you'd have to have at least 8 children to get that kind of money!!.. for a single person, it's at the poverty line, and you don't get enough to even rent an apartment!. you'd have to find a section 8 apartment, and good luck at getting that!.. the benefits are MUCH less for an honest, single person!!.. it's the abusers that han't gotten caught yet that get huge benefits!!..
as someone that has done income tax returns for many years...NOT TRUE!
See my other post - if you make 16k (full time min wage or there abouts) and have 3 kids the feds will refund all your income tax paid in AND give you about $9k in cash refund AND full health care with no deductible and $2 copay. that's well beyond a cadillac plan that runs $1000-1500 a month (and more with 3 kids).
So yeah, 40k is about right.
And where does one get a $20/hour job?
You can teach school - MAYBE - and make that. If you're willing to spend $70k on a degree and work as a teachers aide for 2 or 3 years - at $9.50./hour here.
Union Teamsters pay $15.76.
Union Public transit drivers pay $13.79/hour.
Manager at a grocery store 16.11/hour.
Now if you go to tech school for HVAC/R you will start at 65k. Same or better for welder, IF you're willing to work outside. Factory welder here pays $15/hour (i did his tax return).
Selling cars at a dealership can pay $60-80k - again, did the tax returns.
And you can get housing here for 15-25% of your annual income (section 8/public welfare project) and there is NO income limit....