Law and Poverty

Fall 2008

Glesner Fines

 

Problem           Prepare a Written Budget to Turn in Next Class

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            Diane Johnson is a 28 year old woman who has two children, John, 5, and Alicia, 3.  Diane’s marriage ended soon after her mobile home in Fallbrook, California was destroyed by fire in October 2007.  Diane came to Kansas City to stay with her friend Amanda after the fire.  Diane and the two children stay in one bedroom in her friend’s two bedroom home in Brookside. Amanda has told Diane that she and the children can stay with her until March, but no longer.  In any case, Diane knows that her children need the stability of a home of their own.  Her ex-husband is paying no child support.  She is unsure where he is right now.  He moved in with his parent in San Francisco soon after the fire, but is no longer living there according to them.

 

            After high school, Diane went to her local community college for one semester and worked part-time in a grocery store at a little over minimum wage.  When she got married, she dropped out of school and continued to work part time until her son John was born.  Just when she planned to return to work, she became pregnant with Alicia.  After Alicia was born, Diane did not seek work outside the home for slightly more than one year.  Since moving to Kansas City, Diane has been working in a day care center for slightly above minimum wage.  Unfortunately, the job is a temporary one which will end in February. 

 

            Diane is accustomed to living modestly but she is unsure how she will be able to make ends meet once she has a home to pay for.  She believes she may have to apply for various types of assistance, but has not yet done so.

 

            Find Diane a job in Kansas City.  Then find her an apartment, school and daycare for her children.  Then prepare a written monthly budget for Diane.  Type all of this up to discuss and turn in next class.

 

            Calculate Diane’s budget without food stamps, welfare, housing assistance, medical assistance, or other public financial assistance.  As sources of information, use the newspaper, the yellow pages, social service agencies, and your own (and your friends’) knowledge of this area.  Determine her approximate take home pay after taxes.  Investigate her monthly costs for rent and child care.  What type of housing will she be able to rent?  What will the deposit be?  How many bedrooms will she need?  (Be sure to consider landlord policies, housing codes, and your own good sense.)  Are there subsidized child care centers she can use (and, if so, how long a waiting period exists before her children can enter)?  How much will private child care cost (either at a day care center or in-home child care providers)?  How will this change next year, when John is old enough for kindergarten, assuming he qualifies for on-site child care after school?  Find out what her approximate costs for basic utilities will be.  Determine how much Diane must spend on food, transportation, clothing, and other necessities for herself and her children. 

 

            Here are some resources to get you started:

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to Professor Quigley of Loyola New Orleans for the problem template.