The technical stuff.
For those who need to know or are just curious how this all works out.
My welfare (yup, welfare) caseworker has known about jewelery biz, my blog and my ebay user name since last summer when I started on ebay and in the fall when I started making jewelery.
It works like this, if I make more than $300 per month, like say $301.00, it has to be reported and claimed. It actually makes zero affect on my case at all. It does not change any amounts of welfare received which is nothing at all people. If you think I'm living the high life down here collecting welfare, you are like so sorely mistaken.
I end up selling off my possessions to pay bills all the time, that's how little welfare is.
Yesterday after I got off the phone with the store owner, I called the IRS, yes, the IRS! Can you believe it?! Kat's following the law with this whole thing! What a shocker that she's not trying to scam anyone here eh?!
I got my new tax id number, my EIN. I am official.
It's going to take 2-4 weeks to get the paper version so NONE of my stuff can be sold at her store until we have the paper version.
I then got off the phone from IRS and called my caseworker. I told her my good news. She was elated for me. This may be just what I was hoping to do cuz welfare living sucks folks. She was very excited and told me as soon as I receive my first paycheck *squee* to call her and or bring it down so she can copy it.
If it's under $300 again, it has zero affect on my case, again.
This could take off right away or it could take months and months to build up enough revenue to be considered "taken off welfare".
I have always followed the rules people.
I know what I am doing. I would never commit fraud. I mean, how stupid would I be to go announcing this on the internet and not tell my caseworker!! Good grief! One would have to be pretty stupid don't ya think? My name is on here, people know my name, people do business with me, snail mail and all that jazz.
Do ya really think I'd be so stupid to not do all this on the up and up?
You can send nasty emails, you can post "reminder comments" for me to follow the law folks but I am so far ahead of you on this.
I appreciate your citizenly concern, I really do but I am not so stupid to go posting this kind of stuff if it hasn't already been made legal.
There is a new private entry up.
Comments
That is exciting news! You are making some nice stuff -- I'm sure it will work out well. But be sure to protect yourself at the business end - fair prices, etc.
Posted by: Terry | April 15, 2005 7:13 AM
Congratulations!! fantastic news! You are one of the hardest working people I know, so here's hoping you get lots of sales!
But I agree with Terry--I know you're a smart woman, but be careful out there...
Posted by: bakednudel | April 15, 2005 7:24 AM
You have really thought this through and I'm really excited for you!!
I love the set you created in my honor and you did such a nice job! I can totally see myself wearing that!!
I hope you start making some serious money soon!
Posted by: JustAgirl | April 15, 2005 9:16 AM
I never even questioned you being honest Kat. Plus, even with all you go through you're still trying to make money for your family. I'm just glad all your hard work is finally paying off. *HUGS*
Posted by: Karen | April 15, 2005 9:44 AM
Kat,
Congrats!! I am glad you do the things by the book. I was worried when you were having problems with the toxic people in your life that someone might try to accuse you of not being on the up and up. Sometimes when others hurt they try to strike out. I guess being honest does sometimes still have its advantages. Always better to play it safe!
I think you create beautiful jewelery. I hope you have much success!
Take care!!
Posted by: Mildred | April 15, 2005 9:46 AM
That's great. It sounds like you know exactly what you are doing. I hope you have great success!
Posted by: MJ | April 15, 2005 10:53 AM
Me too, thanks MJ. :)
Posted by: kat | April 15, 2005 10:58 AM
Well it's not only that people try to hurt me, which they do and they try to do it for some sick form of entertainment, but because welfare fraud is a federal crime punishable by jail time. I'm not up for that.
I have always played by the rules and considering I have filed for disability as well as am on welfare until I get my disability, it's really really hard to do anything stupid.
I get audited by welfare every 3 months so uh, really, it's nearly impossible for me to screw them over and do anything illegal.
Posted by: kat | April 15, 2005 11:02 AM
Well it's not paying off yet. I still have to physically meet with her and IF she likes my work, then we could go fwd from there. That's why i asked everyone to keep their fingers crossed for me. I want this to work. I want off of welfare and to provide for my family on my own.
Posted by: kat | April 15, 2005 11:06 AM
Oh I am. This lady is totally on the up and up. She won't even take any of my pieces to her store until we have my paper EIN.
Posted by: kat | April 15, 2005 11:08 AM