I (17m) have currently been living alone for the past month while my mom (40f) took a trip to our homeland where she’s staying with my aunt. I just ran out of food in the fridge. Eggs, bread, milk, cheese, fruits, other things. I tell my mom who took the ebt card with her so I couldn’t use it because she is for some reason very protective of it, that we ran out of food. She tells me to buy it with my own cash. Now I can buy a haul of groceries but my bank account would take a hit. I have a job but work little hours and make 500-700 a month. My mom also lied and said the ebt card has no money but she doesn’t know I have access to seeing the balance which is 500 dollars right now. My argument is that it would be unwise to spend the little money I have on groceries my mom is supposed to be legally responsible for until I am 18, but she is in another country and has been for weeks not doing her job as a mother. Opposed to just letting me use the ebt card. I just don’t see why I can’t use money dedicated to groceries and that can ONLY be used on groceries especially in an emergency where I have no guardian at home and no food. Her argument is I make money so why am I not buying groceries. My argument is I don’t make much money and we have food stamps. It’s just thinking smarter not harder. Am I the asshole?
Nta this is child neglect
NTA – how can mom afford a trip to your “home” country…but can’t afford to buy groceries for the child (yes, under 18 is a child) she left behind? How can she afford to travel and yet still qualify for ebt? (this is a mystery). I’m sorry darling, but your mom is irresponsible and breaking the law. Buy yourself food – know that what you are doing is surviving a bad parent. See if you can go to a local food bank to get free food so you can buy less.
Yeah, it seems like the kid just needs to eat and survive while their mom is away.
She can’t afford a trip that’s the thing she can’t afford the lifestyle she lives but housing us in a 1 bedroom apartment helps her live that life
Your mother is a scammer and she’s going to throw you under the bus to save her own worthless hide, if and when the government finally catches up to her. They’re starting to crack down heavily on this kind of thing, so be forewarned. NTA
Report your mom as soon as you move out. She’s committing fraud. Also report her to the irs for tax evasion (edited for wrong word), which I’m sure she’s doing as well
This is child neglect. I would call DCF which would put her ebt benefits at risk
NTA
Let her know that if she can’t provide money for food for you, you’re sure CPS can. See how fast she will write you money to buy food.
NTA – this is child neglect – leaving you alone for a month while she’s out of the country – plus allowing you to run out of food and refusing to give you the EBT card info so you can do a pickup order for groceries.
NTA. You are a child, it is her job to provide for you. I know you may not want to but, contact CPS. She is not allowed to leave you for this amount of time and have no food. Plus I am sure that EBT would be interested in how she can fund a months long vacation but still get food stamps.
You have an ridiculous amount of leverage in this situation, use it. Your mother will try to convince you that you dont have leverage, but you do.
Don’t be afraid to threaten CPS, its not extreme threat, its perfectly matched to the situation you are in.
NTA… Your 17.. Can you imagine the world of shit she will be in if cops find out she left a 17 year old alone for a month while she went on vacation and took the ebt card that the state gives for BOTH to eat..
I want justice but I want to move out more. I know with justice will come with a harder path for me to live independently. Worst case scenario I could end up in foster care and turn eventually 18 and then go homeless
If I were you, I would call the police right now and report your mom for neglect and abandonment. How old are your siblings?!? It is not your job to care for them for a month! Or even a week! You are a child too! Do you have any other family nearby? Where is your father?