TANF: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

[@MrZer093]

A gem from Reddit: There was a thread asking people “what’s classy if you’re rich but trashy if you’re poor?” and the top reply was “getting government money”.

[@millsykooksy4863]

it's so true

[@DefenestrateYourself]

🔥

[@letsRegulateSociopaths]

just ask Elon Musk....

[@zoer7338]

👍

[@gt9359]

That is so terribly true to Maga American Dreamthink, it made me gasp. Then I remembered what I was commenting on and felt better. Then angry. But better.

[@AnexoRialto]

My grandfather left his family so that my grandmother could claim aid to dependent children at the height of the great depression after he lost his job on the railroad. He lived in a park and my grandmother would bring him food. The obsession with poor people being lazy while rich people are "hard working" while they rob the system is part of American culture.

[@Sweetyhide]

I know that was very hard for them. My husband and I almost divorced (on paper) to get help. We barely made it through holding it off until his disability came through.

[@Wolf950]

Okay, so what point are you making? That white people get help from the colonizer government and everyone else should go fuck themselves?

[@rainbowglittergang1801]

The ones yelling about people on welfare being lazy are the same ones with major tax write offs government subsidies, grants and loans with low interest rates. They like to hog it all for themselves. They hate anyone else getting help.

[@Wolf950]

@@Sweetyhide whoa is you! You're completely missing the point of this video, and are in fact part of the fucking problem

[@Sweetyhide]

@@Wolf950 So what is the point and why am I part of the problem?

[@CortexNewsService]

My husband and I were able to get emergency assistance once. This was back in 2010. We got completely screwed by the great recession. I lost my job when the media industry collapsed. We had done everything you're supposed to. Had savings for six months of expenses, cut unnecessary spending, treated looking for work like a job. We did everything we were supposed and still wound up having to move in with my parents. Two years later, we're both working as close to full time as you can get at Walmart and still had to choose between food and rent. We were going to the food bank. We had to drain every single account we had. We were literally down to using loose change. THAT'S when we got emergency assistance. Even in a blue state like Illinois. We got a single month. Which was enough to survive. But it was so degrading applying and literally begging for help. 13 years later, I'm doing okay. My husband passed away and I'm pretty sure the fact we couldn't afford medical care for so long contributed to it. But I do have a good job and now own my own home. But I still remember what it was like to struggle like that and how people kept making it feel like it was our fault. What this country does to its poor is a crime.

[@kishmeesh]

I hope you are healing well 💛

[@ariw9405]

JC I’m so sorry you had to endure this! We should not accept as the richest country in the history of the world that we can not take care of those who need it most. So sorry for the loss of your husband.

[@timmc8444]

More people like yourseld need to speak up!

[@Rags2Riches762]

So sorry 😢for your loss

[@dustindhansen]

I think about situations like yours whenever someone beats their chest and proudly proclaims that the United States is the greatest country in the world.

[@freden9234]

During the Reagan era, I was a self supporting, very poor college student. I managed with the help of food stamps, Pell grants and a work study job. When I was badly injured in a car accident and couldn’t work, I lost my food stamps due to the new requirements that food stamp recipients work. If not for handouts from a friend who worked at the local Jiffy factory, I wouldn’t have had any food to eat. I went on to graduate and have a great career, but those years were truly hellish. Just hearing this story brings back the frustration and anger I felt back then.

[@judiemeierfranz4329]

That Reagan era that GOP like to slobber over was terrible for not those wealthy or a certain "class" or status. I often hear people growl and screech about people need to work. There are people like you who couldn't work. Also, Reagan severely cut programs in the JTPA, a WORK program and it's affiliate SYETP for 14 - 21 years old to work, get work counseling, and improve school grades - very successful programs. Reagan and company cut those drastically, too.

[@KC86862]

and so many are happy to ignore that their tax cuts ARE help from the government. to continue their privilege in a certain way.

[@KC86862]

if a family gets $100 in food stamps somehow that’s so egregious- but $1000 tax reduction because of ownership of a home that the other family can’t buy… that’s perfect. such shit.

[@panzaverde20]

Socialist, Cater was better then Reagan and I'm entitled to have food on my table throu the government 🤡🤡🤡🤡.

[@shannonb3499]

I've met a couple medical school students who more than qualify for food stamps but can't meet the 15 hour/week work requirements because of, well, being in medical school

[@52ndgalacticempress]

I volunteered at a local food bank on the phones registering parents for the WIC program. I cannot convey just how embarrassed and frustrated the individuals calling in to get help were. It was absolutely heartbreaking. No one WANTS to be on any assistance program. I assured them I was getting them registered only to help and zero judgement was attached: everyone has their own story. I volunteered for two years for only a couple hours a week and spoke with hundreds of people. There was only one person I spoke with who was super rude and demanded assistance. Everyone else did not want to be calling in! Anyone saying poor people are just looking for handouts has never actually spoken to people and need to gain a little humanity.

[@Tinil0]

I never got TANF, but I can remember applying for SNAP and just apologizing over and over...The shame for being poor and needing help is overwhelming in this country.

[@gretchen8100]

@Tinil0 Same here. I got laid off at 7 mos pregnant, by which time I was walking with a cane because of excruciating sciatica. In Kansas, to stay on unemployment and/or SNAP, you have to submit at least two job applications PER WEEK. I remember the social worker explaining this, and asking "hon, what are you gonna do?" And all I could do was smile and say, "I don't know".

[@KitC916]

​@@Tinil0 It's not even ADEQUATE help. I hope they talk about SSI soon.

[@Tinil0]

@@KitC916 Oh man, yeah, what an absolute clusterfuck. I actually am disabled too, but if you don't have the work credits for SSDI SSI is an absolute joke. They really, really don't care about disabled people unless you were a good worker bee. You literally cannot survive on SSI...

[@CheyenneLeHale]

Using the benefits is somehow more embarrassing than applying for them. Whenever I would go to Wal-Mart, with my baby, I would wear a fake wedding ring, so the cashiers wouldn't make cruel comments about me being unwed. It was horrible.

[@garrettlancaster3979]

as a local Mississippian, Thank you for bringing up and briefly covering the Favre scandal. I feel like around here, it's been mostly swept under the rug.

[@donsolos]

Yeah because the state governor was involved in this. Gotta keep any spotlight she'd on this issue focused on favre and not the rampantly corrupt system that creates these situations. If we focused on that we might actually be able to fix something. What a laughable notion

[@letsRegulateSociopaths]

I am sure it is the tip of the iceberg... check politicians families and I bet you find 10X as much going to them...

[@jimbranscomb4350]

As a white guy that was seriously injured and had no choice but to apply for welfare in California many years ago, it's ridiculous the way people are treated. I was constantly "tested" as to if I could work. I went to the office of vocational rehabilitation every 2 weeks which for me at the time was extremely difficult, I was receiving 400 per month. Obviously couldn't pay rent, and I was declared unemployable by the state of California, but still couldn't receive social security. Luckily I had friends that helped me immensely, but that whole system is brutal. To this day, I get angry whenever I hear people say "they should just get a job".

[@leavingitblank9363]

The testing is unfortunate, but they have to do something because there are too many who take advantage of the system, whether it's TANF, welfare, disability, or even COVID relief. It's heartbreaking when you hear about how much money went to people who spent it on luxury cars and lavish vacations.

[@randyjenkins8896]

@@leavingitblank9363 can you please explain what corporations and politicians did to prove they were reliable... oh right they didn't yet shamelessly waste while telling other what they can't do.... the rigging is so obvious...

[@GentlemanNietzsche]

@@leavingitblank9363 turn off Fox News

[@leavingitblank9363]

@@GentlemanNietzsche Turn on ANY news. Do try to keep up.

[@Fragenzeichenplatte]

​​@@leavingitblank9363 Lol you think welfare allows people to buy luxury cars and vacations. No, seriously, lol. You need to watch the video to see who the real thieves are and it's not poor people. It's rich colleges and rich guys like Bret Favre.

[@owatson7648]

Yep my mom tried to apply for TANF when I was younger, but she was a single mom and they wanted to track down my dad before giving her money. Conveniently for them, they don't consider the possibilities of abusive partners, and how contacting my dad would have put the both of us at risk for retaliation.

[@pennyproud1621]

They do ask you now if you're worried about abuse or have been abused by the absent parent.

[@owatson7648]

@@pennyproud1621 Glad things have changed a bit. If only that concern existed when I was a child, then maybe I wouldn’t have had to languish in poverty for most of my life.

[@owatson7648]

@James Thomas Civilians abusing welfare programs are extremely rare, and it’s extremely difficult to accomplish. The fact of the matter is that you don’t know every detail of your neighbors’ lives, or how they may or may not qualify for benefits. You’re making an assumption. Regardless, individual ‘theft’ of public money always pales in comparison to widespread, systemic corruption by politicians. At most, your neighbors are taking a few hundred or thousand dollars per year. Meanwhile states have the ability to withhold millions or even billions of dollars. We have to focus our priorities.

[@hambone4984]

They did the same when my mom would try to apply. She gathered up myself and 2 sisters, we left in the middle of the night while he was at his job. We moved out of state to be closer to my mom's side of the family and were all sharing a bed with my grandma in a one bedroom apartment she lived in thanks to her retirement and social security. We would share a package of top ramen between all of us for dinner every night, and they claimed that they needed to track down my father and have him "help out". They finally found him when he got a job 14 years later. He had apparently become homeless at some point and then proceeded to spend the rest of his life bouncing between being homeless and getting his veteran benefits to pay for housing. But ya, abusive guy who has never actually held down a job or home and self medicates his mental illnesses with alcohol is absolutely going to somehow give us the money we need to meet our basic necessities while still keeping a safe distance...😑

[@michaeladkins6]

These are the same states with the highest prison populations, especially minorities.

[@JeanneOxley]

In the 70s, my Mother received food stamps and a welfare (TANF) check each month. She had 3 young children including me, the youngest. She wanted to take accounting classes, but every time she signed up, they stopped payments. She finally went into the office, with 5 year old me in tow, and yelled "You just don't want me to be able to get off this assistance and have a better job than you!" We were on it for less than 2 years, and she retired as Risk Manager for the large city we lived in. I'm so proud of my Mom.

[@Pandemonis]

All moms deserves an award !

[@Call-me-Al]

​@@Pandemonis eh, all good mothers and fathers. Unfortunately there are some outright abusive parents out there, including sexually abusive parents (sexually abusive mothers unfortunately exist).

[@waynebonner9583]

They don't want you off of it.

[@tsol9097]

Alternate reason: they didn't want her to take accounting and learn how they were messing around with the books and stealing most of the money

[@Fematika]

TANF started in 1997, not the 70s. Did she receive AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children)?

[@NerdWasi]

It's no surprise why John and his team win awards every year the amount of analysis in this show is so insightful.

[@patmaurer8541]

And it makes you wonder why regulatory agencies can't seem to do the same.

[@kro1146]

​@@patmaurer8541 because something, something, Hunter Biden's labtop.

[@Glaaki13]

True im a media critical far leftist and John and the team are really good for the most part

[@NoahFlatcher-b3j]

This is straight to the point

[@aleksandrakowalczyk6043]

Yep, his good, but really leftist.

[@joyl7842]

I'm grateful I live in The Netherlands. I live on my own and became dependent on welfare from my local government. The people at the department were very supportive and helped me every which way I could possibly need. After exactly a year I found my dreamjob, thanks to their assistance in applying for it, and I was no longer dependent.

[@jedidiahsojourner1917]

👍🦊👍

[@LoveMusic-pd5iz]

Thank you for posting this. I'm 73, live in the U.S. and think there's lots The Netherlands do that is more sensible than how we do the same things.

[@joyl7842]

@@LoveMusic-pd5iz Thank you for your response.

[@bananatree2527]

The Netherlands is much better but still not all that good on this front. I'd say the Dutch version is bijstand, which also has some ridiculous hurdles to apply. I remember being in it at one point. They can literally visit your home unannounced to make sure nobody else lives there who could also have an income, they check all your bank records for several years back which is a massive invasion of privacy, and so on. There was this woman who was gifted some groceries regularly (I don't remember exactly by whom, could be a neighbour or family member) and because the state counted that as extra income she had to pay back thousands of euros of welfare money to the government. There are also similar requirements while you're in the program such as sending plenty of job applications and going to training to improve your job application skills. And to top it all off, every single correspondence you receive from the government about it comes with big warnings that if you don't do everything correctly they can kick you off the program. I wouldn't say bijstand has the level of abuse and just spending it on nonsense that TANF has, but the government very much treats recepients with a very hostile and paranoid attitude, constantly giving you the feeling that they see you as a very lazy scumbag who will defraud the system the moment they're not watching you or haven't warned you in a letter.

[@joyl7842]

@@bananatree2527 I don't understand why you are criticizing the requirements when you are getting a free handout and support to find a paying job suiting the skills you have. It is completely justified to demand your efforts and honesty about your living situation and financials. You can't expect to receive income for doing nothing and not being open about your situation. By the way, the woman you mentioned who received groceries was also driving a mid-to-high range car. That's not the kind of person Bijstand is for.

[@vickybryan25]

I am a TANF success story. My family and I were so poor but pulled ourselves up and started our own business. It makes me so mad that states refuse to help their poor.

[@diegojines-us9pc]

i wonder as business owner if you complain about the taxes you pay. thats why.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

They worked hard to make them poor.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

​@diegojines-us9pc I wonder, as a business owner, if he pays his employees pauper's wages.

[@aquari_2344]

@@diegojines-us9pc Tax money goes to wars and oil companies, no one cares Tax money goes to poor people, suddenly a moral panic

[@stevepowell6503]

I wonder why people are inventing scenarios about someone they don't know.

[@rgwak]

You can always rely on John Oliver to make you pissed off about something you didn't even know existed 30 minutes ago.

[@JJ-ze6vb]

You didn’t know welfare existed but was hard to get?

[@aesinam]

​@J J maybe he meant how it being used to build volleyball courts

[@mantasa0000]

You must have had a nice easy life if you didn't know it existed

[@pennyblush98]

John's good like that, tho i imagine much more people have seen or are aware of TANF, it being that thing you always check "no" to when applying to jobs. i never really knew what it was myself

[@alanweis7856]

Good thing that problems in the world is constant. We will never run out things to talk about.

[@ezz625]

As a Dutch person I was so shocked when I moved to the States. The US is the biggest economy on the planet, yet there is such an incredible amount of poverty, with basically no substantial social safety net. It was a real culture shock. The states only is the greatest place on earth if you’re upper class, otherwise I’d much rather be in a place like the Netherlands.

[@phileas007]

when I visited the states, I've noticed a correlation between poverty and the density of American flags.

[@danilooliveira6580]

I mean... that is kinda what made them the biggest economy on the planet, exploiting labor and giving nothing to the people. that and size and "diplomatic" power. the problem is that their economic power is in the hand of few.

[@arcanondrum6543]

While President, Donald Trump complained about Immigrants and asked; "How come we don't get any immigrants from Norway?" Well Donald, Norway is a Social Democracy.

[@MrSupaflyjr92]

Goedendag! As an American in The Netherlands, I agree it’s much more efficient here. I still want to go back to the US. Mostly because of the variety of nature and climates. I also think it’s generally hard to be away from home. Maybe we can switch lol

[@costeris35]

@@MrSupaflyjr92 You are not wrong, the nature and climate in the Netherlands can be summed up as 95% grass, ducks and rain. (A Dutch person who would live in the US if she was financially secure enough)

[@tanyasawyer5476]

I was granted food stamps in north Carolina, because I am diabetic and couldn't afford my meds, food, and doctor's visits. After a year and a half I got a letter from dhhs saying that I was never supposed to get any kind of help at all. Over the next several years I had to repay every penny I was given in assistance. I still can't afford my insulin, food, and doctor's visits. Haven't bothered trying to get any kind of help since.

[@pennyproud1621]

Smh. I'm sorry about that. Our country is crazy.

[@dpo2078]

I'm sorry the system acted on the pretense of helping and only ended up putting you through more hardship. I hope you're able to have access to the $30 insulin that that manufacturer is offering! The cost and accessibility of insulin has been despicably exploitative in this country. I hope in the future there's drastic reform to change that.

[@zubetp]

i'm so sorry. if i could afford to help you buy your insulin, i would. it's not fair.

[@cocobutter3175]

Same. I'm type 1, and I got on food stamps after being fired from my job for being in the hospital too long. I had to fill out tons of applications every week, for only $30 worth of food stamps. A local church bought insulin for me, thankfully, or I'd be dead. I finally got on disability, which I had applied for almost two years before I was fired. I had been in and out of the hospital all the time, basically dying, because I was trying to work while still not being able to afford enough insulin and medical supplies. My A1C was 14 the whole time. So I finally applied for disability, and hoped for the best. I did almost die getting there, but once I got on disability, keeping food stamps was actually easier. They gave me way more and I didn't have to fill out applications. And I finally got insurance and could go to a doctor. If healthcare was free, and you didn't have to jump through hoops for food stamps, I would have had enough assistance to never have to be on disability. I could have had enough medicine to actually be healthy enough to keep working. But no, instead I became so sick, I became too blind to drive, and damaged my organs and body so much, I will never be able to work again. The stigma around getting assistance was so bad though, I let myself suffer horribly before I finally gave in and started applying for stuff.

[@cocobutter3175]

​@@dpo2078 The only thing that sucks about the $30 insulin, is that insulins are different, and only certain ones are $30. Different diabetics need different insulins. You can use a cheaper one, but it won't keep your blood sugar under control, you'll still be pretty sick, but it's better than nothing. I had to have Tresiba specifically, and luckily I have insurance, because it's not one of the ones covered under that law. Before insurance, I had to take Walmart insulin. I was in the hospital a lot, in DKA. It just didn't work. Hopefully they come out with more generics covered under the $30 law, so diabetics can get the insulin that actually works for them.

[@SuperPhukcable]

I work as a TANF caseworker and I fully agree with everything said here. The entire program needs an overhaul.

[@CasiodorusRex]

Democrats controlled the House, Senate and Presidency the last two years, why didn't they fix it?

[@WubbyPunch]

My man 😉

[@seanb9907]

agreed, they should fire you.

[@WubbyPunch]

@@seanb9907 lol?

[@3xþ0s3ð]

​@@seanb9907 👈 Erectile dysfunction makes you petty.

[@PUABored12]

I hope this show goes on forever. This program is a national treasure.

[@rogerhonacki5610]

Oliver reports the stuff the news shows dont

[@nightatboje]

I'm watching this in EU and this show is quite hilarious from my perspective.

[@joannmatthews4810]

As is John Oliver!!!!

[@charurao6305]

National resource

[@haroldwhite5761]

Me too! Except when the CIA made him misreport politics in South and Central America.

[@terrystevens8338]

My political awakening happened in a welfare office at 25 with two kids and an abusive ex husband who had frozen me out of our joint accounts.. it was the moment I realized that the right had lied about generous welfare benefits for mothers in a rough spot.. it doesn’t exist.. getting any help meant I had to do full time welfare school (lol) and have my small kids in daycare.. luckily I’m middle class and it was only a short lesson on how awful America is and it worked out for me financially without any help from the state. It did lead me to becoming a leftist and realizing the right really doesn’t care if kids go hungry they want to force women and children to stay with abusive men.

[@donnavorce8856]

Forcing women while saying it's best for them. Yep. And there are people who still vote for them.

[@mikewilliams-jw8jd]

I live in the 2nd most leftist state with leftists at every level of government and I earn 1/3 of the poverty line and I don’t qualify for tanf or snap for that matter so I don’t think the left cares anymore than the right. They pretend they do on shows like this and in speeches but when they have full governmental control they still only have pretty words.

[@darthclide]

Same goes for men only worse because men are rarely looked at as victims, and family courts are stacked in favor of the mother (at least in my state). It was heart wrenching to watch my friend lose his house, car, and most of his paycheck, all because she had a better lawyer and knew how to pull those "I am just an innocent women" shenanigans.

[@terrystevens8338]

@@darthclide divorce sucks.. it’s like the system is set up to drive the divorced parties to hate each other when they still have kids and have to learn to co parent.. the entire system should be set up to make it as easy as possible for the family to go on in separate directions without creating more animosity and anger.. the current situation just adds gas to fires.

[@undefinederror40404]

​@@darthclide "same goes for men only worse" ... look, let's not compare suffering here. Try to keep those phrases out, it creates division rather than fostering mutual support. You probably didn't mean to, but on sensitive topics such phrases can really set off a fire...

[@demoquosal2018]

I had to give up on the idea of getting married because I would have lost my disabled son's medicare. I lost TANF because my son's father paid $40 a week to help out. I refused a raise because I would have lost my disabled son's state sponsored medical. The largest misunderstood thing about welfare is that recipients don't work. We work, but wages are so low we still qualify. Those days are long behind us, but all this happened after 4 years in the Army. It was a wild fight that kept me single, afraid to make more than $9 an hour and penalized for getting $40 a week in support. And this was in Tennessee!! Those bastards, $790 million dollars???

[@Mrshoujo]

The system discourages getting ahead. You get more income but not enough to really elevate you and the help goes away potentially putting you in a worse situation. My mother complained about this awful dichotomy all the time. If you got ahead, you had to hide it.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

Republicans are evil.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

​@miketomlindiversityhire2572you tried. It's clear you're alone and childless.

[@Spiritof_76]

Do yourself a favor, getting married is overrated.

[@UncleJrueForTue]

@Mike Tomlin= diversity hire Wherever you pull this 20 an hour on a standard work week is 800 a week or 3,200 before taxes apply. Average rent in Tennessee for Memphis is 1,000, Chattanooga is 1,100, Nashville is 1,300, and Knoxville is 1,100. So after you hopefully luck out and qualify to get an apartment in 1 of those 4 cities in Tenessee you have to never miss more than a week of work due injury or sickness. You have around 1,500(after taxes and rent) to pay for utilities, car payments/public transportation, groccery needs, and child care at minimum. So you expect a parent to live on a razor's edge working at minimum 40 hours a week, with a job that has no upward mobility, no realistic chance at a raise for the next few years, saving almost nothing, as the cost of living keeps increasing, while also raising a child? Also, while I'm no fan of Mike Tomlin's schemes(with or without assistants/coordinators) equating him to a diversity hire instead of a 'great defensive coach with subpar offensive schemes' (aka what he is) is gross.

[@uthmanbaksh3530]

Finding out you were kicked off of government assistance while you were in a Coma has to be one of the worst things to happen to you! As someone who lost their job after coming out of the hospital after getting brain surgery, I Sympathize with her!

[@hoytbangs9425]

“The comfort of the rich depends upon an abundant supply of the poor” ― Voltaire

[@BigBoogookie]

Hence the push to cut education and force people to birth more babies.

[@Cellus5000]

Voltaire was a dumbass Edit: imagine everyone who was poor was magically not poor. How would that impact the top 1%, 5%, or top 50%. It wouldn't. People who are poor don't have money to add into the systems that the rich benefit from. In fact it is the exact opposite. Wellfare systems depend on the abundant supply of the rich. Instead of blindly reciting quotes, try thinking about them even a little bit.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

French royalty found out how that cam backfire. Time to show the rich that again.

[@noumenanoz8819]

Why you think they want to force people to have birth? Guaranteed poor people.

[@jamess.2491]

@@ThatOpalGuy yeah it worked out so well that the guy who started it ended up on the cutting block himself... maybe we should learn from history's mistakes

[@rgwak]

Tennessee: "We need to protect our children by banning drag shows!" Also Tennessee: **Sitting on $790 million that could help children hoping no one finds out**

[@saxyrep1]

Yup from the so-called "Save the children" crowd.

[@Buttercup697]

Honestly, what so expect from a corrupt republikkkan party? 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@snicksabea]

That’s why some of the smart Tennesseans leave.

[@luisfilipe2023]

Because aperantly those things are related somehow

[@luisfilipe2023]

@@saxyrep1 imagine thinking being pro children is a bad thing 😂😂😂

[@cindyjmoss7525]

I used to determine eligibility for people and how often it fell short was not only horrifying, but I spent more than a few days crying in my cubicle when it inevitably became “how do I make too much money.” For reference, a single parent can’t make more than $400 a month to get TANF. Rent here is 1500 for a one bedroom. These same people end up hating and distrusting us (or even kill us) because our representatives spend this money however they want.

[@sonicboy678]

That threshold requires either being paid less than the federal minimum wage or working for effectively no more than _55 hours_ in a month at that rate. (For clarity, the minimum wage in the US is $7.25/hour. At an assumed 40 hours per week over four weeks, $400/month would only be $2.50/hour, while the aforementioned minimum means you're practically unemployed.)

[@peggedyourdad9560]

@@sonicboy678 That sounds like minimum wage back in the 50s imo.

[@matthewodonnell6906]

@@crushedorchids But now we live in a world where politicians are attacking access to both abortion care & contraceptives. The Supreme Court ruling that overturned the Comstock Laws (laws preventing the sale & distribution of birth control of any kind) was on the same basis as the original Roe v. Wade ruling. Now, with the mifepristone ruling, republican judges are effectively trying to reinstate the Comstock laws. What will you do when moving condoms, birth control pills, and other contraceptives across state lines becomes illegal? Does your state have a single place that manufactures any of these contraceptives? Probably not.

[@Greenitthe]

​@@crushedorchids You... you realize that UBI literally has *universal* in the name, right? It's not UBI if it's means-tested. And I'm not sure discouraging births in a country that is already below replacement rate is really the right call for capitalism... Not to mention the fact that singling out women is ridiculous, as if they singlehandedly undergo mitosis and spawn a child. Blaming a single mother for 'choosing the wrong guy' or something is unhinged. Besides which, welfare being shitty especially for impoverished single family households hasn't improved outcomes in the several decades since Reagan et al, what makes you think being even more stingy would change that? Conversely, most other 1st world nations have less restrictive / more accessible benefits which cover more essential areas including housing, healthcare, childcare, food, and education, and in turn see far more success at lifting families out of poverty regardless of when and with whom recipients have children. Why reinvent the wheel?

[@marcellagflowers]

​@@crushedorchids yeah if only women could choose what to do with their bodies....and decide for themselves when to have children......instead of it being forced upon them... okay but jokes aside, abortion bans and enforcing poverty is not a mistake and it's hardly "the woman" 's fault for having a baby she can't afford, though i agree many people actively choose to have children before they're ready. a shocking lack of sex education leads to unexpected pregnancies, abortion bans mean those unexpected pregnancies must be seen to term even if it puts the family into poverty or the fetus isn't viable (I've read stories of women being forced to carry a fetus to term that was determined at 6 months to not be "compatible with life" and the baby died four days after being born, the mother ofc stuck with all the medical bills from a full pregnancy). more poor people means more petty crimes which means more incarceration, and private prisons are essentially vessels for modern day slavery. if they can lock you up p much just for being poor, then keeping you poor means more free labor for the upper class so the rich get richer! it's kinda like climate change - big corporations want you to think that you as an individual should be doing more to help the environment while Coca Cola is the #1 plastic polluter on the planet. when we accuse and turn on each other, rich people and big corporations continue exploiting us all equally

[@okramando]

FROM A MISSISSIPPIAN THANK YOU! I feel like this story doesn't get enough heat. These people stole from the poorest of the poor. Brett is a national name and he stole from his state. This fact should be spread far and wide.

[@InsomniacRocker]

Took the words right out of my mouth. I was glad to see it being covered on the Pat McAfee show as well...

[@dolliscrawford280]

Write a bad check, get 5 years while people like Brett get nothing or maybe apologized to.

[@comradepickles7607]

My dad walked out when I was 4 leaving my mom with no home and 3 kids. We were on welfare, which was then taken away after she bought a used car (with loaned money) for 3000$ to bring us to school and so that she could get a job. The welfare office essentially said "well if you can afford a car you aren't struggling" we lived on eggs and rice that year.

[@joylastname3035]

Dear lord! I think these ppl get off on cruelty.

[@vaterunser3879]

the fact that your government didnt care about u at all while all politicians think social-democracy is the devil... USA doesnt stop to amaze, especially stupid people

[@maureenmcgrath8169]

Same thing happened to us. My kids lived on potatoes and onions

[@aidangriffiths5075]

Love eggs and rice

[@BlitzkriegOmega]

The “assets totaling $2000” clause is such utter bullshit.

[@pongman71]

As a social worker who often spends my time trying to help young mothers who can't work to navigate the complicated process of applying for governmental aid and assistance, I can tell you that they don't make it easy, often get kicked off it for silly reasons, and are barely surviving if they get it. Not to mention the fact that they need me, competent paid adult support, to wade through the bureaucrat bullsh*t in hopes that they MIGHT get a little money to survive. The system is broken and I am happy John is exposing it.

[@diegojines-us9pc]

so basically saying one of the new parents need to be a competent adult. there is a problem with 2nd gen. they never had one to show them what that was.

[@smithanvil-yb7xl]

@Diego Jones No, she is saying that the system is so broken that it leaves parents as weak as children as it funds volleyball courts. You child.

[@healingfear]

I think we need a universal basic income.

[@undefinederror40404]

​@@diegojines-us9pc what does being a competent adult entail? I would argue that your comment doesn't sound much like something that a competent adult would say. Here's why; in the original comment "competent paid adult support" meants that OP is competent at their job of being support and helping people through the bureaucrat bs. Being competent at parenting does not correlate to being competent at going through bureaucrat bs that is specifically set up to be terribly difficult for those who don't have experience in it.

[@MrOttopants]

The same kind of thing happens in education. If a family already has the ability to navigate a complex bureaucracy, then they can get their kids into the "right" school- public or private. Lots of families and individuals just aren't prepared, don't have time, and also don't have the social circle that talks about getting their kids into those schools.

[@isabellagonzales2268]

I will never get over how well done this show is! The research, writing, and presentation...John Oliver's rage feeds my soul!

[@NismoR34Drift]

This is so damn frustrating. Lost my job in November, was told by welfare assistance case worker "you qualify for x, y, and z" (one of those being TANF). Ended up NOT qualifying after it took two months to get a determination, because unemployment pays too much - which as a single dad with 2 young children and majority custody...if I spent every penny of my unemployment check (20% of what I was making not on unemployment) on rent it still wouldn't cover the median rent for a 2BR apartment in my state, let alone anything else. Never imagined I'd be in this position, but it's been a hard year - and the amount of bureaucracy and bs I've had to go through for basic aid when knobs like Brett Favre can funnel millions of these funds into volleyball stadiums is beyond infuriating.

[@blackpajamas6600]

I feel ya, bro. Good on you for working so hard for your kiddos.

[@arcanondrum6543]

T'was a billionaire who warned other billionaires in a speech (it may still be in KZbin) : "Beware, the pitchforks are coming."

[@swistedfilms]

What's worse is that when we're working they take those taxes without remorse, and woe unto those who owe them but do not pay them, unless you're already rich. Then it becomes your turn to be the recipient of the money meant to "promote the general welfare" of the population (that phrase is in the very FIRST paragraph of the Constitution) and what do you get? A giant "fuck you." We have to beg on our knees for ANYTHING. I pay a LOT in taxes, but I don't feel bad about it because it's meant to help those who are less fortunate than me. But then I hear about how that's NOT happening and it's just as infuriating to me that you don't get help as it is to you! Here's hoping things get better for you and your kids.

[@Kingbimmy]

Praying things get easier for you man. No one deserves to struggle like that. 🥺🙏❤️

[@KingLarbear]

I hope you weren't one of those, these people are lazy, kind of people

[@ohnoourtableitsbroken6527]

former social worker, applying for TANF was always degrading for my clients and not all of them got approved, waiting time is ridiculous if you get approved and the money people receive is a pittance. The corruption in the states is mind boggling and they've got it down to a science with the lobbying system.

[@owatson7648]

This is another good point, how degrading the application process is. It discourages people in poverty from applying because it treats them like criminals, sluts, thieves, etc. My mom applied for TANF once but the application process was so demoralizing and the employees were so misogynistic, that she refrained from applying for ANY welfare programs unless it was absolutely necessary.

[@ChineduOpara]

Not to mention the systemic racism

[@debradipiazza844]

It’s a sad time in media when I turn to John Oliver for in-depth reporting. Kudos to everyone at LWT.

[@drestotv4444]

John Oliver and Russell Brand, two comedians who bring top notch journalism to the table

[@JohnChampagne]

Have you ever heard a news report that said we can end poverty and promote sustainability by charging hefty fees to industries that emit pollution, deplete resources or destroy wildlife habitat, then sharing fee proceeds to all people? When I asked a reporter at my local NPR station why they don't report systemic solutions, he said, "We're not going to promote your ideas, John". (Arthur Cecil Pigou suggested a pollution fee more than 100 years ago.)

[@SaltyMinorcan]

yep and Seth Myers and Colbert for finance and war monger reporting. THEY should get to ask questions at important political events. I would watch that!

[@RyanMcHugh1984]

@@drestotv4444 russell brand does not do that - he makes claims without evidence, Oliver backs it up with evidence. Brand is a self-interested chauvinist.

[@sammccue500]

You know things have changed when we're laughing at our politicians and seriously listening to our comedians.

[@LeahIsHereNow]

In 2007 in Kansas it was so almost impossible to get any TANF. Just to get $250 a month for a family of 3, they wanted us to fill out 20 job applications a week. We were on food stamps for a few months, just like most families who get benefits. It was temporary, but ended up having to reuse diapers because SNAP doesn’t cover anything but food. Nobody should have to live that way. This country is basically just a Third World country with a snappy theme song.

[@pennyproud1621]

Lol.smh. right.

[@maxwell4431]

A comparable programme for the Netherlands allows you to get up to 70% of your former salary, and I think a couple of job applications a week. The length of time you qualify depends on total time worked. A much more humane programme for those in between jobs with financial obligations and dependents

[@sarahoshea9603]

Last I knew the Netherlands weren't taking US refugees and the US doesn't give a shit what the Netherlands are doing "cuz thur commeez" (or something).

[@AM-vw7dg]

I'm a retired Income Maintenance Caseworker and can tell you that TANF, SNAP, Cash Assistance is supplemental only, it's not livable. The ridiculous questions that are asked and requirements for mere chump change is abhorrent. But, when it comes time to finance a "war", there are no applications and the paper "money" flows like water.

[@Isawwhatyoudid]

@Repent and believe in Jesus Christ I hope you don't consider Donald Trump a fine Christian like some people, he is anything but. He is even on camera twice saying he has never asked God for forgiveness. By his own admission he is no Christian but he is too stupid to know that.

[@Joyish94]

John, thank you for doing this segment. SNAP, WIC, and CCMS has helped me get out of poverty. These programs are unfortunately needed now more than ever and this is great timing. If you do come across this comment, I wanted to tell you that my TANF experience in Texas is God awful. If you currently have a child support case open in Texas, EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT RECEIVING CHILD SUPPORT, you CANNOT receive TANF. You have to hire a lawyer (which you can’t afford because you’re poor) or wait several months to appear in front of a judge to drop your child support case to receive TANF. Why aren’t single parents able to apply? Wouldn’t it seem like this group needs it the most? I was denied twice for this reason. Luckily I moved out of this state and I’m now no longer in poverty, but TANF needs massive overhaul for those that need it. It’s incredibly difficult to receive welfare even if you do qualify. I wish I could say I’m surprised about TANF funds going to the rich, but I’m not.

[@samanthasinger3747]

That is crazy!!

[@cherifurr3935]

That’s awful, but I’m not surprised, since it’s Texas. Glad you got out of there.

[@rodolfoorozco5727]

What do your expect from that excrement hole state governed by Republicans...

[@jimmyhirr5773]

"Why aren't single parents able to apply?" They don't want single parents to apply, they want them to get married. See the list of things that TANF funds can be spent on for evidence.

[@Vans89]

People desperately hold on to the stereotype that poor people are lazy because they don't want to confront the idea that they could fall on hard times due to no fault of their own at any time.

[@tirsden]

Plus, a lot of poor people are like me, permanently disabled and literally unable to work, so much so that it'd be foolish for any employer to try and hire us. I don't like being poor! I would rather work! But I don't have that choice. Social security disability, medicare, and a housing voucher are keeping me from not dying. Whoever thinks that I don't deserve those things or any other financial aid I might qualify for "because I'm lazy" needs to walk a mile in my shoes. I can still manage to walk a mile on a good day, but it's not fun.

[@scifirealism5943]

Because they assign value to people based on how hard they work. The idea that if you don't work, you have no value, is disgusting.

[@skillethead15]

Or the fact that these crappy job don’t pay enough. I don’t care where you live in the US. $9 an hour is not enough to take care of 3 children. And she can’t even qualify for those tiny TANF checks. If they don’t want to hand out the money to help, then they need to force these employees to pay a livable wage.

[@scifirealism5943]

​@@skillethead15wrong answer. Politicians don't want a living wage minimum wage because politicians want poverty.

[@scifirealism5943]

​@@skillethead15my replies are gone.

[@geoffstrickler]

Great segment. John Oliver is a national treasure. He wasn’t born here, but he’s a true patriot.

[@ToxicToastRecords]

He's ours now! We claim him, it's official. He's a US Citizen in real life now.

[@DulceN]

I can assure you there are many of us, European and elsewhere born, that made the USA our home for a variety of reasons and only want the best for our adoptive country and our fellow Americans.

[@owatson7648]

Truly. He cares about the American people more than most politicians tbh. I’m forever grateful to him.

[@bluetoad2668]

​@@ToxicToastRecordshe's still got his British passport - we want him back!!!

[@DJJezzebella]

Well said sir.

[@aidanschaefer4944]

Isn't it ironic that the government is doing so much to ensure women see their pregnancies through to term, but then suddenly turn skeptical and distant when those who are struggling to support their children apply for government aid?

[@doloresreynolds8145]

Don’t say ‘the government’ is doing those things when it is almost exclusively the Republican Party that wants to ‘ensure’ that women see pregnancies through to term, and also the Republicans who regularly vote against funding food stamps, school lunches and other types of financial support that directly improves the lives of poor children. It is disappointing that you fail to recognize the right wing agenda….

[@laurenvandermeer77]

As a catholic THIS THIS THIS WHY THE HELL IS THE PROLIFE MOVEMENT SO ANTI-CHILDREN AND ANTI -MOTHERS???? FUCKING HYPOCRITES . Daycare is prolife!! Free parenting classes, free therapy, free Healthcare, social security and fucking AFFORDABLE HOUSING ARE ALL PRO LIFE

[@tuber198712]

Aint it funny how that works?

[@blaiseutube]

Republicans love the soldier, hate the veteran. They love the fetus, hate the child.

[@patricknorton5788]

I take your point, but it's not really ironic, it's just hypocritical (and sadistic). The "pro-life" crowd just want to keep women and poor people under control, even when half of these twisted people are female and poor themselves.

[@Ch4pp13]

the more I watch LWT, the more I realize that a majority of problems in the US stem from an overwhelming sense of "I can do it, so can you" and outright refusing to put themselves into other people's shoes, while constantly making it harder for people to do the thing you want them to do, because a vast majority of people didn't get born into a family full of millionaire businessmen. The same people look at Denmark, see the extent of the social security put in place so people can get the help they need, throw out all the positives and focus in on the outliers and negatives, like people who abuse the system, and the high tax-rate... missing the fact that there are punishments in place for people who abuse the system, and the high tax-rate goes back into funding the social security systems rather than going off to fund another fucking stadium that a football team "needed". It is willful malignant ignorance at its worst. Corrupt as hell, and buys into its own propaganda about "if I can do it, so can you".

[@aquari_2344]

A cult of american exceptionalism has overtaken this country and prohibited critical thought. The funniest talking point is the bootstrap one, because that started as a sarcastic phrase to mock people who suggest doing the impossible until people stopped thinking it through and just repeated the narrative

[@hudson2861]

The more I watch LWT the more I realize how bad the press is in this country. Not one other network including all the left leaning ones like CNN and MSNBC dare report on this and god forbid the lil tucker reports on anything that isn't a fabrication. There is not one news media outlet that would not have access to the information Oliver has, he put it together for a 22 minute spot complete with verifiable facts and names of perpetrators. That is almost as much time as MSM gives to their advertisements on any given broadcast. When are the American People going to want to stop being screwed and allowing the likes of musk, lafevre, the major dump and all those who took bailouts during the pandemic that didn't need them too keep skimming from the People while getting more and more filthy rich daily? They are begging for a revolution in this country. The wealth class and their pocketed political class surely have someone that can do the math for them. >

[@gorkskoal9315]

Also! On food stamps? a fuckton of actually good for you things don't qualify from Kroger? oh go check amazon? they are worse. So not only can you get a shitty diet and more medical problems, but also skullfucked because of washington having a fucking tempertantrum about everything.

[@MsScarletwings]

The term you may be looking for is “survivorship bias”.

[@fixerupperer]

There has been a systematic P.R campaign in the U.S. to make the general public think they are just a couple steps away from being multi-millionaires or billionaires someday. Therefore they shouldnt support anything that will detract from a portion of their future wealth. The morality of Americas version of social-corporatocracy is perverse and severely harmful to society and the people. I believe actual capitalism would likely be better than what we have.

[@sg8953]

I'm in Missouri and used to work at a nonprofit that helped with rent/ utilities and had a food bank. Over about 10 years, I only saw one family who had TANF because the requirements are so contradictory. At one point you had to work 20 or more hours a week, but if you did, that income put you over the income limits to qualify. The max payout was also around $230/ month and that family of 5 who actually received it got $177 FOR FIVE PEOPLE! And the mom kept having to take whole days off to "recertify," but they wouldn't give her an actual appointment so she'd just have to wait all day. I think she got it got about 3 months before those appointments caused her to lose her job and thus, she lost TANF. Stupid.

[@reaganc9546]

The woman in this scandal, Nancy New, was my high school’s superintendent. New Summit in Jackson MS. She also took funds from our public education system to buy herself a house in the richest neighborhood in Jackson. She was able to do this because our school got special funding. Why? It was a school to help kids with special needs. The school ultimately went under after she and her son were found out. Also, she just sucks in general. I remember at my graduation, she said that there was a typo in the play I performed. “Reagan’s favorite highlight of the year was performing in ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ Oh that’s wrong, I was an English major, it should be ‘Midnight’s Summer Dream.’” It was so embarrassing to watch an adult be so confidently wrong. She also always brought investors to the school and would prop me and other students up as “success stories” it felt very strange. She then made us go to the state capitol to bring our autistic students for an Autism Speaks event. The kids were very stressed out at this event and I felt awful that I had to be there. Even at 17, I knew Autism Speaks was a terrible organization. I hope this woman goes to jail for a long time.

[@blancoysb]

They are looking at giving the son 75 years with a 17 year minimum and giving Nancy New 99 years with a 25 year minimum.

[@Wilde_one]

I tried to apply for aid in CA and was told that the maximum income for a single mother with two children is $1073. My rent alone is $2350. I work 40 hours a week and I’m hanging on by my fingernails. I don’t qualify for any help. This is so scary.

[@scifirealism5943]

Yep.

[@l-b284]

I applied for aid in Florida when I was a single mom in college there, and was told that my student loans counted as income, so I was denied.

[@scifirealism5943]

​@@l-b284that's the point. To keep people in poverty

[@RC-xl2fj]

One thing I realized about the US is that American actively hate the poor. Being poor is like a moral failing instead of being unlucky or a victim of circumstances for Americans. You can see it on how we treat the homeless or how we judge people on food stamps.

[@scifirealism5943]

It's called just-world fallacy. It fuels American ideology.

[@ayela562]

Right ? I mean there’s plenty of good money to be misappropriated.. if people would just pull up their bootstraps and commit fraud they could be successful too.

[@Greenitthe]

@@ayela562 Seriously, just get a multi-million-dollar book deal or redirect funds from the charity you run to pay for your vacation home. People just don't want to work anymore, smh

[@glenngriffon8032]

Not only that but depending on where you are you can be arrested for vagrancy by being homeless. Police will actively seek ways to arrest homeless people for the crime of being homeless and impoverished.

[@hermionegardener3796]

Most americans think they are temporarily embarassed millionairs. Brainwashed by those who rule to hate each other.

[@teflontim]

In PA, the TANF benefit for a family of three with no other income used to be $403.00 per month. That was in 1999 when I started working for the agency. Today, in 2023, the TANF benefit for a family of three with no other income is... wait for it... $403.00 per month. Think of how little $403.00 could get you in 1999, and now think about how much less it gets you today.

[@cherifurr3935]

Just sad…

[@LolaLaRue-sq6jm]

If the poor in America, whose ranks are swelling every day, should ever wake up and realize they are treated worse than DOGS for the benefit of the rich, I hope their response is to burn this rotten, inhuman capitalist system down to the ground.

[@theosname]

TANF stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. How does the shrinking value of the benefit due to inflation not fit the deffinition of temporary? Can you call a program that is still important after 30 years temporary? What better way to make a government program temporary than allowing it to fade into obsolescence until it ends as a budget cut? Also $403 is a lot of money for someone who has no rent, no utilities, no car payment, and no insurance because if they could afford all these things, then they wouldn't be below the poverty level. It's not meant for people to live on but to soften their financial burdens in between jobs, a span of time which is also supposed to be temporary.

[@divi2747]

I just bought a weeks worth of groceries for myself, a weeks worth, and it was over $100, for one person. Also, what if the family applying for this support actually does have obligations for rent, utilities, water, trash, some old car that gets crap gas mileage ...i just filled my tank, $45 every 4-6 days depending on how much i work. And i get on average 37 mpg! What if your car only gets 23? Also, your observation on the nature of or intention of the program would feel stronger to me if it weren't for the point of the show being how this money is actually being used.

[@thekrakenrises9040]

The "Temporary" doesn't apply to the program itself, which is supposed to be unending. Instead, the "Temporary" here means that the assistance provided to a family is temporary in nature. That is, the funding would be provided until the family can afford to stand on their own without government help.

[@AndreaRRedmond]

My child and I were also denied TANF after leaving my abusive husband. He makes over $100k a year and I am stay at home mom and got hardly anything in child support. He has drown me and my mom (her whole retirement savings as a firefighter) in lawyers bills to the point I might have to settle with his demands because I don’t have the money to fight him in court. Please do a segment on the family court system and how abusive men rights seem to come before children and women’s right to live an abuse free life. Love you and your show. You make such a big difference in this world ❤

[@SM-fx6yo]

This is sooo true! I’m sorry you’re going through this ❤ I’m atleast happy you were able to keep your child. That’s the biggest win. I’m struggling with all this legal issue right now. It’s financial abuse and courts do favor dads contrary to popular belief. They get away with so much and are also applauded for anything they do. Meanwhile we have the burden of always proving and going out of our way and there’s no praise or support like them because we are just simply doing what we are supposed to. It’s even harder when you have to protect your kids from someone who has an advantage of resources. This needs to stop.

[@abhijaisingh]

I m sorry for you and may be misinformed but I thought husband was supposed to bear the legal fees for the wife as well during these proceedings

[@finncatwillhelm2457]

​@@abhijaisingh That may be a state level issue and in your area it functions that way and in her area another way. The US is so backwards 🙃

[@KB-hd4iz]

Where have you been to be indulging such gross misapprehension of facts & ignorance?

[@anellawrites]

Welfare to work programs have always pissed me off. They want you to work to take you out of the system, but low paying jobs don’t help you either. If you’re not born rich in this country, you have to fight for everything. It’s exhausting and the rich want to keep us exhausted so they can keep counting their money.

[@scifirealism5943]

Exactly

[@scifirealism5943]

Because poor people won't work for slave wages if they have government benefits.

[@kaivickers166]

I’m in Texas and used to work for the state as a social worker and TANF is ridiculously difficult to get. It’s a one time $1,000 payment that many people have to pay back due to mistakes made by the state. Honestly, I think I’d rather hit a street corner, which is saying something.

[@wontbefooledagain9400]

I believe that, me and my babies almost starved to death in Texas. Literally I’m not exaggerating.

[@kaivickers166]

@@wontbefooledagain9400 - I absolutely believe you. Most states have reciprocity for things like disability, not Texas though. Texas has one of the lowest approval rates of disability in the country.

[@alisondault4329]

Thank you for doing that job, it's so difficult:(

[@MossyMozart]

@Kai Vickers - I cannot imagine the stress you were under and for very modest pay.

[@Kingbimmy]

I make $21 an hour and don’t have kids, and am scraping by. How in the FUCK is a mother of 3 who makes $9 an hour not qualify for government aid??? I am so beyond taken aback by that one, holy shit, I hope her and anyone in similar circumstances gets the help they need 😢💔 Her and those kids deserve a better financial situation fr

[@dannydaw59]

How many hours per week do you work and what's the cost of living where you are?

[@verde7595]

if youre making 21 and are barely scraping by thats a you problem tbh

[@bamboosho0t]

Basic wage growth, per the bureau of labor and statistics, grew 240%+ from 1940-1980 under strong labor representation. Since 1981, with the tech-sector boom, companies shipping labor overseas and the Communist propaganda about labor representation in full swing, *basic wage growth stalled at 5.5% from 1981-2021.*

[@thedjuanmooreshow2356]

​@@verde7595 stop shaming others that's the problem they want us attacking each other when it's them that's the problem

[@dragongirl89115]

@@verde7595 Not at all. It depends on where you live. Some states are incredibly expensive to live in, and no, it's not so easy as "Oh, just move somewhere else." The reality is, in many places, 20 dollars isn't enough to live by. Where I live, the average rend for a single bedroom apartment is 1600-2100 a month. Yeah, a month. The suggested pay to live comfortably in my area is around 41 dollars an hour so yes, 21 an hour is well below the livable wage.

[@ashwinbtdmt4786]

Never let a show of this much importance die

[@bookbook9495]

You’re gonna love Some More News if you like this guy, check him out

[@denisemcdougal6445]

Totally agree!

[@g.d.graham2446]

Definitely

[@firstlast8258]

Never say never

[@sherryelle225]

​@@firstlast8258 Oh ur a troll. I see. Ur acct has only been open a year and u made comments like Go Bannon so a troll or a non thinking bot which is the same as a troll is what u are nonetheless. U like Bannon? The guy who grifted money from trump cultists to build the wall that Mexico was gonna pay for and then he took the money for himself? That Bannon? U must be a masochist.

[@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb]

John Oliver is the only guy who raises these issues. The guy is a hero, a national treasure, in my eyes.

[@jasontoscani3009]

Are you his agent ?

[@flashfire3220]

An online news service “Propublia” does a great job on bringing these tragedies to light.

[@ThatOpalGuy]

​@jasontoscani3009 are you uneducated?

[@AbsentWithoutLeaving]

Yeah, we swiped him from the Brits!

[@kasper7203]

Are you people like paid to make comments like this?

[@dodiebondwood]

This happened to me in West Virginia. After a divorce, I was a single mother of two and worked a job that was just spare money for the marriage. It was not enough to sustain us temporarily. I applied to get help, and was told I made to much money. I was not receiving child support yet also. I could not understand how I made to much! Like how in the world could a single person, earning minimum wage with mortgage and two children be making to much money? Especially when you need to work to qualify! What the heck?????

[@sarah2.017]

Many years ago, I worked with a woman who got divorced, with 3 kids (although one was from a prior relationship - I don't think they were ever married - and was an adult) and applied for aid because she knew she was never going to get any child support. (I didn't ask why, and she never told me, but I believe he went to prison.) Anyway, they said she made too much money, and she replied, "I bet if I was black, it would be a whole 'nother story." Yeah, I didn't work there very long, although for other reasons.

[@porcorosso4330]

working full time at minimum wage is probably too much. maybe if you work part time. of course, I know you also have kids to support. you probably were not making enough to support both you and your kids. that said, I don't think that is what we the people (who voted for representative in office) and by extension the government consider "poor" enough. 16:20

[@ellipses6963]

The truly perverse and sad part about this, is West Virginia is actually pretty generous, relatively (and I cannot emphasize relatively enough) speaking when it comes to their TANF programs. Among other things, they also use TANF funds to provide their school clothing allowance every year, the *only* state in the nation to provide such a program every year. WV also only (“only”) had $110 million in stockpiled TANF funds in 2022, but that’s only about 2% of the nationwide $5.2 billion stockpile. Of course, none of this changes that your family wasn’t able to get the help you needed, I’m just offering some perspective on how kafkaesque the welfare system in this country is.

[@scifirealism5943]

That's the point. The reason we don't have robust welfare support programs is because poor people won't work for slave wages if they have government benefits. Noone would work shitty minimum wage jobs.

[@kimwilliamson7880]

This is income bigotry by state governments who want to use Federal grants for social engineering,as they try to make the lives of the poor so intolerable they”ll move to another state or commit suicide.

[@PattyT942]

The worst part about those marriage classes in Oklahoma? They were created because Oklahoma has a mandate for marital counseling before you get your marriage license. Most get it through their religious institutions, but this was the *only* option if you were secular/atheist. My hubs and I are largely atheist but still associate with our local synagogue and were grateful the Rabbi made it more of a meeting than counseling. From my vantage point as a licensed therapist, that's not something that should be forced on anyone ever.

[@dontmisunderstand6041]

Well, the 1st amendment of the US constitution supposedly bans that type of thing. But, the only religious "freedoms" that have ever been enforced by the 1st amendment is the freedom for Christians to control the lives of non-Christians.

[@ZakTheRipper18]

Wow.

[@custosnox]

Had to do this when I got married there 25 years ago, but not when I remarried 10 years ago. Ironically, the first one, in a church, with a so called counseling session from the peacher, barely lasted 3 years. This one, no counseling, officiated at our pool by the Oklahoma president of the American Atheists, is still going strong. Oklahoma is slowly being drug into the 20th century, kicking and screaming.

[@Shadow-In-The-East]

That is utterly unconstitutional so it doesn't surprise me that it's legal in Oklahoma to essentially discriminate against *gasp* ...Atheists! The horror!

[@PattyT942]

@@custosnox I'm glad to hear that requirement has gone out the window. It's been 12 years since I got married, so we must have just missed the quashing of it. I'm glad to hear you're in a better relationship and without the trappings of religious ideology. This state sure loves to trap people in it. 🫠

[@murphyslaw942]

My family struggled and struggles my whole life, dad being a truck driver got paid very little but since he "owned" the truck it looked like we weren't even if all the money went either into the truck or taxes. They screamed at my poor mother who attempted to apply for food stamps. Never forgiven them.

[@joukeheringa2889]

Damn. When they made more than 1 episode about your situation you know you have it bad. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppnMlod5rbaFgqM

[@artseosamhogriobhta]

Ah that's because you're white. Those are only for browns and negs

[@couragekarnga8735]

I wouldn't either! That's outrageous! What a country we live in!

[@dannydaw59]

Was he an owner operator? Explain his situation.

[@rainbowglittergang1801]

That’s terrible but not surprising.

[@Ravuun]

Considering how difficult it is for needy families to qualify for TANF, or any assistance really, this makes me beyond infuriated.

[@Fate263]

And sadly... this is by design... all because of greed, reckless spending, etc. by those in power, not by the impoverished.

[@julianhelms2217]

There was $4/month available via TANF for 2 kids when I needed help. $4.

[@dainialawes3043]

A friend told me that she couldn’t attend college full time or she’d lose her TANF funds so they’re not interested in u finding a career. Plus she couldn’t let them find out that the father of her kids loved at home. So they’re not interested in all families, just certain families

[@carlbrenda6518]

So she could have still went to college part time. Seems like the desire to get ahead wasn't there. Then add to it lying about the baby daddy living with her. That's the problem I have with a majority of the welfare recepients. They make a mistake and have a child. It can happen. But they then continue to make the same mistake over and over and expect society to take care of them........

[@comedicfarce4132]

The wealthy can afford to sleep around because they don't depend on public assistance. The poor need to have good moral compass and practice it. To escape poverty, don't sleep around, don't sow wild oats, hold oneself to high moral standard and focus on education. Finish high school, go to college part-time while working. After getting the college education, get a decent job. Get married and stay married before having children. Children in stable family with 2 solid parents are more likely to become well-adjusted stable adults.

[@scifirealism5943]

​@Comedic Farce that's messed up

[@scifirealism5943]

​@@comedicfarce4132 no.

[@scifirealism5943]

​@@carlbrenda6518be quiet about just-world fallacy.

[@lorrainedaliessio3998]

The 5 years I worked for the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare I witnessed the humiliation applicants for TANF went through and many applications were denied.

[@samanthab1923]

Shameful

[@truckerdave8465]

In Texas they actively tell you not to try for it and that they’ll take it out of your child support plus extra.

[@arcanondrum6543]

Maybe Pennsylvania needed the money to lure Brett Favre to play for the Eagles or the Steelers.

[@diane8996]

And if you're someone like Jeff Bezos and want government handouts, you just go to your nearest conservative politician with your head held high and start stuffing your pocket without any shame or resistance because they know the media will blame someone else for the waste and not them.

[@petrify4814]

The only person I've ever known to receive TANF was my 55-year-old mom when she and her late husband, 78 at the time, had custody of my 4 nephews and this was only because a) they're white, b) he was a disabled veteran on social security, c) my mom wasn't working at all, d) my youngest nephew had been placed with them by CPS through a crisis plan when he was less than two months old, e) my stepsister-in-law, their mother, was paying TANF $50 a month towards what they received, and f) there was pandemic happening. All of these things combined only finally became enough to get them TANF because my mom had to quit her job at the beginning of the pandemic because there was no school and my stepsister-in-law paid off the money she already owed TANF and I guess they still wanted her $50 a month.

[@jasonxhx7854]

My mom got attacked buying groceries with food stamps after my brothers and I bought her a nice purse for her birthday. A guy and his wife attacked my mom buying groceries because she had too nice of a purse for food stamps. My mom had one, nice, quality thing and was physically attacked because she was using food stamps to buy food.

[@x77punk77x]

That is so messed up… Do you mind sharing the state / region of the U.S.? Were there cameras &/or witnesses who saw the attacker? Was he/she charged for the physical assault?

[@sandpiperr]

@@x77punk77x Just call them a liar like you clearly want to, coward.

[@aaronbaker2186]

​@@x77punk77x what state does that sort of thing happen? Here is a list: Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, California, Delaware, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia...you can guess the other 40 on the list.

[@ariw9405]

Screw those horrible people! Those people are The ones I truly hate the most. Mind your damn business everyone has a story and doesn’t owe anyone an explanation on their life.

[@TruthOverFear21]

Is it me or the GOP is ruining American Government?

[@williamgregory1848]

“Ronald Reagan made it worse.” That one line perfectly describes all of this country’s problems.

[@paulpalmer6364]

Ronnie boy outside of trump was the worst President in my lifetime and I am 74. He should have been impeached for the Iran-Contra affair. Smoke and mirrors was Regan's stock and trade. What do you call someone who sells weapons to our enemy? I call it treason or a Reagan job.

[@vmcurry1]

Bullshit

[@918etools]

Facts

[@revment]

Yup. Now imagine that an entire political party in a bipartisan system bases it's entire identity and policy on trying to emulate Reagan. Oh wait, you don't have to imagine: this nightmare is real.

[@Jabadamazo]

Dude the more I learn about US history the more I realize that Reagan and Nixon (to a lesser extent) are responsible for a lot of the shit we're dealing with right now.

[@youngnut122]

This hits home for me My grandmother has Parkinson’s she can’t walk now. She applied for Medicaid and was denied. She couldn’t afford vital medicine that may have helped her keep walking. Her husband committed suicide and she is very old. I live in Hattiesburg the town of Brett’s alma mater. I understand that this is just a relatively obscure anecdote but I thought it was relevant.

[@lisaspikes4291]

When I lived in Louisiana, I had a friend who had really bad Chron’s disease. She would get sick, spend a week or two in the hospital, go back to work, and within a short time, get sick again, and go back to the hospital. She had a young teenage son also, and was divorced. When she tried to get benefits, they told her that she would have to stop working for a year before she could qualify. Now…how was she supposed to do that? It’s just ridiculous!

[@whyarepeoplecrazy]

My dad has Parkinson’s. Between his tremors and the hallucinations, there is exactly not one place he should be but at home. I’m sorry for you and your grandmother.

[@julieholt7889]

About a decade ago I received TANF in CO. It was the most dehumanizing, soul-crushing and infuriating disaster of a system I’ve ever seen. The system is designed to wreck you.

[@scifirealism5943]

Yes

[@Bethelaine1]

In the 70s I tried to get health insurance help for my children, I was working full time in California. The process was so difficult and I needed to go into the office closest to my home even though there was an office closer to where I worked. Then I spent the day filling out forms, only to find I had to make another appointment. When I pointed out I’d miss another workday, I was told, “ You can always go on welfare.” I almost started screaming. Fortunately I found another way.

[@Stuyk]

Some people just fall on hard times and need a safety net to get back on their feet and back to work. When the safety net is covered in razor blades and unnecessary legal hoops you've already hit the floor before it could even have a chance at catching you.

[@Julia-lk8jn]

Good grief, that is revolting. I think I'd either have started screaming at that "well, go on welfare" comment, or been dumb struck from sheer rage. My explanation for that sort of BS is that sane people don't work for long in those sort of offices; they either go insane or get out while they still can.

[@sdfkjgh]

@@Julia-lk8jn: Sounds like Joseph Heller could make another sequel to _Catch-22_ based solely around the absurdities of this system.

[@landoe2846]

The fact that this show has better investigative reporting than all the other news networks combined say a lot about how much networks are part of our country’s problems. I wish this show and reports happened more than once a week.

[@tituswu691]

or you can actually read news not just watch news. this show cites a lot of them

[@peterschmidt5583]

They have an episode that highlights how dependent they are on local news reporting for their information, among other places. I'm not sure any of the information presented is new information gather by the staff of Last Week Tonight.

[@DulceN]

Hyperbole, much?

[@duckqueak]

8 companies own 90% of the media. Its like this for a reason, they don't enjoy upseting their bosses.

[@Wolverines77]

Yeah and the 95% of people who NEVER watch the news have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with it, do they??? FFS

[@pattijay718]

After husband/dad abandoned us I had to attend a jobs plus program, a program amazingly out of touch and condescending. It showed my group how to dress for an interview with clothes from the fifties, told us we had to be clean and neat, and gave us two weeks to fill out 20 applications, none of which could be online, which is the only way to apply for most jobs.

[@nifralo2752]

That's cause these programs are made by public sector people who have 0 experience in the real world

[@scifirealism5943]

​@@nifralo2752wow.

[@slugluv1313]

horrifying -- for the county food stamp/general assistance (cash assistance to single adults with no children -- a whopping $140.00, around 2004), i also had to participate in a "work activity," which was administered by the state -- we all had to take a multiple choice test that, for me, seemed incredibly easy -- but when the "instructor" was looking at my results, my score was just shy of failing -- i asked her, did i really do that badly? then she looked again and said, "Oh! I held up the grid wrong!" and laughed (instead of actually looking at answers, there was some stupid grid that she had to place over each participant's test) -- then she said, "Oh, you're a college graduate! You did not even have to take this test!" again giggling -- there was another young woman in the group, also a college graduate and also needlessly taking that test -- i was sickened, thinking of how many other people she must have screwed up, and i did not even want to think about, as a state employee, how much she was being paid to do so

[@laalaa99stl]

Wish John had mentioned Sarah Huckabee Sanders in his non-main segment. She rolled back child labor protections this week but also supported Arkansas' anti drag bill. Yaknow. To protect the children.

[@michaeldavis8250]

That's a big movement across a lot of red states, depressingly.

[@user-xy6gm6ug5c]

It's because they killed off so much of their base that their political donors need employees. Labor is labor when they want to keep their comfortable lifestyles.

[@i-love-comountains3850]

What the hell?? Growing up (I'm 30) i would never have been able to imagine they'd become so deranged. I've known many great and kind conservatives and they're sickened by this.

[@t.a6159]

"What is a children anyways"- GOP

[@globaladdict]

@@i-love-comountains3850 I think deep down, they still exist, but a lot of them have turned into rabid dogs that scream about democrats being the devil and all you can do is put them down because there's no room for intellectual debate or convincing with actual facts

[@Keraruggles]

I was working with parents with developmental disabilities in the early 2000s when their 5 year lifetime tanf cap was coming around. It was utterly devastating for people who had difficulty navigating the system and often were denied by the social security disability program. I worked with a number of parents who ended up losing their kids because they had the mental capacity to either work or parent but not both. It was heartbreaking.

[@no_peace]

They intentionally make it difficult and time consuming so we'll get kicked off. I was on a housing wait list for like 2 years and got kicked off because they make you confirm your spot like every 2-6 months and i wasn't able to do it without help I also had several other similar issues that weren't even legal for them to do but i am not able to orchestrate a lawsuit or even access existing systems for appeal or whatever It's not the same as losing kids at all, I hope it's clear I'm not saying that, but I've had extreme personal consequences from this happening over and over, and so have a lot of others in my community of developmentally disabled people. I'm not surviving People like me could be comfortable and contributing and not in crisis every day but they do this on purpose. Right now I'm supposed to send income records from Medicaid and i can't do it so I'm probably going to lose that too

[@sternocleidosoundsgood]

@@no_peacecan you get to a social worker? That’s what they are for.

[@johannageisel5390]

@@no_peace The system is inherently ableist. :/

[@LeshaAnn]

@@sternocleidosoundsgood A WHAT?! Hahahahaha. Who's going to pay for that?

[@TheLittlemonster333]

Ok.

[@InBreadDragon]

I tried getting food stamps while I was attending Community College. My state says "Your student loans should cover your expenses including rent and food." I was shocked. Loans and grants dont even cover books!

[@henrytawnn8694]

Time to go rouge, Cap.

[@PhoenixAngel429]

Don't mention it. If they don't ask, don't mention it

[@BlackBettyCheesedic]

They kick you off food stamps if you are going to school. They said, then you can’t dedicate your days 100% to looking for a job. That’s what the told me like 12 yrs ago when I was getting my Diploma and homeless.

[@C.L.Stinnett]

Also legally your loans aren't supposed to go towards anything other than school

[@MrOttopants]

I was on Social Security survivor benefits as a kid, and then Reagan cut the college years portion of those benefits when he came into office. Literally just axed 4 years of benefits for orphans whose parents had earned the entitlements. So I lost out on that, but then to add insult to injury, during George HW Bush's term, they made it so that a student requesting grants would have to include their parents' income. My mom was already gone, and I was estranged from my dad who never did anything for me, and I yet I had to include his income when requesting a grant. I was lucky that tuition was only 1100 a quarter at the time, because even though I appealed the grant denial explaining all of those points, they still rejected me. Fortunately, I mostly ate food from my two places of work- a public school and a pretty decent restaurant.

[@SWCMooth]

I would love an episode like this about disability income. The more I look into it the more it's on this level of ew. Everything from the idea it gives you the same level of comfort as when you worked to requirements to keep it. And this "ticket to work" system they just started. Does anyone really want to be disabled?

[@jennifersteiner295]

the book, "Poverty, by America" talks about disability income and it's well researched

[@doloresreynolds8145]

There is never any suggestion or implication that disability will support you as well as you lived when working. The same is true of Social Security - that alone will not support most people as well as they lived while working. They are safety nets, ie last resorts.

[@scifirealism5943]

Because poor people won't work for slave wages if they have government benefits.

[@MAJ724]

I’m glad someone mentioned Brett Farve because media and sports media covered that for literally a day and then spent the next month talking about a coach who cheated on his wife as if that was bigger news instead.

[@verde7595]

Favre is still one of the leading headlines at most real news sections and what coach did that? That wasn't reported on at all.

[@MAJ724]

@@verde7595 Celtics coach. And sports media hasn’t said a thing about the Farve story since it first happened up until Brett Farve sued a few people recently for talking about it when it initially was reported on.

[@CompoundingTime]

Pat Mcafee talked about it a decent amount and now Brett is sueing him

[@TheLittlemonster333]

Ok.

[@boondocksdragon8959]

Favre is going after all the Mississippi journalists who've brought this story forward. He's suing them all.... for disclosing FACTS he didn't want public.

[@kandystorressantiago8865]

I hated TANF obligations. I eventually just stopped applying for it because I didn't want to deal with the stress. I'm glad that it was available when i needed it, but I refuse to go through it again, it felt like a punishment at times for needing the help.

[@Otto-W]

I've read about bret farv and this scandal months ago and have been very disappointed by its lack of coverage. Thanks for giving it some of the coverage it needs.

[@gorkskoal9315]

I wonder if the NFL will strip him of his hall of fame status.

[@Otto-W]

@@gorkskoal9315 the NFL has a history of separating the players time on and off the field. Unfortunately poor behavior doesn't change the hall of fame status, but it should have an asterix under his name.

[@stanphillips7277]

The woman in a coma reminded me of how I was diagnosed with severe and chronic pneumonia and I applied for disability and was denied for missing an appointment that I missed because I was in the hospital with pneumonia. I replied and after 9 months got it immediately after a disability Dr saw my lungs. My check was a couple of hundred dollars less because my neighbors, friends and even strangers (I was basically reduced to panhandling while unable to have access to treatment and oxygen) so if not for an asthmatic friend giving me inhalers and my mom's oxygen concentrator and leftover nebulizer medicine I wouldn't have stood a chance and was hospitalized monthly (sometimes twice). I was told had I been receiving government food stamp assistance my monthly check would have been more but, because I was receiving the aformentioned assistance it was considered assistance! How backwards is this countries logic when it comes to the most vulnerable in our society. It's a bit of a digression but, I should have starved or suffocated due to how little the government cares about people who have a hard time just staying alive.

[@scifirealism5943]

It's just-world fallacy.

[@scifirealism5943]

It's just-world fallacy.

[@dontask3613]

Dude I applied for help this winter in MA, I have 2 kids and a stay at home mom that I take care of and I got laid off, my unemployment benefits are like 2k a month which barely covers our mortgage and utilities, nevermins food, diapers, medicine, other bills... I talked to the person on the phone and they seemed hopeful I'd get benefits and so was I... well to my surprise they said 2,000 a month income was too high and instead of getting help THEY LOWERED our EBT benefits... so I literally lost money used to buy food for my kids because I asked for help. Our system is fucking disgusting and I at this point have no hope we will ever fix it.

[@Weiner-Worm]

That's absolutely horrible, I'm so sorry the system let you down so terribly. Literally taking food out of the mouth of children, what a disgrace our country is

[@shadyislandchronicles4237]

keep trying. appeal, appeal, appeal. the system is designed to discourage, but perseverance absolutely pays off.

[@3Rayfire]

User name for this travesty of a story surprisingly checks out.

[@subparnaturedocumentary]

the sad part is we truly are never more than a major health crisis, natural disaster or job loss away from being poor, even if we have good jobs sometimes even if your in a union, we should always keep this in mind and make sure these programs are overhauled and made right to serve the public as they should.

[@user-dg9pu4pe9d]

It is the belief that it will never happen to me.

[@cherifurr3935]

Exactly!

[@subparnaturedocumentary]

@E sadly no when politicians amd their friends can easily profit from this current system it creates little to no urgency to change it.

[@MossyMozart]

@subpar nature documentary unexpert commentary - Divorce is another one of those shocks to the system. No matter what you see in movies or on TV, it is nearly always the ex-wife and kids that are plunged into poverty. It happened to my family when my blue collar factory working father suddenly died. If you think that Social Security Survivor Benefits will bail you out, keep walking.

[@raeorion]

Family on TANF here! I have no idea where we'd be without it. It doesn't nearly cover our expenses, but it makes the difference that allows us to keep our home and feed our kids. My disability has become too severe to go back to work in the field I had been in, I'm working with vocational rehab, another government program to get restraining so I can return to a job I can sustain. Amazing! Right? Like maybe State money helping me, a Mom, get a career while making sure my family and I don't get evicted would maybe be better for our 3 kids, is better for everyone! That being said the moment we go back to work, even if it's part time barely above minimum wage, we lose it all at once, so that's nice. Oregon deals with with TANF better than many States, I'm sure, but I definitely think it's kind of a joke. It's designed to both de-incentivize getting work since there's no tear system to get off it (you're basically unemployed and qualify or employed and don't), and by no means does it cover all your rent or bills so if you dont have some kind of outside help to pay for your basic needs your screwed either way.

[@paulmentzer7658]

Have you applied for SSI or Social Security Disability? The fact that you are trying to be retrain by the Office of Voctional Rehabilitation does NOT mean you can not apply for Social Security Disability. The Office of Voctional Rehabilitation and the Social Security Administration have two DIFFERENT DIFINITION OF DISABILITY. People can be "disabled" for both programs. Please note, Social Security is known to deny application, for Social Security Disability, but you can appeal that denial to be heard by a Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). ALJ's are known to reversed 50 to 80 % of the denials that are heard by them. The main reason appears to be the "State Agency" that makes the first ruling applies the law about disability as Social Security woul like it to be, the ALJ must apply the law as it is, Thus the extremely higher reversal rate at the ALJ level. Remember, if you on Social Security Disability, that does NOT mean you can never return to work. Social Security has programs that encourge such work, but you have to be on Social Security disability for those work to apply.

[@kaylavorlicky311]

The twist on the narrative even worked on those who needed it. My grandmother raised 5 kids while working on her GED and working as the secretary to the police chief after divorcing her abusive husband (who never paid child support) and got welfare to keep afloat but now my relatives ignore that and claim welfare users are lazy!

[@scifirealism5943]

Yep.

[@scifirealism5943]

It's called survivorship bias.

[@whyarepeoplecrazy]

Completely ridiculous! I’m sorry.

[@zlpatriot11]

John, please do a piece on Social Security, SSI/SSDI, and Food Stamps. I am on SSI and I live in constant state of fear given how it keeps me and all those on it poor. Keep up the great work LWT!

[@gobsofgabs7379]

Seconding this!! And the lack of marriage equality for disabled people relying on Disability!

[@aceous99]

@@gobsofgabs7379 what marriage equality? no such thing.

[@anotherlilthing]

20 years ago when my eldest daughter was a baby I had to go on cash assistance in MI. It was less than 100 dollars a week and I had to prove I was job searching for 40 hours a week. It was a special kind of hell with a toddler in tow, no money for gas, and living in rural area with no public transportation. I wasn't on it long before I was kicked off for "non compliance".

[@bkminchilog1]

nothing has changed love

[@TheLittlemonster333]

Ok.

[@tycobb2580]

I believe it

[@Mialamorena1]

Yes THIS is the way😞

[@diegojines-us9pc]

parenthood is proving for your kids. since you said you couldn't do it alone where was the father. is it everyone else problem fixing what happened to you, seems you didnt mention the families of the parents chipping in either. welfare was sit up for the kids, as he had shown. how many 35 year old women are now facing hardship since their kids have left the house.

[@br8844]

I love how they say people on assistance are lazy. While some may be lazy, not everyone is. I was once a single mother with a little baby, and TANF helped me greatly to get him diapers and everything he needed. It was hard, but it took at least five years to be on my feet again. Of course, that was when he started school. I am thankful for the time I needed help and got help from the government. I tell people never to be ashamed if you need to go on any kind of assistance. You pay your taxes your government needs to take care of you because you take care of your government. Also for the government officials to look down their nose on people who need the assistance and need to be thrown out of office by the shirt collar.

[@jerlinej3516]

It feels like the rich who say that the poor are lazy are projecting their own behavior, there are so many rich people who are lazy AS HELL. A lot of them actually glorify laziness by calling it "passive income".

[@wunjonomads]

i always tell folks the same thing, you paid your taxes, its YOUR money coming back to you when you needed it most!

[@pme8370]

After a few years working at a shelter I realize that many people start life far behind others due to lack of resources and support. Some people are going to spend their whole lives trying to catch up and remaining behind. They don’t have stable primary caregivers. They don’t have anyone to lean on. No way of getting a good education, food, clothes, etc. So they can’t get good jobs, good incomes, none of that. They are always stuck in a cycle of poverty with little to no way out.

[@honeybadger1847]

In Nevada, TANF for a family of three with no other income is $386. The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Reno's scariest neighborhoods is $1,391. But no worries! Workforce training will prepare you to be a CNA or caregiver, among other lucrative careers, with a beginning hourly wage of $9.50. Maybe we should adopt Riverside's catchy jingle.

[@hauntedbelle]

That's Denver too. They teach you how to flip burgers and push brooms too. It's useful to put on your resume.

[@looseygoosey1349]

you and the people of Nevada should fix it.

[@adde9506]

PA too. Except our minimum wage is the federally required $7.35. Hot tip: if you want a decent job that's hiring like crazy, is easy to get and easy to keep, pays well enough, often provides cheap or free childcare, usually has good benefits, trains you in a few weeks, and exists in every community in the country... Drive a school bus. If your license isn't clean enough, be a bus or classroom aid until you can be promoted to bus driver. It can even be an in to substitute teacher, which can be an in to private school teacher. My district even offers a free online college program (and with the split shift, there's 4 hours every day to study).

[@devforfun5618]

@@maidenthe80sla that is actually the only correct answer, organize and change the system, but in the mean time people need to survive, that is the part of the problem that isn't as easy

[@stellatorgy8414]

And don’t forget that as soon as you get a job you are now over income for childcare!

[@BlessYerLittleHeart]

Thank you John Oliver for this episode! Not all “poor” people are lazy and looking for a way to live off the government. It’s such an unkind point of view. I don’t understand why so many Americans lack empathy. We’re a society of people- some of us need help and that’s nothing to be ashamed of. If this is such a great country how about we pay people a living wage and lift up those of us who need a hand?

[@advocacynaccountablity]

*Most* poor people are not lazy. Not only some of them. The system works for the rich. The rest of us only stand a chance by organizing and changing the laws.

[@Brakdayton]

@@advocacynaccountablity and voting for people who work for your most important interests.

[@pennyproud1621]

Right, thank you.

[@Amelia7o9]

The social safety nets in the United States are made out of razor wire. They don't actually help that much, and you'll be judged by everyone for needing them. This is why I literally starved instead of getting food stamps when I made enough for rent OR food/transportation. I remember feeling blessed by the universe when I found a $10 bill on the ground because I could get a $1 burger instead of Ramen.

[@donnavorce8856]

Similar story here. Could have . . . but didn't. Figured there were folks out there who needed it MUCH more than I did. I did get two sacks of groceries once from the Salvation Army. That was amazing.

[@scottchristofersen2367]

It’s not enough and is horribly riddled with regulations but it helps millions of people every year. Without it many would literally die.

[@jamesmarshall6619]

I didn't qualify for food stamps because I was told I was going to be fired. My colleagues, who were in the room being told I was going to be fired, asked me to resign instead because they thought the firing was bogus and didn't want it to look bad for my job prospects so I resigned. When I applied I was rejected because I had quit, was not fired. I appealed saying I was going to be fired so I took the organization to what was essentially a short court procedure over the phone. Judge ruled that there was no cause for me to be fired, they didn't do any due diligence, their interpretation of the policies I supposedly had violated were reaching at best. The judge basically blasted them but I was still denied because I took someone's word I was going to be fired instead of contesting the firing nor was I told explicitly by the lead administrator I was going to be fired (even though my colleague was told I was going to be fired by that administrator who admitted it) so even though I won the argument I still lost the appeal and was denied any benefits.

[@marquisdelafayette1929]

Yup. I got ejected from my car when it flipped on 95 due to a drunk driver. I was basically scalped, had a skull fracture, brain swelling, chest skin ripped off and hanging off, liver ripped nearly in half half , both lungs collapsed, and severe road rash burns on half my body. Spent a week in a coma, and they applied and got me Medicaid. Idk if you remember when you would spend an entire day at the welfare office and weeks gathering documentation from doctor after doctor. And repeat six months later. I was eventually kicked off and couldn’t afford pain meds to keep functional. Finding help and information wasn’t available especially for rehab and addiction treatment. I couldn’t afford to go to rehab because I would lose my apartment. Suboxone was new and outrageously expensive. They wanted a $400 up front cost plus $300 for the meds each month. Didn’t matter. I ended up getting arrested and they impounded my car, I lose my job, my apartment (got out and they put my stuff in storage and were trying to rent it out for $500 per month.. couldn’t afford to fight it and he refused to give me the security and last month). They wanted $1800 for my car and each day increased by $80. I found out I was pregnant so they took me to the hospital and I was put on methadone. Only way to continue to get treatment was to keep it. So basically extorting me to have the kid despite knowing my situation. 😂 My ex would hold pills over my head to force sex, one time I tried to leave and despite hitting me in front of a cop, the cop told oh well… didn’t even get out of the car.. finally left and had nowhere to go because every shelter was full. I ODed a few times and each time I was mad that someone revived me.. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

[@8arrows]

I rather starve than get a credit card. Assistance for ppl with “disposable incomes”. Sure, they are supposed to pay it back. But if everyone did, there wouldn’t be as high of a debt in America! And that’s not even taking into consideration ppl getting credit cards fraudulently. With no intention of every paying back a dime!

[@themountain59]

"This country is basically just a Third World country with a snappy theme song." Very well said 🏆

[@pennyproud1621]

Lol

[@Erin_Bee]

And great PR in the form of Hollywood movies.

[@ToudaHell]

That want every other country to be like it. If Canada become more like the US, I'm moving to Europe.

[@truchaXD117]

The US is the monkey with a machine gun of the Earth

[@LeeAScottII]

Thanks for highlighting this story. As a Mississippian, it’s amazing how our leaders look at defrauding this agency. It is wild. And there is no in-state accountability for the elected officials who pushed these actions which means the federal govt has to do the right thing. I hope that my fellow citizens keeps this in mind when we go to the polls this fall. It’s appalling & quite frankly sad

[@heritagelabrador3840]

Yes ! And Tate Reeves had his hand in the jar just like Phil did , that's why nothing happens

[@cpace7680]

@@heritagelabrador3840 Damn Tater the Crook!

[@LeeAScottII]

@@heritagelabrador3840 yep smh lol

[@kimscozyreads]

Then you see how much taxpayer money is going into that stupid vanity book Tater's wife got published. It's appalling

[@cpace7680]

@kimscozyreads6943 Didn't know about the book, but not really surprised! Theft is already bad, but 2 steal from poor folk as in one of the nation's poorest states...that should activate new portals to HELL!

[@ada-kayawalkerkeshaparsons7208]

Thank you for shining light on this I am a Mississippi indigenous citizen and we are struggling so bad here I'm so happy you finally care America but better late than never

[@satsunada]

I was trying to fill Community Service hours for a college project and tried signing on about half a dozen charities in the area. One of the most prominent let me come in for an interview and general lookaround for candidates. So they bring you in, tell you about their successes with the homeless and what they do.. then you get the application. You are REQUIRED to ensure that the Lord was your top priority. This means that you were to ensure that the homeless inside attended all required evangelical services (wed night and Sun) and if they missed one, they were thrown out. Also, anything that went against preaching to them was against the rules, so psychologists and doctors were FORCED to remind them of their sins before administering aid and all solutions had to involve preaching to them somehow. This type of setup was so deep that missing the evening prayer for dinner or not properly acknowledging it would get you thrown out. And if you were a muslim/jew/anything but Christian, good luck because they FORCED you to attend bible studies and the entire purpose for you was converting you .. not helping you. This charity took in 10's of millions of dollars in donations and had support of all local authorities and government bodies. I didn't work there, it scared me.

[@chishioengi]

That's freaking terrifying

[@jamiemetcalfe7945]

Wow! What state is that in?

[@stanbyme7874]

Where’s this?!

[@melodye14]

Sounds more like a cult than a charity.

[@johannageisel5390]

Religion is rotting the USA from the inside. These bullshit goals that John cited for the TANF program (two-parent family, no children out of wedlock etc.) are another symptom of that.

[@jbeta4948]

I lost my job and didn't have savings or an income 11 years ago in Arizona. It was extremely difficult to get food stamps and I had to apply to jobs every week. The phone line to call to renew benefits often didn't work. It was a nightmare. This country is damaged in a way that needs to be remedied from it's core.

[@scifirealism5943]

Yep

[@bigbongojoe5734]

Its crazy to see how much corruption is happening within our country. Imagine the things we don't know.

[@itsfinn2183]

I think about this often… i don’t know if I want to know the kinds of crazy shit tho

[@Robert_McGarry_Poems]

How much is just manipulated propaganda, and how much of it is actually organic... And then how much don't we know. Boggles the mind to imagine that anyone is actually a capitalist.

[@btarczy5067]

„Imagine the things we don’t know“ is a sentence many Americans have taken to heart and I can’t say it’s always working out well.

[@ProbablyOnLSD69]

@@btarczy5067 lmao

[@MarcelaElviraTimis]

From an outsider: yes, it is.

[@gurusmurf5921]

Before we bailout the wealthy we should make them listen to that album for 40 hours while writing out the lyrics 1000 times.

[@johnnyonthespot4375]

I'm sorry but that just isn't fair whatsoever.... Only 40 hours ?!

[@Adriodyn]

Lool, get a job. Lazy bums.

[@EternalAmmonite]

Make them do it for minimum wage. Every $7.25 they want, they have to listen and write for 1 hour.

[@scifirealism5943]

​@@EternalAmmonitebeautiful

[@BluetheRaccoon]

I'd like to also point out how being disabled and unable to work makes getting TANF even harder.

[@diamond6811]

I second this. I'm disabled with 2 teenagers under my roof. We are allotted just over 1000 a month to live off of, and that is supposed to pay for food, shelter, clothes, electric, gas, heat, car payments, school fundraising, copays on insulin, insurance, etc. for 3 people. And I'm not allowed to own over 2k in savings or assets. Not allowed to get my teeth fixed bc no dental and too needy to be able to afford it. We do not qualify for TANF. #ThanksBrettFarve

[@TheMotherDucker]

Impossible. You can't get disability and tanf together. Ever. I had an infant after being raped in foster care and being forced to birth. They told me flat out disability is at least double tanf "be grateful" in 2006 it was about $500 a month. Honestly tanf are better off they are so poor every program helps them because they might be able to work. Meanwhile disabled people are labeled as unable to ever contribute because..government. sigh.

[@tamaramontgomery631]

Thanks John for updating us on this. I was wowing when these criminals were going to be charged especially Brett Favre.

[@sonyalenz]

This topic, like all of Jon Oliver’s stories, is extremely real, serious, and happening…and the riveting way, through laughter and understanding that it is told is beyond masterful. This show is genius and Jon is hands down, the best. Always appreciated, never disappointed. Thank you, Last a week Tonight team…even your title is perfection.

[@ittixen]

The USA never fails to drop my jaw to the floor with creative ways to be cruel that I would never even imagine. This intense hatred against the working class is truly puzzling, especially the weird way the working class itself is infected with it.

[@donnavorce8856]

We've got hoards of people nearly impoverished who keep on voting for the very people who refuse to help when they could vote for social programs. (Same folks who want to force women to give birth in most cases.)

[@willieverusethis]

Well stated.

[@shiny_x3]

@Jim Frazier Case in point! You are the perfect example of someone whose brain has been colonized by the rich to turn on the poor so the rich can keep stealing from you.

[@technopoptart]

@Jim Frazier i'm sure you can troll better better than that. don't be so lazy.

[@technopoptart]

it is the same as the coin-in-the-ear trick. you divert people's attention away from the source so they don't see you palming the money

[@debramcdaniel1201]

I worked for several state welfare agencies in the 70’s. The list of excessive, demeaning questions that applicants were required to answer included: Where did you meet the father of your child? Most popular answer: “walking” Who is the father of your child? Most popular answer: “Michael Jackson” I accepted their sincere answers and entered them in their files. It was a horrible, inefficient system that challenged everyone applying and seemed the intention was to humiliate people who needed assistance and employ recent college graduates who were clueless.

[@pennyproud1621]

Damn that's crazy. It's still demeaning today but it ain't that blatant. Woochile!

[@brittanyt729]

Could the questions about the father actually be about establishing a way to attain child support?

[@jonblaze333]

@Brittany T im guessing that's what it is, that way they give u less and take his wages. So, it could be a good or bad thing depending on the arrangement the parents have.

[@katelangworthy8698]

Truly, and don't forget the most humiliating question... was anyone present that can verify you and the father were involved? And, yes it WAS as disgusting and graphic as that question sounds! It's been 35 years and the memory still makes me feel ill🤮. That is what they did, and similarly do to poor women who need lifelines- to shame them.

[@DJJezzebella]

Wow! Does Michael Jackson know he's the father of the greater part of poverty line America? Were they all named Billie Jean by any chance? And right after his mother always told him to be careful what he does don't go around breaking young girls hearts!

[@janedoe247]

Super informative and factual as always!!!! Keep it up John Oliver!!!

[@___Tj]

If only Congress took John Oliver's topics and acted upon them. Just imagine how much better this country would be

[@jayceh]

So you're asking for competent government - in the United States of _America_ ? Please provide your mailing address and the FBI will be along shortly for your communism-sympathy

[@Ensensu2]

They make too much welfare money to care.

[@MimiMcNugget]

To be fair, if they would be that idealistic, those Problems wouldn't have come into existence in the first place

[@greatestone4eva]

agreed

[@taylorbug9]

They're not going to do that though, because then that would stop them from getting rich off of us.

[@Iseerightthruyou]

We are only as wealthy as our poorest, as healthy as our sickest, and as educated as our least educated. We can not live up to the image we are selling, as long as so many in our society are left behind

[@dryanmurphy5619]

Weakest link in the chain analogy...yes

[@mantasa0000]

@@dryanmurphy5619 Not quite, that would be failing to understand the point.

[@MattyJ55046]

@@mantasa0000 this doesn’t make sense.

[@couragekarnga8735]

Well said.

[@Im.Okay.Youre.Fucked]

Ok, well the poorest 20% of Americans are richer than the average person in the wealthiest European nations. Worldwide, the poorest Americans are in the top 1%. 80% of the worlds population lives off $2.15 a day. People loose sight of just how wealthy we are. As for health and education, maybe not so much.

[@amyschmidt1113]

THANK YOU MR OLIVER!!!!! It's so hard to make it in this world. People with good jobs just don't know how bad it is. It's been hard for decades and just keeps getting harder and harder.

[@cherrywilson6267]

Good jobs? Honey you just have to want more than making fries. Get training or do something than be the victim

[@nomadicam]

​@@cherrywilson6267 I think you're lost.

[@michaeladkins6]

@@cherrywilson6267 Corporations lay off thousands if the winds changes direction.

[@iftekharmamun9229]

Thanks John for finding out most are not aware of it. But its also important to see if these problems are being addressed nationwide and the law makers who messed up from the beginning. These policy makers and bureaucrats should be help responsible and bring them to proper accountability.

[@heathermcpherson1388]

When I had to go on assistance as a single mother of two toddlers when I had to have brain surgery, I was told that I would no longer qualify for TANF if I made over $325 per month. When I asked how I could pay my bills with $326 the only answer I got was " I don't know, but you won't get assistance".

[@shaec3405]

That Is SO FUCKED UP. I'M GLAD YOU SURVIVED

[@prettyevil6662000]

Got a similarly dismissive response when I needed medical aid. Except I was told to get pregnant if I really needed medical care since being pregnant was the only way for an adult to get medicaid in my state. Usually the people I encountered at the welfare office were nice and you could tell they were just as upset about the limitations as we all are. But there's always that one awful person in the office it seems.

[@valivali8104]

😨🤢😡

[@jamesdooling4139]

My family is compromised of two, adult, gay men who've been together for going on 21 years... My husband survived a gay bashing in the 1990s thanks to 18 hours of surgery and then had a hemorrhagic stroke of the basal ganglia at 5:04pm, May 8, 2020. He is paralyzed and lives in a bed. He receives Social Security ($15,000/yr) and we just waited out his 24-month Medicare process... I am his 24-hour a day caregiver. I cannot leave the house. On a good day, I get four hours of sleep. He has severe epilepsy, is totally incontinent, legally blind, and cannot bathe nor barely feed himself. Our life is a literal nightmare every day. We live FAR below the poverty line. Do you know what we qualify for with regard to any other help? NOTHING. Not a damned thing. He's 55 and I'm 46. Thanks, Texas. Thanks, USA. We salute you...

[@denisemcdougal6445]

Holding you and your husband in my prayers .

[@nicole-me2oj]

God, I’m so sorry.

[@johannageisel5390]

I'm so extremely sorry. This system has failed you completely. :(

[@KendrixTermina]

This is so cruel :( Here in europe ppl taking care of a disabled spouse or family member would be entitled to tons of assistance, so your terrible circumstances seem so blatantly unneccesary. This is why my mom always says she doesn't mind the high taxes in Germany because when her sister got paralyzed toward the end of her life, the state covered everything: Bed, wheelchair, diapers, a contraption to help bathe her, funds for a disability-friendly appartment... my cousins even got a stipend while taking care of her so they could complete their schooling. Both of them are well to do now, but they probably wouldn't be if they had been forced to choose between finishing their education & taking care of their mom. nowdays you cant turn on the internet without reading about some USAmerican being in suicidal despair cause there is barely any healthcare or unemployment money, and even if you have a job working conditions are so bad... & there is nothing we can do from over here.... its so unfair.

[@richardspillers6282]

@@KendrixTermina yeah here in the states it's quite common to have to quit your job to care for your sick loved ones with no assistance.

[@TotalContemplation]

Yep. Single mother of 2 here, and I was getting $600 a month for which I had to attend 6 hours of classes a day on how to find a job, do a resume, etc... all of which I know how to do, THAT ISN'T THE PROBLEM!! On top of the 6 hours a day of class time, I had to spend 2 hours a day applying for work. All of this while being denied child care assistance for not having a job. So my very young children were home with me... It was REDICULOUS! I dropped out because I realized I could make the same amount doing side jobs. And then, at least, I wasn't being condescended to all day, and actually made a decent per hour wage.

[@wendylafolle]

I'm very sorry. However, you just proved the opposite point, that making it hard to get welfare got you to actually get a job, or several. The real problem is when not getting welfare makes it more difficult to get work.

[@TotalContemplation]

@wendylafolle lol! I'm sorry. You think $600 a month is even close to livable? I said "same as" not "more" and "side jobs" meaning when I could did them, IF I could find them AND.... IT STILL WASNT ENOUGH TO LIVE!! Now, before you say, "get a normal job", I can tell you to kindly kiss my ass. You have no clue how long I hated myself for not being "able" to keep the shit jobs I did get because I prioritize my kids over everything else. Meaning, for instance, I won't force them to go to daycare with a fever, or skip doctor appointments, or leave them with strangers when daycare isn't an option. Okay? As for "work more than one job"- please piss off!! Everyone who days that can piss off all the way to their therapist, which is where my kids will have to go if I wind up letting other people raise them while I try to make ends meet in a shit system with a shit mentality, like "work 3 jobs if you have to! Fuck your kids!" No. No. No. Live it before you blab your crap about it

[@penname8441]

+

[@nope53926]

@@wendylafolle Gross, her success means our broken system works...

[@maggiee639]

@@wendylafolle why even have it then??

[@MsMadelineTwoPointOh]

I'm so glad you became a citizen of the U.S.A. Watching you get after it, makes me proud. Thanks and kudos.