For those unfamiliar, Welfare payments are made in the US to individuals
and families with income below a set level. The following quotations are taken
from actual letters received by the Welfare Department in applications for
support of receiving payments.
I am forwarding my marriage certificate
and 6 children. I had seven but one died which was baptized 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 out 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.
