Our Government is Working for You
One advantage of not working is you qualify for all kinds of government goodies.
A few weeks ago, I had to apply to renew my Link benefits, more commonly known as food stamps.
The process is pretty simple. You call a toll-free number. It's all automated. They ask some questions. You answer by either pushing a button or saying the answer. In less than five minutes, you're done.
Last week I received a letter from the food stamp people. They needed a little more information. They wanted to know if I had any out of pocket medical expenses for the year. No problem....at least that's what thought.
I started last Wednesday by calling the Department of Human Services. I found the extension for the case worker handling my account. Got his voice mail. It was full. The DHS has a voice automated system for handling claims but they hire people who don't know how to clean out their voice mail? Let me help....7, 7, 7, 7, etc.
Thursday was Thanksgiving so the next attempt came on Friday. Office was closed for Black Friday. Are you kidding me?
Saturday and Sunday are real off-day. Monday, I was sick. Really. Went to bed around noon, but I digress.
That leads us to Tuesday. Yesterday was the deadline day so off to the local office I go.
It opens at 8:30 and that's when I get there. I wait in line for about an hour. I finally get to the front and explain why I'm there. She says have a seat and a case worker will call you name SHORTLY. Sure he will, but ok.
I wait. I read. I nap. I read some more. I hear my name. I walk to the case worker. He says to follow him.
We get to his cube. He says, "Let's take a look at your paperwork. Hmmm. You didn't have any out of pocket medical expenses?"
I replied " All my meds and doctor's visits are covered through insurance."
Now almost all government agency visits have a WTF moment. Here it comes.
The case worker says, " If you had $36 a month in expenses you could get more money. But you're already at the highest level so it doesn't make a difference. Thanks for coming in."
Hmmmm....Mr. Caseworker, if I had some out of pocket expenses could I get back the $11 a month, the House of Representatives took away ?
So that's how it goes when you deal with the government bureaucracy. About three hours of my time that I'll never get back.
The new benefits start in January. I'm going to celebrate by buying a candy bar and a coke on the good old USA!! Ain't America great !!