Maybe something good out of the stimulus for us . . .

[DollyM]

My son is going to be able to get a summer job through the workforce development program that received extra money from the stimulus funds. My husband interviewed for a Case manager job for the same program that was supposed to have received money from the stimuls funds but for some reason, the funding is being held up. It wasn't a great job, but at this point, any job is better than nothing. The state hasn't been much of a help on the other fronts of helping us though. We applied for food stamps three weeks ago and have heard nothing. I have started going in every couple of days thinking they may not have got ahold of us by phone and the lady at the front desk treats me like I have the plague. It is so irratating. I want to hold up a sign that says "I am college educated professional who just fell on hard times and if it wasn't for people like me, you wouldn't have this job!"

[ejpoeta]

1. something you have to learn if you ever apply for any form of assistance....

even if it is just food stamps. you are a piece of dirt to these folks. i went in to sign up for HEAP a few years ago and the electric bill was in my boyfriends name. she told me he would never marry me and i should dump him, or something like that. i was mortified. i left in shock and called bob on the phone. i was crying i was so upset. the woman made me feel like a piece of crap. well bob made me give him the number and called and reamed them a new one. i never wanted to go back there again after that, but he told me to go and it would be alright. the lady had to apologize and i got the red carpet treatment.

were we married? no. but we had a child together and lived together. i never lied about anything on any application, and always filled out all information including my boyfriend at the time and his income and such. what gets me is i have friends who have lied and said their boyfriend didn't live there and i bet they get treated great. but be honest and you get treated like crap.

good luck and i hope you get your food stamps. it's not like anyone wants them or any assistance. if you are like me you drag yourself in there for the kids sake. they probably have a lot of people applying right now so are backed up. don't let them bully you or make you feel like anything less.... they HAVE jobs. and they get to keep them no matter how rude they are to you. and they know it.