How do you "abuse" WIC?

breezey2323

Do you drink the formula yourself and not share with your LO?

I can understand abusing welfare, food stamps, section 8 even, but WIC? Short of selling it, which is so low, I cannot think how someone would abuse this program...

Care to share?

jlb7640

Octomom is getting on WIC.  She has no income but she has money in the bank from all these donations.

I also heard on CNN another woman driving a luxury car who had $80K in the bank but had no income.  She was allowed to stay on WIC.

*crunchy*

Saying you need it when you BF and selling Formula on Craigs List. 

goodtobethelarkster

I'm sure there's a way to abuse WIC.  There's a way to abuse anything... You could use the money you save on formula for booze and hookers, I guess.

And obviously no one is pro using formula money on booze and hookers.  Everyone is all for people not abusing stuff except for the people who are busy abusing stuff. 

I just don't see how the fact that there are some a$$hats running around abusing stuff means that an entire program is bad. 

The "Wall Street Fat Cats" who orchestrated mortgage traunches abused the system.  And no one is suggesting that we should just not have financial markets any more.  They're just suggesting that we put regulations in place to minimize douchebaggery. 

And putting regulations in place to minimize douchebaggery seems fair enough for Wall Street and for WIC.

talltalltrees

I think this refers to people who have multiple children they clearly can't afford with the mindset of "oh I'll just get WIC."

jlb7640

I am writing a letter to my Congressman about reducing douchebaggery in the financial markets right now.  I am using that word too.  Thanks Larks!

mrsfu

or the fact that they know WIC cannot check your income so they lie. they count cats and dogs as people, ect and so forth

JodiandMickey

I worked in a grocery store when I was in high school. There was a woman who used to come in all the time to use at least 5 WIC checks at a time. More times than I can count she would show me a new diamond ring, necklace, earrings, etc. that her husband just bought her. If they had money to buy jewelry, they had money to buy cereal and cheese.

*crunchy*

People might not like me for saying this and I am sorry if they do not I apologize. But if you require public assistance to take care of the children you have now why are you planning more children?

My friend knows she cannot afford to pay for another child in daycare she is a responsible adult and is only waiting years to have another child so she can afford to feed and care for that child herself. She is responsible and I respect her. I do not respect people who plan their next child knowing that they will require public assistance to care for it.

Please note the word PLAN. Unplanned pregnancys happen such is life you do what you have to do. I am talking planned. I do not look down on anyone for using public assistance and I fully support it.

Heather R

TTT, I seeeeee you!  I've never seen you over here before. 

::waves::

talltalltrees

Heather R:

TTT, I seeeeee you!  I've never seen you over here before. 

::waves::

Hee! sst just turned 6 mo last week, so I started lurking and just posted for the 1st time today. 

breezey2323

goodtobethelarkster:

I'm sure there's a way to abuse WIC.  There's a way to abuse anything... You could use the money you save on formula for booze and hookers, I guess.

And obviously no one is pro using formula money on booze and hookers.  Everyone is all for people not abusing stuff except for the people who are busy abusing stuff. 

I just don't see how the fact that there are some a$$hats running around abusing stuff means that an entire program is bad. 

The "Wall Street Fat Cats" who orchestrated mortgage traunches abused the system.  And no one is suggesting that we should just not have financial markets any more.  They're just suggesting that we put regulations in place to minimize douchebaggery. 

And putting regulations in place to minimize douchebaggery seems fair enough for Wall Street and for WIC.

I totally and fully agree with you. I also think that certain people love to think that the majority of the people  that use WIC are somehow abusing it.

Say we use the high lighted example above. Sure those parent suck ass and obviously put their addictions above their children's welfare. But I still don't see that as an abuse of WIC b/c if that dumbass of a mother didn't get WIC she might neglect her child's basic need for food to feed her addiction. So really, that kid might need it more than the ideal WIC recipient as sad as it is. This program is about feeding kids and if a COUPLE of low lifes some how figure out a way to hawk their cheese on the street corners, than so be it.

People's abuse of this program is the last thing on my mind when I think about who it really benefits. Times are tough for us too. We are far from rich but don't qualify for WIC. I buy DS's formula with our hard earned money and sometimes things are tight, but I still don't have a problem with this program b/c Octomom receives it and I don't.

Ok. Rant over.

citygirl_

For some reason, MULTIPLE people asked when (not if?) we were signing up for WIC and when I said we don't need it/wouldn't qualify, they told me to lie about my income and that "there's always a way around it."  That, IMO, is abusing the program.  If you can afford it, buy it.  Don't get a handout just because you can.

nbjenni

BIL and his skank wife returned their formula to K-Mart for store credit - to buy beer and a grill with. Trashtastic, I tell you. They also sold their beans/eggs/milk/etc to their neighbors. And it is no wonder their 2 year old weighs 21lbs.

And yes, I reported their abuse, but nothing ever happened.

goodtobethelarkster

breezey2323:

goodtobethelarkster:

I'm sure there's a way to abuse WIC.  There's a way to abuse anything... You could use the money you save on formula for booze and hookers, I guess.

And obviously no one is pro using formula money on booze and hookers.  Everyone is all for people not abusing stuff except for the people who are busy abusing stuff. 

I just don't see how the fact that there are some a$$hats running around abusing stuff means that an entire program is bad. 

The "Wall Street Fat Cats" who orchestrated mortgage traunches abused the system.  And no one is suggesting that we should just not have financial markets any more.  They're just suggesting that we put regulations in place to minimize douchebaggery. 

And putting regulations in place to minimize douchebaggery seems fair enough for Wall Street and for WIC.

I totally and fully agree with you. I also think that certain people love to think that the majority of the people  that use WIC are somehow abusing it.

Say we use the high lighted example above. Sure those parent suck ass and obviously put their addictions above their children's welfare. But I still don't see that as an abuse of WIC b/c if that dumbass of a mother didn't get WIC she might neglect her child's basic need for food to feed her addiction. So really, that kid might need it more than the ideal WIC recipient as sad as it is. This program is about feeding kids and if a COUPLE of low lifes some how figure out a way to hawk their cheese on the street corners, than so be it.

People's abuse of this program is the last thing on my mind when I think about who it really benefits. Times are tough for us too. We are far from rich but don't qualify for WIC. I buy DS's formula with our hard earned money and sometimes things are tight, but I still don't have a problem with this program b/c Octomom receives it and I don't.

Ok. Rant over.

I agree with you 100%.  It's not a bad program.  And if you "abuse" WIC as in use it to feed your kid because your an idiot who wants to spend your money on stupid sh!t and would spend it on stupid sh!t anyway even if that meant your kid went hungry then even though the parent is an idiot WIC is a good thing for the kid.

When it comes down to it, I get annoyed when people are like "Octomom gets WIC therefore WIC is a bad program."  Because, seriously, if we got rid of every program that a crazy or two exploited then there would be no program for anything ever. 

It's not right to think that the majority of the people who benefit from a system are abusing the system.  It's an inaccurate and prejudiced assumption.

That being said it's also not right to pretend that there aren't people who do manage to abuse the system.  It's not a reason to get rid of the system or cut back on benefits.  It is a reason to look into ways to cut back on genuine systemic abuse.

jlb7640

I only mention octomom since the OP asked how it is abused.  I think WIC is overall a good program and helps worthy families.

breezey2323

That being said it's also not right to pretend that there aren't people who do manage to abuse the system.  It's not a reason to get rid of the system or cut back on benefits.  It is a reason to look into ways to cut back on genuine systemic abuse.

That is true. I wasn't trying to pretend that they don't exist. I was honestly asking b/c I didn't know. We applied for WIC (like I said) and did not qualify by a meager amount. So, I was wondering how one abuses this particular system and silly me, I didn't even think about lying about your income... I guess you could easily b/c they are so swamped at DSHS that they wouldn't have the resources to investigate your income. I'm so not criminal mindned. I didn't even think that.

teacherjess

I think the big one is selling it. On my local Craigslist, people are always selling their WIC formula or leftovers. The dead giveaway would be the 12.9 oz. cans of Similac, and people selling like 15 or 20 of them at a time. "I bought too many extra." Really? You bought TWENTY CANS extra?

And they charge like $10 a can, too. Awful.

*crunchy*

Larks I agree with you.

I think that it is the system that needs fixed not that the program needs to be done away with. It really is upsetting how easy it is to abuse.

People who make huge sacrifices to feed their kids and do not qualify for public assistance are going to be upset when they see people in the same financial situation as them lying about income and abusing the system.

 

jenifairies

teacherjess:

I think the big one is selling it. On my local Craigslist, people are always selling their WIC formula or leftovers. The dead giveaway would be the 12.9 oz. cans of Similac, and people selling like 15 or 20 of them at a time. "I bought too many extra." Really? You bought TWENTY CANS extra?

And they charge like $10 a can, too. Awful.

I see it all the time too. Except my state only does goodstart.

You know, I got WIC for DD. dh just got a raise this month and I could easily just bring in an old paystub to requalify. But I'm not about to lie to get some free cheese and milk. We legitimately qualified before; now we don't.

breezey2323

teacherjess:

I think the big one is selling it. On my local Craigslist, people are always selling their WIC formula or leftovers. The dead giveaway would be the 12.9 oz. cans of Similac, and people selling like 15 or 20 of them at a time. "I bought too many extra." Really? You bought TWENTY CANS extra?

And they charge like $10 a can, too. Awful.

Ok. So I just looked on my local CL and sure enough. I cannot believe that! I am honestly disgusted. This makes me think about that article where that poor baby who's mom diluted his formula with water. She said they couldn't afford to buy extra and WIC didn't provide enough. The baby ended up having seizure b/c of it.I'm sure she was doing something similar. ugh! Just sick!

 

*crunchy*

breezey2323:

teacherjess:

I think the big one is selling it. On my local Craigslist, people are always selling their WIC formula or leftovers. The dead giveaway would be the 12.9 oz. cans of Similac, and people selling like 15 or 20 of them at a time. "I bought too many extra." Really? You bought TWENTY CANS extra?

And they charge like $10 a can, too. Awful.

Ok. So I just looked on my local CL and sure enough. I cannot believe that! I am honestly disgusted. This makes me think about that article where that poor baby who's mom diluted his formula with water. She said they couldn't afford to buy extra and WIC didn't provide enough. The baby ended up having seizure b/c of it.I'm sure she was doing something similar. ugh! Just sick!

 

 

I am sure too because if you needed more and told them this they would get you more. 

citygirl_

AHHH, I just looked on my CL and what do you know?  Post after post (by the same person, clearly) of multiple cans of formula.  8 posts, each with 8-10 cans of formula in each post.  How in the world does someone have that much formula?!?!??!

middlemarch26

Technically we qualify for WIC.  DH quit working for a semester to go to school and I SAH with DS.  But we have the savings to do it (and have our home and cars paid for.) 

Then I got pregnant again (major oops!).  I went to the Health Department to have my pregnancy confirmed, since we weren't on maternity coverage, and you have to fill out stuff with your income information.  The ladies there tried and tried to get me to apply for WIC.  They couldn't understand why I wouldn't.  But I just feel like even though we "qualify," we can afford to buy milk and cheese, KWIM?

*crunchy*

PP that is because your took responsibility for your family kudos to you.

Other posters they get that much because some of them BF and say they are using formula to get it and sell it. 

citygirl_

*crunchy*:

PP that is because your took responsibility for your family kudos to you.

Other posters they get that much because some of them BF and say they are using formula to get it and sell it. 

That is sick!

*crunchy*

It really is and the amount of people doing it is insane. Check out ebay.

Indychic1022

goodtobethelarkster:

breezey2323:

goodtobethelarkster:

I'm sure there's a way to abuse WIC.  There's a way to abuse anything... You could use the money you save on formula for booze and hookers, I guess.

And obviously no one is pro using formula money on booze and hookers.  Everyone is all for people not abusing stuff except for the people who are busy abusing stuff. 

I just don't see how the fact that there are some a$$hats running around abusing stuff means that an entire program is bad. 

The "Wall Street Fat Cats" who orchestrated mortgage traunches abused the system.  And no one is suggesting that we should just not have financial markets any more.  They're just suggesting that we put regulations in place to minimize douchebaggery. 

And putting regulations in place to minimize douchebaggery seems fair enough for Wall Street and for WIC.

I totally and fully agree with you. I also think that certain people love to think that the majority of the people  that use WIC are somehow abusing it.

Say we use the high lighted example above. Sure those parent suck ass and obviously put their addictions above their children's welfare. But I still don't see that as an abuse of WIC b/c if that dumbass of a mother didn't get WIC she might neglect her child's basic need for food to feed her addiction. So really, that kid might need it more than the ideal WIC recipient as sad as it is. This program is about feeding kids and if a COUPLE of low lifes some how figure out a way to hawk their cheese on the street corners, than so be it.

People's abuse of this program is the last thing on my mind when I think about who it really benefits. Times are tough for us too. We are far from rich but don't qualify for WIC. I buy DS's formula with our hard earned money and sometimes things are tight, but I still don't have a problem with this program b/c Octomom receives it and I don't.

Ok. Rant over.

I agree with you 100%.  It's not a bad program.  And if you "abuse" WIC as in use it to feed your kid because your an idiot who wants to spend your money on stupid sh!t and would spend it on stupid sh!t anyway even if that meant your kid went hungry then even though the parent is an idiot WIC is a good thing for the kid.

When it comes down to it, I get annoyed when people are like "Octomom gets WIC therefore WIC is a bad program."  Because, seriously, if we got rid of every program that a crazy or two exploited then there would be no program for anything ever. 

It's not right to think that the majority of the people who benefit from a system are abusing the system.  It's an inaccurate and prejudiced assumption.

That being said it's also not right to pretend that there aren't people who do manage to abuse the system.  It's not a reason to get rid of the system or cut back on benefits.  It is a reason to look into ways to cut back on genuine systemic abuse.

I don't think WIC is a bad program at all.  It truly helps people who need it---especially in this economy. 

I think the problem w/ Octomom is that she "can't" pay for food for her kids but can go to MAC and buy $1k worth of makeup and $1k Bebe.