Author Topic: USA how much do they pay you if you don't work?  (Read 3240 times)

dachs

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USA how much do they pay you if you don't work?
« on: August 24, 2014, 10:27:11 AM »
What happens if you have never worked and don't find a job? Does the government pay you anything in that case? Because in Germany they'll pay you 300+€ + a flat and health care etc.

That equals a net worth of almost 300 000€ according to the 4% rule (or 3% because of tax here).

rubybeth

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Re: USA how much do they pay you if you don't work?
« Reply #1 on: August 24, 2014, 10:57:17 AM »
I'm sure others have more experience with this info., but in the US, if you've never worked and choose not to (like you're able to work, you're not disabled, etc.), then you would basically have to apply for whatever programs your state has for the poor. In the US, each state might have different requirements for the programs. You wouldn't automatically 'get' anything, but would have to apply for various programs (food assistance, housing assistance, medical assistance, and so on). You wouldn't qualify for social security if you've never worked, unless you were married to someone who worked and could claim their benefit. If you were disabled (either physically or mentally), and unable to work, you'd perhaps qualify for social security disability, but sometimes even people who are disabled don't technically qualify for this program. If you were a veteran, you may have other options, but you would have had to serve in the military in some form. If you worked, but got laid off, you could qualify for unemployment insurance, but that generally has a limit and its own requirements that also vary by state.

theonethatgotaway

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Re: USA how much do they pay you if you don't work?
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2014, 09:58:33 PM »
My SIL uk, got pregnant. She decided to quit working her low paying job, went on benefits and was immediately put in a nice single semi detached house in a fancy area with all bills paid and food and medical and all. She just went to her local council office and signed up.

That (the method which you are describing) does not exist here in the US. For the most part if you do not work, you end up homeless. You have to prove a lot to get on any sort of welfare and it's nothing to really help boost your livelyhood.


Prepube

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Re: USA how much do they pay you if you don't work?
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2014, 10:35:43 PM »
Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) is the current name of our welfare system in the US, and all states have to follow federal guidelines for work activities in order to receive funds. And... Something most people forget and many republicans ignore when bitching about the welfare system, there is a 60 month lifetime limit on receiving TANF, so if a TANF recipient does not take advantage of work training programs offered by their state/county program, they are SOL after five years.

Supplemental Security Income is available to support people who have never worked and who are unlikely to obtain and retain gainful employment, and SSDI is available to people with disabilities who have worked enough quarters to qualify.  Public housing is determined by local jurisdictions and is supplemented by federal funds, food stamps and WIC are also available under local and state rules.