Not sure if I am one one of the unempathetic ones since I commented on knowing people personally who abused the system, but I can assure you that I am not. We went through a heck of a difficult situation with my dad this past year trying to get him government assistance while tapping out our own resouces to help him, so I have a first hand understanding of how this stuff goes. Life doesn't always go as planned, people have hard luck or make mistakes (or both), and I support assistance programs as a hand up as long as they are not abused...
@barbara I'm sorry if I labeled you as a bad mother or someone who shouldn't have a child, but a child is a huge deal (not saying you don't realize this) even if they are planned. When they aren't increase that tenfold.
I recall the mental distress you were in those months ago & my concern was that they might surface again after the birth of the baby, because let's face it ... It ain't going to be easy, ESP with the strain of your home, financial & situations with your parents & ex hanging over you.