i tend to get all the abbreviations confused as well, but i am aware of a few regulations regarding governement assistance. my previous support order, before modification, was $68 monthly from bio dad. i applied for benefits shortly after applying for child support since bio dad was "beating around the bush", and good thing i did, as it took 5 months to get a dime from him...it took 45 days for my application(s) to process before i actually recieved the benefits. food stamps was not an option for me, as i lived with my parents, and their income was calculated there...i did qualify for medicaid, which has helped tremendously, and will remain a huge help until i graduate and can provide for my son appriopriately. i qualified for the work first program, which was a check for $254 a month, i believe that's the limit here in NC for this benefit. i recieved the check monthly until my support from bio dad started coming in. then, i had one option--don't quote me on this because i'm not sure whether or not this is standard procedure or not--but my caseworker told me that being that i could not recieve the work first check as well as child support, that i had the option of continuing my work first benefit until the end of my 24 months, and have the child support checks re-directed to the state. of course, i chose work first, being that it was more acceptable than my support order at the time. just a little insight...dss has always bumfuzzeld me....but, it certainly helps where needed, and as long as the benefits aren't abused. good luck in finding out what you need to know....