If your not reporting money that is made under the table on taxes it will catch up to you at some point in your life! And the cost will be double! So why people do this is not understanding especially since the costs are so high if your caught, jail time and if your lucky only have to pay back taxes.
Yes Id wait til his pension goes down to apply, if you get it while they are high you may get it for sure but then have to pay it back. That is in the fine print that is too often ovelooked, and Id betcha theyd take it at your worst time. So waiting is best..
Try to get by without these programs they only stagnate your life. Use only as last resort. Cause you may just have to pay it all back!

It is my understanding that section 8 has a waiting list, so it would take some time to get in and get a voucher or certificate. If you think that you may need that type of assistance I would contact your local housing authority or whoever handles that ASAP. As long as you are honest about your income I do not believe that you would have to pay back any food stamp benefits that you may be eligible for and I would definitely apply the day his severence package runs out.

My son worked for a family owned restraunt and they thought they could pay him under the table..The FBI came in an audited the company and found he had been working under the table as were several other employees..The buisness is under investigation for money laundering...And my son was faced with posible Jail time..The only thing that saved his butt is that I told him to claim what he thought he was paid on taxes..I made him well aware of this even before all this happened..Years ago..He showed that he claimed it and had to pay back taxes on it but the company buisness was shut down and audited..They were off for a year tried to pull the same thing again. They had to switch owners in the family...and my son was wise enough to leave the company for what ever reasons might come next..He works for a major company now and reports everything! As for the family buisness, you play with fire too long you do eventually get burned... Some people got deported back to Mexico, and the buisness is now being transferred to another family member..

My son wiped his hands of that whole situation...Wont work for another company unless its all on the books!

Thanks for the advice will have to start keeping better records on income.

Both housing and food stamps will insist on documenting everything. I mentioned that my Dad had paid me $30 for helping him with yard work and they had to have a letter from him saying it was a one time thing and that he wasn't regularly providing me support.

My advice is to call or stop by your local office, explain the situation and ask them if you should apply now or wait.

I think all of us would agree that HONESTY is the best policy. I knew a woman who had lied to the section 8 office and when she was found out, she literally committed suicide to avoid prosecution.

I have several neighbors who receive food stamp benefits, if you need them by all means apply, but honesty is the best policy in all of our dealings but an absolute must when dealing with government benefits.

Good Luck and hopefully it will not come to that.

it is important to be honest with food stamps...I reported income from unemployment and then in making money during unemployed times from under the radar (my driving school business) I seem to have gone over the limits a few times but I never got cut off and when I did report that I made money all they wanted was to get info from my employer...and they (employer) never sent it in...said they never got it....from me...I called food stamp worker and asked for new forms...she never sent them until my benefit year ran out and at that point I had just begun new job making way too much money to get benefits now...so I did not sign back up...

Usually every state has a food stamp calculator on its website.
go to googel type in the name of your state food stamps and it should bring you a wealth of information.

Try this site out for food stamps
https://www.benefitscheckup.org/snap.cfm?gclid=CO-y6Lavh6sCFSE8gwod-iiK3g

As long as your under the income limit for housing assistance you can apply. I have been waiting since June of 2008 for that and still have gotten nothing but excuses.

Couggenny,

First of all it depends which state you are in. $2000 a month in income is not a lot once you deduct rent, utilities, etc. Do you have any children? If so, there are deductions to take into account for them as well. I think if you are struggling NOW, then apply now. Once your income has been REDUCED, tell your caseworker and they will adjust your food stamps. Section 8 differs by the city. Each city should be contacted to see if their list is closed or open. You can also apply for Section 8 in cities around you. You don't necessarily have to stay in the city or even state that you are in. I applied for Section 8 in Arizona while I was still living in Michigan and updated my address once I moved to Arizona.
Check out my articles for some tips on budgeting for food and help with rent and utilities if you need it.
http://stayingalivemoma.hubpages.com/_2qasbbw091npz/hub/The-Art-of-Living-Hand-to-Mouth