Oh give it up Ld... you know darn good and well that EIC is NOT welfare and you could go ask anyone at the IRS the same question and they'd say the same. However, since you asked, I probably qualified for EIC 2 or 3 years of the years Stink has been on this earth, and NEVER has it resulted in a huge refund for me, since I pay taxes every year. However, as a tax pro, you ought to know that you actually have to WORK to collect EIC anyway, unless you know of a bunch of folks who are filing tax returns on welfare money... No, I never received a dime in welfare, no medicaid, no food stamps. I WORKED 2 jobs, at one point 3 part time jobs and yes, during that time it's unfortunate to say, but I saw my kid very little, but it's a means to an end. It's the price you pay for deciding to have children.
Obviously, you have no problem with people sitting on their behinds while you support them because they'd rather do something else or take the easy way out. Good, open your door to the OP and let her live with you while she finished school. The rest of us believe in personal responsibility (apparently, including her husband). YOU make them, YOU pay for them.
Oh, and OP, in case you didn't know... if you apply and receive welfare, you WON'T be getting that child support money. Your soon to be ex husband will be paying it directly to Social Services and you'll be getting a very small disregard (usually about $50). Shoot yourself in the foot why don't you? See, there is some advantage to working.