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 frustrated with assistance process
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| Author | Topic: frustrated with assistance process |
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laurel New Member |
posted 06-14-2006 09:43 PM
  
Im new to this site and decided to join after being unable to find anything online about people having problems with public assistance. namely dshs. i'm a single mom with a roommate who happens to be male. a couple of weeks ago i applied for and received food stamps and health benefits. i volunteered the info about my roommate since there was nothing to hide. he works and foots his part of the bills and has helped me while dealing with this painful process of coordinating childcare. so anyway i went to my appointment with all my paperwork, bills, school registration tax returns, and even domestic violence protection info. the lady that i was assigned to would have none of it. she aaccused me of really being boyfriend girlfriend with my roommate and worse than that yelled at my kids. my 5 year old dropped his yoyo and stooped down to pick it up and she screamed at him. in the meantime my 3 year old picked up one of the toys she had sitting there for kids and she snatched it away from her. my kids were terrified. my son promptly burst into tears when she said right in front of them that she was looking into the situation and if she found out my roommate was really my boyfriend i would be commiting food stamp fraud and she would have my kids taken away from me. i was appalled. seriously i felt like someone slapped me in my face. by that time i was crying like my kids. she laughed at me because i had registered for cosmetology school and told me that she sure that "sounds pretty" to me and all but she would not allow me to do something like that because id never make anything with it. she said unless i signed up for something she suggested i wouldnt get any help. the worst thing was my son crying all the way home and asking if that lady was following us and when she was going to get him. he wont even nap out of my sight. i called the supervisor who said that it doesnt matter whether my roommate is my boyfriend or not if he's not my kids father then he doesnt have a financial obligation to me. she said she'd call me back in 1 hour but i have yet to hear from her despite leaving messages. is this a nightmare or what? all i wanted was help with daycare. i know that there are many great caseworkers but it seems that some are outright crazy. i tried to put myself in her shoes telling myself that she probably deals with lots of people that try to take advantage and abuse the system but all of that in front of children seems a little extreme. what do i do??? i just want a career!!! has anyone dealt with this before? should i worry about my kids being taken away? |
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mommyof2 Member |
posted 06-15-2006 12:33 PM
Let me tell you something about these case workers, most of them are from low income themselves. They know they hold the power to give you what you need and unfortunately some of these individuals miss use that power. Yes they do have to deal with those out there who milk the system (and in most cases) they are the one’s who end up with what you rightfully deserve. What she did was inexcusable and in poor taste to treat you and your kids in such a belittling manor. As for the supervisor keep in mind most government and county jobs workers either got in because they have a family member, friend, or know someone who knows someone who works there so it’s a close network. I have been fortunate enough never to have had to use there services but I do know people who have needed there assistance who like you were honest and as a result got turned down and those who lied through there teeth who had there kids father living with them who were getting maximum services. Don’t give up! Continue to call and ask for the supervisor in charge explain you situation as many times as necessary to finally get the services you need to help get you back on your feet. Now is the time to work hard towards getting your life in order. It’s great that you want to work towards a degree, just don’t let your situation get you down where you find yourself not wanting to get out of bed. Things will only get better with hard work and determination. Good luck! |
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lkellyhappy1 Member |
posted 06-15-2006 04:17 PM
I did a brief stint through my school as an undergrad as an advocate for the homeless in an assistance office that was treating people just they way you described. I would sit out in the waiting area with a cellphone so I could call legal aid if I needed to and then I would ask people if they wanted me to go in with them. I know that in some places people are treated like that, but it is not all of them. Since I have become a single mom I have seen the worst side of people come out and I no longer look at people the same because I know what they are capable of. It is best to keep your gaurd up and be prepared becuase you have a long road ahead of you honey. And no I am not suprised. |
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