Are you on any type of welfare?

[Supersonic]

Yes, as I guess student loans/maintenance grants count as a form of welfare.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Just about everything imaginable. Free school meals/daycare/disability/medicaid ect ect.

A yellow avatar on welfare? And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street.

[muon2]

I think too often that any government program gets lumped into welfare. That may play into current political debate but it doesn't really match the definition. Here's what Merriam Webster online says:

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The key is the connection to an individual in need. Employment by the government is not welfare since it is money in exchange for work. Government services available to the public at large would not be welfare either.

In higher ed an academic scholarship to a state university would not count, but a need-based scholarship would count.

Tax policy is designed to favor or disfavor certain types of economic activity, and are not really about money for those in need. An exception would be the earned income tax credit or disability-based exemptions which could meet the definition.

So muon2, I need not feel guilty about all the government largess I get because it isn't welfare eh? Folks of means can't be on welfare, even if in the form of those checks for cash I get from the feds for not growing corn, with about double the profit margin than if I do. Fantastico!

Feel guilty if you like, or not, but your guilt has nothing to do with welfare.

[King]

The key is the connection to an individual in need. Employment by the government is not welfare since it is money in exchange for work. Government services available to the public at large would not be welfare either.

In higher ed an academic scholarship to a state university would not count, but a need-based scholarship would count.

Tax policy is designed to favor or disfavor certain types of economic activity, and are not really about money for those in need. An exception would be the earned income tax credit or disability-based exemptions which could meet the definition.

But aren't all of these things needs to the person that receives him?

I'm pretty sure if dead0man suddenly had to pay taxes on his mortgage, he'd be dire in need.

[Fed. Pac. Chairman Devin]

Just about everything imaginable. Free school meals/daycare/disability/medicaid ect ect.

A yellow avatar on welfare? And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street.

You can thank Walmart for that.

[Maxwell]

If you count parents paying for college dorm costs, then yes.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Just about everything imaginable. Free school meals/daycare/disability/medicaid ect ect.

A yellow avatar on welfare? And to think that I saw it on Mulberry Street.

Some would argue the Ron Paul approach to earmarks.  They should be eliminated, but until they are, if you're paying money into the programs, you should do what you can to get that money back.

It's certainly a logical position to take, although not one that every libertarian does.

[President Tyrion]

If tax breaks count, yes, otherwise, no.

[morgieb]

Disability support pension.

If it's not too much to ask, what's you disability?

Asperger's/autism.

Though I suspect laziness also helps that If it's good enough for the Australian government, it's good enough for me

[DC Al Fine]

I get a sales tax rebate (about $75/mth) because I'm "low income" despite having wealthy parents and living at home.

[DINGO Joe]

I get a sales tax rebate (about $75/mth) because I'm "low income" despite having wealthy parents and living at home.

Welfare Queen

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

Sure, I attend university for 600€ a year.

(If we want to define "welfare" that way.)

Wow.  And to think we consider ourselves the greatest nation...

[politicallefty]

I'm currently indebted to the federal government when it comes to student loans.

[muon2]

The key is the connection to an individual in need. Employment by the government is not welfare since it is money in exchange for work. Government services available to the public at large would not be welfare either.

In higher ed an academic scholarship to a state university would not count, but a need-based scholarship would count.

Tax policy is designed to favor or disfavor certain types of economic activity, and are not really about money for those in need. An exception would be the earned income tax credit or disability-based exemptions which could meet the definition.

But aren't all of these things needs to the person that receives him?

I'm pretty sure if dead0man suddenly had to pay taxes on his mortgage, he'd be dire in need.

In the strict definition, needs are not wants though a person may feel otherwise.

[anvi]

Restricting myself to the definition cited by muon2, because of my visual impairment, I received Social Security disability benefits between the ages of 18 and 26.  Depending on the year, they ranged from $300-600 a month (increased after my dad died).  I used them to pay for rent and food while I was putting myself through college and graduate school.  After graduating, I became a university teacher.  Since I was once attacked on this forum for having received these benefits, I'll just say that I hope the public doesn't feel ripped off by my reliance on welfare to get through college..but if they do, they should change the law and not blame me.