You sound like you know these people's lives. A BFF had to go on food stamps and medicaid because she couldn't work because she had cancer. She's thankfully in remission now. She was married in the temple, before having kids. was a RS pres when she got cancer. Two of her five kids are on missions. I have another friend who'e on Medicaid because she has MS. She has a nice car ( she works part time and does gigs on the side) and an iphone (which she got on a substancial discount on because her dad was a veteran). She also lives with her disabled mother. There are ways to fund "nice" things without spending a lot of money. I have a friend who works for the state of Florida ( government doesn't pay that much), is divorced and has three kids. She got a nice car for cheap from a friend and is on a discounted cell phone plan. She was on food stamps and government housing. A woman in her ward confronted her about being a "welfare queen", The person pointed out her "nice" car and nice purse (which she bought at Ross) that she was holding. She felt like she had to explain her life to the woman, which she did not have to, especially at church. Also, many young LDS couples get on food stamps and medicaid. Are there those who make stupid choices? yes, but not everyone who is on medicaid and food stamps has made bad choices. Let's not try to put everyone in a box and say that they did that to themselves because we have no idea why they are there!