Why Are Passports Not Free? (pay, country, cost, money)

[Floorist]

Originally Posted by InformedConsent

Given that you can neither enroll in public assistance programs nor buy or rent a home without a state-issued ID, how are people supposedly without the ability to obtain an ID even functioning at a basic living level?

You don't need an ID to rent.

[Floorist]

Originally Posted by foodyum

You need a social security card or Medicaid card for many of the programs. Proof of homelessness- a letter from an agency will often do it. Neither have a picture. Neither are state issued.
Childen need none of those to be eligible for the free lunch or Medicaid program. A doctors note, verifying residence is often acceptable. Being homeless or in foster care is automatic eligibility for most programs.

To use a Medicaid card, you must have a picture ID. They want to verify you are the eligible one on the card.

[InformedConsent]

Originally Posted by foodyum

I can think of dozens of services where no id at all is required. Like nothing- covid shots, covid tests, emergency room visits

Nope. I had to show an ID for all of those.

[foodyum]

Originally Posted by Floorist

You don't need an ID to rent.

You don’t need an id to open a direct deposit bank account or most utilities or phone services.

[InformedConsent]

Originally Posted by Floorist

You don't need an ID to rent.

In almost all cases beyond an hourly or daily rental rate, yes you do.

[foodyum]

Originally Posted by InformedConsent

Nope. I had to show an ID for all of those.

None of my clients do.
If you have the id great. If not, they will not deny service.
You are not everyone.

[InformedConsent]

Originally Posted by foodyum

You don’t need an id to open a direct deposit bank account or most utilities or phone services.

Yes, you do.

[InformedConsent]

Originally Posted by foodyum

None of my clients do.
If you have the id great. If not, they will not deny service.
You are not everyone.

So why was I told an ID was required?

[foodyum]

Originally Posted by InformedConsent

So why was I told an ID was required?

Because they much prefer you show one. But if you don’t have it they will not deny services. It is against the law to deny some of these medical services.
Also, they will not get Medicaid reimbursement when you don’t have a card. And they want that reimbursement.
Getting money from charity care is not easy.

[warhorse78]

Originally Posted by CrowGirl

Interesting. I was obviously not aware of the passport requirement to leave. I've never had my passport checked on the U.S. side heading into Canada so they must not be enforcing it. Coming back in post-Patriot Act, yes. I grew up in a state that borders Canada so I definitely remember the days when a driver's license was enough.

I still can't muster outrage over charging for a passport though.

I have to show everytime I visit family that are living near Niagara Falls. Before, I just needed a driver's license.

I'm not outraged, I just wanted to see people's opinions on it. And I still think with the taxes Americans fork over every year, that the least the federal government can do is give free passports to those who want them. I personally have no problem getting one, but like I said, I feel like it's a form of extortion.