The following are excerpts from actual letters received by the welfare
department of an unnamed state.
"I am forwarding my marriage certificate and six children. I had seven but one
died which was baptized on half a sheet of paper."
"I am writing the Welfare Department to say that my baby was born two years old.
When do I get my money?"
"Mrs. Jackson has not had any clothes for a year and has been visited regularly by
the clergy."
"I cannot get sick pay, I have six children. Can you tell me why?"
"I am glad to report that my husband who is missing is dead."
"This is my eighth child. What are you going to do about it?"
"Please find for certain if my husband is dead. The man I am now living with can't
eat or do anything until he knows."
"I am very much annoyed to find you have branded my son illegitimate. This is a
dirty lie, as I was married a week before he was born."
"In answer to your letter, I have given birth to a boy weighing 10 pounds. I hope
this is satisfactory."
"I am forwarding my marriage certificate and my three children, one of which is a
mistake, as you can see."
"My husband got his project cut off two weeks ago and I haven't had any relief
since."