Welfare Letters
Sentences taken from actual applicants' letters received by local Welfare
Departments in Australia.
- I am forwarding my marriage certificate and 6 children. I have 7,
but one was baptized on half a sheet of paper.
- I am writing the Welfare Department to say that my baby was born 2
years old. When do I get my money?
- Mrs. Jones has not had any clothes for a year and has been visited
by the clergy regularly.
- I cannot get sick pay. I have 6 children. Can you tell me why?
- I am glad to report that my husband who was missing is dead.
- This is my 8th child. What are you going to do about it?
- Please find for certain if my husband is dead. The man I now live
with can't eat or do anything until he knows.
- I am very much annoyed to find that you have branded my son as
illiterate. 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 3 children, one of which
is a mistake as you can see.
- My husband got his project cut off 2 weeks ago and I haven't had any
relief since.
- Unless I get my husband's money pretty soon, I will be forced to
lead an immortal life.
- You have changed my little boy to a girl. Will this make any
difference?
- I have no children yet as my husband is a truck driver and works day
and night.
- In accordance with your instructions, I have given birth to twins in
the enclosed envelope.
- I want my money as quick as I can get it. I've been in bed with the
doctor for 2 weeks and he doesn't do me any good. If things don't
improve, I will have to send for another doctor.