, 5:50 pm

Title is absolutely correct.
Why kill myself and husbamd to work and come home with gross 140k net 90k and pay everything zero programs. Vs kollel and programs HUD free rent, food stamps free food, wic and Medicaid and CHS free babysitting all worth NET 60k. And still get discounts and kavod cuz were kollel family.

amother

Starflower

Sun, Oct 20 2024, 5:53 pm

amother Seafoam wrote:

as someone who doesn't get medicaid either I just want to give you a big hug. it can be very frustrating as it feels like the medical bills just keep coming...

she does get Medicaid though

oneofakind

Sun, Oct 20 2024, 6:05 pm

Marketplace in NJ is expensive with the high deductible,restrictive because nobody takes Amerihealth and lousy care because good specialists don't take it.
With Medicaid you have many more options besides for being free.

amother

Chambray ↓

Sun, Oct 20 2024, 6:40 pm

amother Topaz wrote:

Always felt this way
But we still worked like crazy, husband was in kollel (I just posted on the how did you buy house without help thread not sure the title but that's the concept of that thread)
How else do people buy houses without any support? How else do you save up money? Now that we have a house bh, I've been contemplating it more.

At this point, I am seriously considering working less. If I only make 30,000 less I can be eligable for essential plan. Now currently paying post tax dollars 2,000 monthly for insurance for my family through obama care. This amount times 12 months comes out to more than the 30,000 pretax dollars so it really does not make sense to keep earning more than the essential plan bracket amount, unless my income goes up around 30,000 pretax more so we can actually feel the extra money. Issue is I work for my passion as well as income, and don't feel I can just stop helping when Hashem has bentched me and I have a specialty that helps so many.

amother

Chocolate ↓

Sun, Oct 20 2024, 6:45 pm

amother Topaz wrote:

Oh its NET waaay more than 60k. When you add HUD, Food stamps, wic, medicaid, CHS, HEAP, EIC... and when you add what you're actually making you're NETTING over 100k. Do the math.

amother

Lemonlime

Sun, Oct 20 2024, 7:04 pm

amother Chocolate wrote:

Oh its NET waaay more than 60k. When you add HUD, Food stamps, wic, medicaid, CHS, HEAP, EIC... and when you add what you're actually making you're betting over 100k. Do the math.

Take out HUD from the equitation,
you can't get on it any more, and it's not free rent

amother

Buttercup ↓

Sun, Oct 20 2024, 10:11 pm

Yep.
DH used to have amazing job with fantastic benefits. Of course he opened his mouth and slacked off and lost it. My job puts us over the limit...
Kids get Medicaid but us adults don't. No SNAP or any programs besides WIC (which we technically wouldn't by income but because the kid under 5 qualifies we get). The income limits are so tight.

Now I have to think twice before doing anything. Buying a single item. Does my son really need another shirt or can he wear the same two? (Walmart, daycare kid so no uniform and it is daily).

We are collapsing.
Why do I work 40 hours a week?!?

amother

Sapphire ↓

Sun, Oct 20 2024, 10:28 pm

amother Buttercup wrote:

Why do you think it would be better if you didn't work? You're only paying medical insurance for you as a couple. Your kids already have Medicaid. Snap calculates everything down to the penny and most people only qualify for a little. You already get Wic.

There are no programs for diapers or shirts or anything like that. Programs don't pay most bills, full stop.

amother

↑ Chocolate

Sun, Oct 20 2024, 10:38 pm

amother Sapphire wrote:

Yes there is. Earned income credit and child tax credit. Some people live on it all year.

amother

Poppy

Sun, Oct 20 2024, 10:49 pm

We are far from rich but when I finally got kicked off of Medicaid after being on for 4 years due to covid… I looked at the income chart and said even if I get pregnant with triplets I won’t be eligible for Medicaid when pregnant unless I quit my (very PT) job.

amother

↑ Chambray

Sun, Oct 20 2024, 11:12 pm

amother Sapphire wrote:

BTW you can get diapers through medicaid insurance once a child is passed typical toilet training age/or has a diagnosis. If a child is bedwetting over age of 3.5 can also get diapers covered.
Need prescription from Dr, and there are more than 3 places in bklyn that process and deliver monthly. I don't want to post my screen name as gave way too much info recently on this site, but if you need specific pharmacy details I'll figure out a way to share with you somehow

amother

Chicory

Sun, Oct 20 2024, 11:19 pm

amother Chambray wrote:

Diapers as in diapers or like pull-ups?

amother

Ruby

Mon, Oct 21 2024, 12:10 am

This is a very true point.
The system in the USA is broken.
It is an absolute numbers game.
Unfortunately, once you get stuck in it, you really can’t find a way out.
We are a very large family KAH and we can earn over $120K legally and still qualify for many benefits.
My husband works many hours to make it work for our family but
I work a minimum wage job for the minimum amount of hours a week.
I get benefits for working (child care subsidy) and I am paying into social security.
We get $20,000 a year in Snap, a few thousand for WIC, medicaid, child care subsidy etc.
We work very hard and we serve the klal.
we do NOT live rich. no vacation, limited help, no chol hamoed adventures, no fancy meat or treats.

If I want to increase my earnings, I would actually have to earn 60,000 just to cover the DIFFERENCE of what my benefits are. I would have to work CONSTANTLY to earn that money (on top of what I already earn).
I would need a new career and a business plan, and I wouldn’t even come out on top.
I would just break even.

Yes, the system in the USA does not encourage people to work unless they can earn A LOT of money- not just a little.

It really doesn’t make sense for me to add to my earnings.