Government Aid?

Hopefully this question isn't controversial, but the subject matter certainly is, which is why I'm posting in CC.

For those of you who are receiving or ever have received government assistance, would you mine sharing your story? Many of us have formulated an opinion of how people end up in that position or how long they stay there, but I am truly interested in hearing real life experiences. Hopefully we can all be a little more enlightened on the subject when all is said and done.