One thing I hate about government benefits.

[FreshStart1]

Now that I work two jobs, I am over the limit for food stamps, and close to losing my medicaid.

Between food stamps and medicaid, the cost of those two benefits was around $500 per month.

Which means that I have to earn another $500/mo ON TOP of the extra money I get to make up for it.

Which also means I will have more of my income taken out to pay for my student loans.

Which will also possibly put me into a higher tax bracket, meaning EVEN MORE money taken out.

It really seems to be that it's actually cheaper in some ways to be poor than it is to be slightly above poor but not middle class.

Not sure whose idea it was, but it's stupid and sucks, quite frankly.

[guillaumeb]

1. Welcome to DU.

Imagine a country where the discussion focused on a living wage.

And benefits.

And school with no tuition.

And a war budget that did not consume 1 trillion a year.

And the 1% paying much higher taxes.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. I have on occasion read suggestions

about how to better phase out those benefits as a worker's income rises. I can't recall any specifics, but there ought to be a "hold harmless" provision.

Personally, I think everyone in the country should get food stamps. It would help people understand how important they are. And for those who don't really need the benefit, they could find some way to assign their amount to someone who really needs it. And basic healthcare ought to be something we all get.

Do keep in mind that increases in tax are on the marginal rate. You only get more money taken out on the additional you earn, not on your entire income.