LETTERS TO WELFARE
For those unfamiliar, Welfare payments are made in the US to
individuals and families with income below a certain level.
The following quotations are taken from actual letters received
by the Welfare Departmentin applications for support of
receiving payments.
- I am forwarding my marriage certificate and 6 children.
I had seven but one died which was baptised on a half sheet
of paper.
- I am writing the welfare department to say that my baby
was born two years old. When do I get my money?
- Mrs. Jones has not had any clothes for two years and
has been visited regularly by the clergy.
- I cannot get sick pay. I have six children can you tell me why?
- I am glad to report that my husband who is missing is dead.
- This is my eighth child. What are you going to do about it.
- Please find for certain if my husband is dead. The man I am
now living with can't do anything until he knows.
- I am very much annoyed to find out that you have branded my son
illiterate. This is a dirty lie as I was married a week before
he was born.
- In answer to your letter, I have given birth to a son weighing
10 lbs. I hope this is satisfactory.
- I am forwarding my marriage certificate and my 3 children
one of which is a mistake as you can see.
- My husband got his project cut off about two weeks ago and I
haven't had any relief since.
- Unless I get my husband's money pretty soon, I will be
forced to lead an immortal life.
- You have my changed little boy to a girl, will this
make any difference?
- I have no children yet, as my husband is a truck
driver and works night and day.
- I want money as quick as I can get it. I have been in bed
with the doctor for two weeks and he doesn't do me any good.
If things don't improve, I will have to send for another doctor.
- In accordance with your instructions, I have given birth to
twins in the enclosed envelope.