I apologize ahead of time for how long this rant is, but it’s one of those things I need to get off my chest.  I will split the post up using the “more” tag, so those of you who are not interested in reading it will not have to scroll through such a long post to reach the next. 

It’s no secret that we’re struggling financially.  I’ve mentioned plenty of times that Hubby was laid off in September, and he’s still not having any luck finding a job.  The one job that he was able to get ended after a week when the boss realized he couldn’t afford the extra help he’d just hired which sent us back down the slope to financial turmoil.  I have also been job hunting for a second job without any luck.

My income combined with Hubby’s unemployment has kept the lights on and the bills paid (barely), but if one of us doesn’t find a job by the first week in December when Hubby’s unemployment benefits run out that’s all coming to an end as well. That doesn’t include feeding our family and buying other items that are essential each month.  We are blessed to have wonderful family members who keep offering to take us to dinner and/or stop by with a bag of groceries or diapers, but that won’t be enough.

I finally decided to break down and do two things I said I wouldn’t do until I absolutely have to.  I took Ellie to the health department and signed up for WIC for her then I submitted an application for SNAP.  I hated having to do this, and it made both Hubby and I feel like total crap because doing so means we aren’t providing for our family like we should.  We know we can’t help it, and we’re thankful programs like this are there to help us through the hard times. 

I could have signed up for WIC 18 months ago when I found out I was pregnant, but I chose not to because I don’t want to take advantage of a system unless I truly need it.  You wouldn’t believe how my doctor reacted when I told her I wouldn’t apply.  I asked her if she thought I needed the extra nutrition because I wasn’t getting enough, and she replied, no, but she thought all pregnant women should sign up “just because they can”.  She actually asked me if I thought I was too good for the help, and I replied that no I was not.  I just don’t see why someone should take advantage of a program they don’t truly need.  I feel like that’s just taking benefits away from those who do need it.

Now we truly need it, and that’s why I signed up.  We were approved for WIC last month, and we received a letter in the mail Saturday approving us for SNAP.  While I thought I would be relieved because I wouldn’t be stressing so much over providing the food my family needs I’m actually finding myself even more stressed out.  I’m learning how judgmental people can be, and it hurts to see how someone I don’t know can stereotype me so quickly. 

I already feel horrible when I go to use a WIC check and there is someone in line behind me.  I always try to shop with my checks at the least busy time of day when I won’t have to hold up so many people as it takes a lot more time to complete the transaction.  The cashier must check that all the food being bought is on the check and the correct brand.  Then she must fill out the check before having me sign it and checking the signature against my WIC booklet to make sure I’m the person authorized to use the check.  Some stores require the manager to come to the register and manually authorize the sale, too, and in those cases I have to stand there until a manager finally makes their way over to do so.

Continue reading the rest of the story to find out what happened to me today!