Baby A and I are out at the Food Stamp office today. Two months after applying, our date for an interview has finally come up.
I’ll let you know how it goes.
(Although, technically, it’s not begging. We’ve paid into the system for years and years under the assumed contract that we would be able to avail ourselves if the program should we ever qualify.)
*** UPDATE ***
No food stamps. The interview was supposed to be a phone interview (I don’t know why they told me to bring my documents to the office, since I was supposed to be at home to answer the phone.) Luckily, I had my husband’s cell phone so she was able to get ahold of me.
After asking me questions that I had already answered on the application, and using four letter words on her recalcitrant computer, I was informed that I was to wait for a letter.
After I receive the letter, I will have 10 days to bring in the paperwork the letter requested.
Then, I may or may not receive food stamps within 30 days.
So, at least 40 more days. Especially frustrating since I was IN THE OFFICE with my papers. But they can’t look at them until the phone interview is finished and the case submitted, and the letter generated which may be on Wednesday but probably Monday. And if I am missing one jot or tittle from what the letter requires, my whole case will be dismissed and I’ll have to start all the way over at the beginning again. It behooves me to wait for my official word in writing that I’m allowed to show up with my utility bills.
Is this legal? No. That’s why I’m filling out paperwork to join a class action lawsuit over this food stamp debacle. The law says 30 days from submitting an application to receiving benefits, if one qualifies. We’re at 58 days with no end in sight. I applied in September and it’s entirely possible that there won’t be any decision before 2010.
Thank goodness I have other resources. Things are tight, but we aren’t in danger of starving or freezing or being turned out of our home. But what of others who don’t have the resources to wait months and months for food?
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
I wish there was some kind of suit I could join for when I tried to apply for food stamps. I was unemployed, so was my boyfriend, we weren’t paying rent, living off the graciousness (read, laxness) of our landlady, and we had no food. I applied and applied and went down there and asked them why I was ineligible. $0 income, and I don’t qualify?
I was told it was because a, we weren’t married and b, we had no kids. So, in order to receive government aid I have to get knocked up?! How is that intelligent, especially since I was in NO way in a stable financial situation?
In TX, able bodied adults are limited to 3 months of food stamps total. In CO, able bodied adults might not qualify at all. Kids come into the picture when they need food and/or the parent or guardian must care for them, limiting employment opportunities.
Ugh! What a mess. I can’t believe the hoops you must jump through for assistance.
My family is in a similar situation. My husband and both lost our jobs within one week of each other. My job loss was expected but his loss caught us by surprise. Now we’re both pounding the pavement for new jobs and trying to stretch our savings and the severance that he received. We’ve not applied for food stamps (yet). Between reading your story and knowing the red tape we had to go through just to get unemployment, I don’t even want to think about it.
Good luck! You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Didn’t you say there was a food pantry in Tomball that, wonder of wonders, DOESN’T ask for birth certificates and such before feeding starving children? That’s where I’m donating my money, when I have a little more money for donating.
Yes, my friend Hera knows someone who works there. I don’t have the name, but she does or I can find out.
Oops, that was Milehimama using Ginkgo’s computer, LOL! I messed up the comments on my own blog!
I feel your pain! The hoops you have to jump through are a nightmare. Thankfully I live in a state where I was processed pretty quickly, but I don’t think it was 30 days. But in the end it is temporarily worth it. It is not something that I want to be a part of forever. But for now it helps make ends meet. I’ll pray that things move in your favor quickly.
MHM,
I am praying for your family. We had to apply for fs last year when DH was laid off and, thank goodness, the process was seamless and we had help within ten days (Kentucky). I hope that the lawsuit will make the system more just for everyone in need. God’s blessings for a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Love, Denise
PS> Baby A is sooo cute!
@Denise – Thanks!
Wow! What a mess. I’ll be praying.
My sil was able to get food stamps for herself and her kids when she was living with us after leaving a seriously abusive marriage. However, when my husband and I were later in dire straits, I did not qualify, because I was not in the process of divorcing my husband and I was too white. We lived in CA.
Goodness me. If you are experiencing this mess, how on earth do the functionally chaotic and incompetent manage?
Do those people who have learning difficulties have to navigate this system too? What do they do? Starve? Hold up a bank?
Good on you for keeping your head through this.
I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for people without reliable transportation, a working phone, or who are illiterate.
( BTW, Where did your paypal button go?)
It’s still there, way over on the right under the chocolate eclair recipe.
I am so sorry that you’re going through all of this hassle, Milehi. I hope that the class-action lawsuit comes through for you. And like you said, I worry about people who don’t have other resources like you do.
Can I respectfully point out that your Paypal button looks pretty well camouflaged under those flowers. Maybe that’s the idea, but it’s hard to find. Why not have something that actually LOOKS like a tip jar?
Ha ha ha, do I LOOK like I know what I’m doing? LOL. Maybe I can convince my sister to make me a nifty graphic. Thanks again!
We live in Colorado-
My husband first lost his job in March. 3 months later when he still had not found a job and it became apparent that there are things you just will not find at church/community food pantries (like fresh fruits and veggies, dairy products and meat) we decided to apply for foodstamps.
We were told in June that we qualified for emergency benefits that would go through in 7 to 10 business days. We didn’t see a dime til late August. They did give us “back benefits” which was nice.
5 years ago when we got married we went thru trhis process and our case worker actually told us that because we were white, our chances were pretty slim so we should just give up. Now I know we qualify with my hubby laid off, but Im just too discouraged to even try.
Inexcusable – it makes me SO mad!
And they think they can run health care?!?!?
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