COVID-19 has us getting things we didn't ask for

[Traci_Momof2]

and I'm not complaining.

DH lost his job mid-April due to a Covid related layoff. He right away applied for unemployment. He has been going online and doing his unemployment check in like he's supposed to. We still haven't received a check from unemployment because they are so behind.

In the meantime, DH needed health insurance and when I called to add him to our policy through the Healthcare exchange (healthcare.gov) they said we had to go through Medicaid first because our income was so low (w/o DH's job yeah it would be). I even asked the dude if we could bypass Medicaid and he said no, it had to go through them. Just today I checked the status of the Medicaid application online and it said "enrolled" so I assume that means we are approved and should get cards in the mail soon.

Also just this past week we got a P-EBT card in the mail. We didn't ask for food stamps, and when I was doing the Medicaid application I'm pretty sure she asked about food stamps and I said no we don't need that, we just need the healthcare. But from what's on the card and the document with it, it looks like it's specifically related to having school aged children. Either way, I checked the balance today and it has $315 on it.

I've never in my life been on Medicaid. I've never in my life been on food stamps of any kind. But hey, I'll take it. Especially since DH isn't receiving his unemployment yet, and I bring home about $300 a week, we'll take whatever we can get right now. We don't really need it. We can pay for our own healthcare through the exchange, and we can pay our own groceries. We have my income plus a decent cushion in savings. But they're throwing this stuff at us so why not. Especially since we don't really know how long it will be until DH gets a job. He's finding ones to apply for and is having some interviews, but it hasn't gone any further yet.

Just kind of odd this stuff we are getting, and we never would have gotten had it not been for the pandemic.

[WellPreserved]

I applied for unemployment March 27th and started receiving it about two weeks ago. The good thing was that my first deposit covered the entire period March 27th-May 12th.

I'm going to put in a shameless plug. Please consider using your EBT card at your local farmers market. Most markets have a match program, i.e., run your EBT card for $30/get $60 of tokens to spend in the market. It is a great way to support your local food economy.

[MrsDavidB]

The food stamp card here is being issued also BUT your child has to be receiving free or reduced price lunch at the school. $370 per child. Our schools have also been serving lunch everyday to kids 0-18 either pick it up 10-2 or they will bring it to you. They are definitely making sure no kid goes hungry here. (NC)

[WellPreserved]

The food stamp card here is being issued also BUT your child has to be receiving free or reduced price lunch at the school. $370 per child. Our schools have also been serving lunch everyday to kids 0-18 either pick it up 10-2 or they will bring it to you. They are definitely making sure no kid goes hungry here. (NC)

In our school district, all kids were put on the free lunch roster when the schools shut down. They have been delivering lunches on school days (following the regular bus schedule) and frozen breakfasts and dinners on Fridays.

[Traci_Momof2]

I applied for unemployment March 27th and started receiving it about two weeks ago. The good thing was that my first deposit covered the entire period March 27th-May 12th.

I'm going to put in a shameless plug. Please consider using your EBT card at your local farmers market. Most markets have a match program, i.e., run your EBT card for $30/get $60 of tokens to spend in the market. It is a great way to support your local food economy.

I'm not against supporting local farmers markets. However, I've never seen tokens at a farmers market. All markets I've been to you pay in cash or some vendors may be set up for debit/credit, usually on their phone through Square or something like that.
Not to mention we are out of season here for our Farmers Market. Ours typically runs Oct - May but this year they closed it end of March when the city shut down (they are a city sponsored event so they follow city rules).

It's good to know unemployment is paying back pay. We figured they would, but until we actually see it there's always that concern.

[Slindsley5]

My DH was extremely lucky his unemployment was approved like 2 days after applying and started getting benefits the next week. Lots of people are having trouble we have no idea why is happened so fast but very grateful .

I hope your DH is approved soon.

[Traci_Momof2]

The food stamp card here is being issued also BUT your child has to be receiving free or reduced price lunch at the school. $370 per child. Our schools have also been serving lunch everyday to kids 0-18 either pick it up 10-2 or they will bring it to you. They are definitely making sure no kid goes hungry here. (NC)

Our school district started sending breakfasts and lunches around by bus to any child in the district. Didn't have to qualify for free or reduced. That started as soon as school closed. We never bothered signing up for it because it wasn't necessary.

Now that school is officially done for us (last day of school was May 21st, even before Covid happened) I don't know what they are doing regarding the meals. Maybe that's why these P-EBT cards are going out. [[shrugs}}

[WellPreserved]

I applied for unemployment March 27th and started receiving it about two weeks ago. The good thing was that my first deposit covered the entire period March 27th-May 12th.

I'm going to put in a shameless plug. Please consider using your EBT card at your local farmers market. Most markets have a match program, i.e., run your EBT card for $30/get $60 of tokens to spend in the market. It is a great way to support your local food economy.

I'm not against supporting local farmers markets. However, I've never seen tokens at a farmers market. All markets I've been to you pay in cash or some vendors may be set up for debit/credit, usually on their phone through Square or something like that.
Not to mention we are out of season here for our Farmers Market. Ours typically runs Oct - May but this year they closed it end of March when the city shut down (they are a city sponsored event so they follow city rules).

It's good to know unemployment is paying back pay. We figured they would, but until we actually see it there's always that concern.

At least in Virginia, tokens at farmers markets are only used for EBT users - it enables us to do the match. At our market we also run credit cards and give tokens for use at the market because many of our vendors don't have square. But we might be unusual! In Virginia, farmers markets were deemed essential businesses.

[Deleted User 670]

Don't you dare feel ashamed or guilty either. That's what that stuff is there for to help people who've lost their incomes. I hope your hubs finds employment soon.

[carterscutie85]

I am definitely grateful for the P-EBT right now. We are not laid off but we don't qualify for food stamps so $300 in free groceries is definitely helpful.