I thought I should give an update to my plight as one of the unemployed and how tragic and dysfunctional our Social Services System is today.
I've truly had a busy week learning even more. Had I not become a first-hand witness and "victim", you couldn't have told me this was the evil truth and have me believe you.
Blessings for all the prayers and support that everyone, has given me, here at Daily Kos. My heart is healing because of all you. In spite of "it all!" I'm regaining my composure and critical abilities. The darkness is being pushed away.
Thank you!
I've added three updates to this diary. I wasn't sure where to put them, so I've explained, corrected and added where it was appropriate.
As most recall, I was scheduled for another appointment this past Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 to enter what is termed, "The Jobs Club".
I've been approved for emergency food stamps totaling $200. And I'm only guessing here, but I think that's the rate per month. Cash assistance will not be available until after August 15th at a pro-rated rate and only if I comply with all the requirements of the aforementioned "Club", for 45 days. Not until that "class" is completed, will any money actually be granted.
From 8:45am until 1:30pm, Monday through Friday, we are required to go downtown (for me that's over 12 miles) and "participate" in an intense job search or their coined term "Jobs Club." As a member of this "Club", we must go to at least 3 business locations a day, for 2 weeks and fill out employment applications. We must get the Manager's name, their address, phone number and what positions we are applying for. During the 3rd week we are "released" at Noon and must get 4 a day.
The "catch" here is, we can only go to companies that still take "in person" applications, mailed, faxed or emailed resumes are not allowed. You are granted 1 online application per day, only if you are given a receipt that can be printed out. If you are late or don't get the required applications, you are given a "warning", three of them and you are removed from the program, scratch that, kicked out of the club. Your Social Services application may be denied for Food Stamps and/or Medicaid also.
They will call every place you have applied at, for verification. How or what is actually discussed with these prospective employers is unknown. They did claim they don't reveal that we have applied for Social Services, "We tell them you are part of a job's program." They've also claimed that they don't discuss personal information, but on the other hand said, "Some of the employers we called said the applications were a mess, weren't readable or filled out properly or completely." So, your guess is as good as mine.
After the 45 days are completed, I may get $194.50, whereby I will be "assigned" a work location, either in cleaning up parks and public places or I'll be sent to some volunteer agency. I'm guessing The Salvation Army or such, they could not answer that question, because they did not know. I will be sent to yet another office and be "assigned". I must then "work" at least 35 hours per week, every week, wherever I'm sent. 30 days after that, I may be granted $389 a month. This "cash assistance" is only good for total of 24 months, throughout your entire life.
They did provide a bus pass, that's good for all zones, for the entire month of July. Our Public Transportation is divided up into 4 Zones. I live in Zone 2 on the boarders of Zone 3, which is about half way out from downtown Buffalo. In my personal case, buses only go out to my area every 1 ½ hours. After the "club/class" is concluded, we will be given a bus pass that is only good for 1 zone, meaning I will pay full priced fairs, even with a bus pass. I was already told that there are no "locations" in my area, "You'd have to "come into Buffalo."
There are two "instructors" and when the class started on Tuesday, July 6th. There were 28 people, by yesterday, Friday, July 9th, there were only 9 people left, the others didn't come back and were "dismissed from the class", with the proviso that they cannot re-apply for 90 days. How they are going to survive is a mystery.
I asked on the first day what were their placement percentages were and they didn't know. One instructor saying, "You know, I must figure that out someday." After I asked that question, a woman spoke up and said, "This isn't about helping us get jobs at all! Is it?" She too was there because of Republican tricks. After our first break, she never came back; at weeks end, I was the last one standing.
One gentleman has a BA in Drafting and had been working as a substitute teacher, he's already homeless, living in a shelter. Most had been working at companies for years that downsized or closed. One woman stopped working until her children went to school. There was one, recently released convict, out on parole.
________________________________________________________________________________
Update #1:
Below, is the original text of this diary. It seems that some some here believe I've made this up and it's distracting from the conversation and real issues. These things truly did occur. I've blockquoted it so that all can still see the truth.
While I'm grateful for the skepticism; as I stated, I wouldn't believe these things either, had I not experienced it. What I don't understand the animosity and the actual personal attacks.
I get nothing for sharing these ugly truths with all of you. Correction, I have gotten something out of this. A catharsis and spiritual renewal has occurred. I've met truly gracious and honorable Kossacks, whom shared with me my own humanity and theirs. A precious gift that I will forever hold in my own heart and share with others. Always aware to "pay it forward", love grows.
I just want the truth to be known. Nothing more, nothing less. Maybe the truth is to risque for some, their virgin palates recoiling from the bitter tastes of honesty? The atmosphere of these experiences can't be stressed enough. The ugly, vulgar and violent settings in Social Services System needs to be revealed.
Please don't blame me for a system I did not create nor control.
One 20-something girl was there, and said to us during a break, "I don't need to be here, I live with my sister, I just need Medicaid." As she stroked and fondled a banana she was eating, while approaching and speaking to the parolee.
I thought, "oh great, this girl thinks it's a sex club! Or some bizarre 'meeting place'." I had to laugh, not believing it.
________________________________________________________________________________
Some had attitudes, some were very friendly and honest, others understood "the system" and "the class" for what it was. For me that purpose became more clear, as the week wore on.
I originally believed the class was geared to teaching people how to get jobs or how to interview, basically how to be your best. Some of the materials covered are helpful, for those that have never worked or like myself, haven't had the need to learn how to "market oneself" or for those that haven't done so in years. A great "refresher course". I've only had one personal interview, in my entire life, that did not result in a job offer or employment. For me, the interview was the job.
They do go over some materials, taking hours to review and discuss subjects that would take any person, 10-15 minutes. Because of the holiday on Monday, this week's information had to be condensed. At one point the instructor said,"Boy I'm glad I didn't have to make that stretch the whole day." The material being discussed were on writing cover letters and how to fax them, if required, a total of 5 pages (one sided) of handed out materials. They did provide, "a fill in the blank" cover letter template, that anyone could fill out and use. They even offered to fax resumes to places if needed or requested.
It was at this moment that I realized the true nature of what it was I was being required to do.
The class is/was, what one can only imagine "study hall" was like or after school detention. They are our babysitters. It's not about teaching us or helping us get jobs, it's to keep us in a room for 4 hour and 45 minutes everyday.
They do provide a phone, where you can make calls to prospective employers; they provide phone-books and the Buffalo News, daily. All resources, most already have or have access to. They will create resumes for those that do not have them. The truth is, all the "services and training" provided could be accomplished in less than 4 days. The rest of the time is spent sitting at a table, "being quiet and utilizing resource time'." We've already watched two "movies."
When all is said and done, I will have spent over 8 hours a day (4 hrs 45min in "class", 3 hours 20 min getting to and from the "jobs center") plus any time I spend actually looking for work. I've been out everyday this week, until 8:30pm or 9pm, looking for companies that still take "in person applications". It's been averaging 20 places a day just to get the minimum requirement of 3 filled out applications. Never mind that every place told me that they already had stacks of applications and were not currently hiring, one must do this.
Grand total of time spent in 45 days will be at least 585 hours, for the possible grant of $194.50 in cash. That works out to .332 cents per hour. I'll get a "raise" after the 45 days, where by, Ill surely to homeless:
________________________________________________________________________________
Updated #2:
I'm still not working on all thrusters, after reviewing my own math here, I reversed it in my head. I'll be making $2.58 per hour not the .386 p/hr as I originally figured. It should be $389 total cash assistance divided by hours worked of 150.5.
________________________________________________________________________________
I could withdraw my request for cash assistance and I would not be required to do this "intense job search." I would only get food stamps and maybe medicaid. That too, will be determined after the 45 days. All the "regulations" above are for any cash assistance. We were told, "You don't have to get cash assistance, if you don't want. You can request that your application be changed to only Food Stamps and Medicaid."
I always had the mistaken belief that our "social services" actually helped people in need, maybe too much at times even, but not punished them for requesting it. That had never really crossed my mind. I understand now, why those young girls keep having children. If you have children, you get more help, the lifetime limits are raised to 60 months, or 5 years but I'm not sure about any of the rest, such as, food stamps, cash assistance rates for families or medicaid.
I did send out my letter to the Commissioner of Social Services (in my last Diary), certified, return receipt requested. And I had another copy of it ready to personally hand to Ms. "G's" direct Supervisor, Mr. "C". I had the new "landlord's statement" filled out to drop off also. So, on Thursday, July 8th, after "class", I walked over to 158 Pearl Street and proceeded to the 3rd Floor.
What happened next was a bizarre "movie." A slow motion train wreck, where you see every window breaking, every person being thrown through the air and subsequently being killed by some crushing/crumpled seat or pole as the train rolls over.
I got off the elevator and went right through the roped off line, there was no one else in line. Thinking to myself, "great, this will be quick and easy." I was waiting less than a minute and standing at the counter was a young, 30ish white woman, I was barely 5 feet away. A white "counter clerk" said something to the young woman laughing as she said it. I saw the "jovial smile", not realizing it was a smile of contempt.
I didn't hear what exactly what it was she said, but unlike my composure last week, this young "client" started yelling at the "counter clerk", "ARE YOU LAUGHING AT ME? HOW DARE YOU LAUGH AT ME, WHO THE F**** ARE YOU TO LAUGH AT ME?! THIS ISN'T SOME F******* JOKE! I'VE BEEN HERE 4 GODDAMN DAYS IN A ROW! NOW I HAVE TO WAIT EVEN LONGER?!"
The "counter clerk" responded, "I DON'T CARE WHAT YOUR PROBLEMS ARE!" This only infuriated the young "client" even more, "I HAVE TO CALL MY WAITING MOTHER...." The "counter clerk" cut here off repeating, "I DON'T CARE!"
The young girl was truly upset, "IT'S F****** 98 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND YOU DON'T CARE?! MY MOTHER WAS WORRIED ABOUT ME IN THIS HEAT AND YOU DON'T CARE?!"
At this point, I was not believing what I was witnessing. The "counter clerk" sat back in her chair and indignantly said to one of her co-workers, "CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?" And she starting laughing again, telling the young "client", "I TOLD YOU TO WAIT OVER THERE! IF YOU DON'T, I'M CALLING THE SHERIFFS UP HERE!" The young "client" was beyond rage at that moment saying, "GOOD! GO RIGHT AHEAD! CALL THE DAMN SHERIFF'S UP HERE, TAKE ME AWAY, I DARE YOU!" The "counter clerk" said to me, "Next!" I couldn't move. I was frozen in my heels.
That young "client" was too upset and there was no way I was getting hit or physically assaulted. Besides, she was still standing at the counter window, I'd have to physically move her to get to the clerk. I said and did nothing, just standing there. An older black woman behind me yelled at me, "SHE SAID NEXT, GET GOING!" I turned around startled, I didn't know anyone was standing behind me. I looked at the black woman and said nothing, as I turned back at the unfolding "scene", the young "client" was then threatening the "counter clerk, "I'LL MET YOU OUTSIDE AFTER WORK, YOU GET DONE AT 4, RIGHT?" The "counter clerk" then repeated, "NEXT!".
I still refused to get anywhere near that situation, five feet was more than close enough, at that moment!
Again, the black woman behind me yelled at me, "GET UP THERE, SHE SAID NEXT!" I turned and said, "Look Ma'am, I'm sorry, until this calms down, I'm not going anywhere!" Then the young "client" repeated her threat to the "counter clerk, "I'LL MET YOU AT 4, YOU WAIT! I'M GOING TO BEAT YOUR ASS FOR LAUGHING AT ME!" The "counter clerk" replied, "I DO GET DONE A 4! I'LL BE THERE!" The young "client" said, "OKAY, I'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU!" The "counter clerk" said, "OH YEAH, RIGHT!"
The young "client" finally moved from in front of the counter and then the "counter clerk" said one last time to me, "NEXT." I slowly approached the counter, the young "client" was to my left, still saying, as she backed away, "I'LL SEE YOU AT 4 B****!"
I'm thinking, "Oh my god, it's my turn now! Oh, great!", as I walked up to the counter. It took the same "counter clerk" asking me a second time, "What do you want?" And when I tried to explain, she cut me off, "WRITE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER DOWN AND I'LL LOOK YOU UP!"
I finally explained why I was there and she told me the paperwork went downstairs to some window. I was so shaken I couldn't remember what window number she just said. I tried to ask her it but she told me to go sit down, "He'll be right out." But before I left the window, I finally got the courage to say, "Could you tell me where this goes again and what window was it?" She told me, I went and sat down.
Eight or ten minutes later a white woman, mid 50's came out and called my name. I walked over to her and she said, "What do you want?" I said, "You're Mr. "C"?" She replied, "Well, he's busy right now so I guess I am!" I asked, "Who are you?" She exclaimed, "I'M MRS. MILLER, YOUR SOCIAL WORKER!" I asked confused, "WHO?" She then said, "I'M THE PERSON YOU WILL BE SEEING!"
I said, "Okay, I had hoped to speak to Mr. "C"....." She cut me off, "Well hurry up, I'm busy today, I was in a compliance hearing all morning and the client had to be removed in handcuffs! And NOW, I have to play Supervisor!" I repeated, "I was hoping to speak to Mr. "C" personally." "WHY?" she asked. I said, "He's Ms. "G's" supervisor, right?" "WELL, YES!", she stated snottily.
I told her, "There's an issue he needed to be made aware of." She cut me off and told me "the story!""Last week, I was overbooked. You were mistakenly appointed to a Mr. Geist, who also was "overbooked" and Ms. "G" was kind enough to help us out. She wasn't even supposed to be here then."
I said, "Well, I wanted to give Mr. "C" a copy of a letter that I sent to the Commissioner. I didn't want him to be broadsided with this information, so I thought I should drop it off personally. Had I known that wouldn't be the case, I would have put it into an envelope." Mrs. Miller then said, "I'll personally make sure he gets it."
I said, "Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to see me." She replied questioningly, "Well, you don't want to talk to him?" I said, "My name, address and phone number are on the letter. If he would like to set up a personal appointment to discuss it, he can contact me." She then asked, "Who did you send this letter to?"
I told her, spelling the name of my Erie County Legislator and the look and impression on her face was one of relief. It was as if I could read her mind, "He's no one, you'll get no where with this, good." It was more than just relief, but satisfaction.
I proceeded to take her hand with both of mine and said, "We're not enemies here. We are on the same side." She said, "Thank you" and as I started to leave I said, "If I ever win the lotto, I'll take you to the Bahama's!" She retorted, "I was just there!" I said, "Great, you'll know where to go for fun then!"
I left and went out "job hunting" until well past 9pm. "What a crazy day!" I thought, as I lay restlessly in bed at 1:30am. Trying to rack my brains, "How am I going to get out of this?" Thinking further, "If I collected just 55 cans from garbage's, a day, I would be making more money than our "social services" offers." But quickly realizing, if I were to do that, I'd have to claim the income generated and I would lose "the benefits." I may still get food stamps, but I really don't know. I guess the only thing standing in my way of finding out is pride. I'll have to think this through a little bit more.
I barely fell asleep.
Friday came and went, and nothing really happened, yippee! At "class", we were moved into another room, combining two classes they had going. I asked how many classes did they have at once and I was told there were 4 of them. Those classes were now combined into just 2. In that new, smaller room, there were only 15 of us.
As I went through the motions, in the back of my mind, I was still trying to figure a way out of this ugly mess I was in. But I did get a good nights sleep, it finally cooled down enough after the day's rain.
I did receive two letters and a request for information from the Social Services Office today, (Saturday, July 10th). One requesting information that I've already provided. Name, proof of address, driver's license and finger imaging. Oh, there's a new item requested; "school records", with an explanatory message, "statement from other persons."
I've been out of school for over 23 years, I did receive a Regents Diploma in June 1983 and only completed 3½ years of College. I still have my High School Diploma and my grades from every semester I attended while at College.
Will this be good enough? When I left school so many years ago, I owed the College a lot of money and was actually forced to leave because of it, never finishing my degree. Another product/victim of "Reagan's Trickle Down Theory."
They've never released my transcripts. I'm a bit confused on this new requirement. I've already had my fingerprints and photo taken, they already have my driver's license and landlord's statement. Am I to provide all this information again? Go to my landlord for a fourth time in less than 2 weeks, asking for him to "fill out paperwork" a third time?
The second letter was dated 7/9/2010, very simple and straightforward:
"It is necessary to review the application you made for Public Assistance and/or related services. Your cooperation in reviewing the information provided to us is required. You must contact us within three (3) business days upon receipt of this letter. Please call XXX-XXXX to schedule an appointment. Failure to respond to this notice may result in incorrect evaluation of your continuing eligibility for Public Assistance, Food Stamps, Medical Assistance and Day Care."
And it's signed, Special Investigator, Mr. "W".
Now why would a "Special Investigator" be assigned to my case? I guess, my "poison-pen letter" is making the rounds. Who knows, maybe it's "just procedures?"
________________________________________________________________________________
Update #3:
I called Mr. "W" early this morning and he said that he was required to "come out and look around", inspect my apartment. I'm guessing, but probably to make sure I actually lived where I claimed or that there really is a house at the address I provided. This is logical and more than reasonable. It was normal procedure for anyone requesting cash assistance he said.
He was really friendly honest and very much human. I was refreshed after speaking to him. If only everyone could be like him.
________________________________________________________________________________
I'll keep you posted. I'm still looking for work, as you can see, but that Employment Coordinator for Buffalo, whom I mentioned in my last diary, hasn't contacted me since. Maybe he's just really busy now.
Blessings to everyone for all the prayers and help. I couldn't have survived this without it.
~GERRI