LonelyGirl, I am really sorry to hear you this beaten down. Those of us in states with more humane programs for the poor have a lot to be grateful for. I do believe these disparities in income support among the states will trend in the direction of leveling off, over the long haul, but that does you little good at the moment. So much of what is making my life a little easier than yours at the moment is just that I live in a different state. The reality is that, though we are all Americans, we sure don't all have access to the same safety net. Moving isn't a great option when your have family ties where you are at. I am lucky that many years ago I made a conscious decision to move to a part of the country where it would be less difficult to be poor. I do miss my family though.