Case Scenarios

Abstract

• The husband/father commutes to Mandan for a ‘good’ paying blue collar job (relative to others – e.g., maintenance at the refinery). The wife/mother stays behind in the county. She does some child care for the children (since the children are in school) and works 10 hours a week doing pet grooming. The wife/mother has a mild form of a degenerative disease (e.g., ALS) which prohibits too much work and any more children. The children ride rural bus to school. The man needs a newer pick-up for transportation which is critical. • The couple lives in the country because the housing costs were much lower and it allows them to live off their land (e.g., garden for food, wood for heat). • At $12/hour, his annual salary = $24,960 while her annual salary = $5200, for combined income of $30,160. [23,550] • The family’s annual budget = $36,660 without benefits. Housing $600 Food $750 Child Care $0 Transportation $830 Health Care $350 Other Necessities $350