Saturday, July 11, 2009
Minimum Wage Increase
I just read today on Yahoo! News that the federal government will be increasing the minimum wage to a $1.00 more. I mean really that should have been done years ago. But thats not the real issue. The real issue is that the poverty level is $12,441 a year for a single person. The poverty level is what helps determine who is eligible for government assistance, such as food stamps, daycare vouchers, cash assistance, housing, and healthcare. So that means if you make $13,000 a year you are above the poverty level and do not qualify for assistance. So how can anyone survive on just $13,000 a year without any help? I work at a non-profit organization where I assist individuals in the community apply for Masshealth(free health insurance for Massachusetts residence who cannot afford it and are not offered any other health insurance) and foodstamps. And I come across this problem unfortunately way too often. I have people come in who make $8.00 an hour and work full time hours (40) and they get a letter back from Masshealth saying that they are above the poverty level and do not qualify. You tell me who the hell can live off of 8 an hour and still afford health insurance that runs about $180 a month for an individual. This system the federal government has in place needs to be rectified ASAP or we will many hungry and uninsured families walking around.
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wow, I never knew that the poverty level was a little under $13,000. There is no way anyone can survive making $8.00 an hour.. I do it myself. Last fall semester,I was working 6 days a week, that only put me at 33 hours/week. Theres no time to even live when your working that much and in school... you're working to live. Its rediculous. I mean I still live at home because I live in Bridgewater, but I still have bills and school to pay for. I really hope to see that $1 raise, especially since Ive been at my current job for a year and havnt seen a raise from them yet...
ReplyDeleteWow--I was going to try to say something interesting about your post, but now I am watching webcam views from Poland and Estonia blip in and out. Randomly fascinating! Now the view from Japan looks just like the latest U2 album cover! The view from Idaho, however, does not.... OK, I'm done.
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