| Jul 25, 2007 @ 7:18 PM |
I needed a place to VENT! Thanks for listening!
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MamaBird2K
Posts: 63
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I am on Food Stamps...or at least I'm SUPPOSED to be! I have a daughter on SSI (which is supposed to make the food stamps automatic anyway.) For clarification, this involves the new system in place here in Texas, called TIERS, that is intended to streamline the process of signing up for necessary public services.
My story is this: On February 22, 2007, my daughter finally was returned to me by CPS (LONG story there, starting with the divorce). Due to the issues involved with getting her in school and all that, it took a few days to file a change report on my food stamp case. The change report was thus dated March 5, 2007. I understand there are constrictions of the policies in place resulting in my not being eligible for them until th beginning of April, but to date, July 25, 2007, I still have not received the supplemental food stamps they tell me I DO qualify for. I have been calling 211 several times a week for months now. The most recent "excuse" is that there was a problem that prevented completion of the case review/recertification which took place on June 26, 2007. I am being told a "ticket" was put in on it, but no one can tell me what that really means. All I know is that once again I sat, on hold, for an hour and a half for the escalation department. There was no resolution and I'm once again left wondering how to meet my obligations and feed my child as well. Since my wreck I can no longer work full time and anyway, my daugher is too old for child care assistance but can't be left alone due to her mental problems. So... the proverbial rock and the hard place. ::sigh::
While I am on a roll, as they say, I want to complain about the lack of functionality of this new 211 system. The hold times are atrocious (never less than 20-30 minutes, usually more), and much much more for holding for escalations...usually no less than an hour. In a commercial, customer-oriented business, no one is ever left on hold that long! They would go out of business. But HHS has a stranglehold on the needy and no one can do anything about this! I think that's shameful. If I didn't need help, I would not be here in the first place! The last thing I, and those in the same position, need is another blow to our already shattered sense of self-esteem and self-worth! This whole experience has me reeling. I feel hopeless and at the mercy of whoever and whatever comes my way. This is not right. Let me say that 211 itself is awesome, they never make one wait and are very nice, even to the point of letting me vent on the worst days. The problem arises after I transfer to HHS.
Thank you for the chance to vent a little. To be honest, I really don't expect much to come of it, but I would love to know if anyone else has had a chance to "use" this new system. If you don't want to post publicly that you're using public services, you're welcome to just email me privately.
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| Jul 25, 2007 @ 8:54 PM |
I needed a place to VENT! Thanks for listening! |
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jazzy75149
Posts: 2
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My daughter can't even seem to get on them. She filed a couple months ago, (faxed in the paperwork which they lost)...so she mailed them in. Next, she has phone interviews with two different offices??? they claimed the fax went to one and the mailed app went to another...(it didn't) and the offices are in different towns (I live in the DFW area). She's told on the phone she qualifies from the phone interview, but the caseworker hasn't recieved the paperwork that was faxed/mailed. Its in the front office and she'll "go look". My daughter has called daily for a week now and is always told the same thing. Its been over 30 days since she filed. The caseworker is simply too lazy to get off her fat butt and go up front and look for the papers. My daughter is livid. She will have to take off work to go down there and physically hand the fat witch MORE of the same papers. She's called and left numerous messages on the supervisors phone and the calls are never returned, and apparently not even listened to since the problem hasn't been resolved. Sorry you're having problems also.
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| Jul 25, 2007 @ 11:15 PM |
I needed a place to VENT! Thanks for listening!
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beeliever
Posts: 1
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I don't have any experience with this but I work for the education system. You said your daughter has mental problems so I assume she is getting help through special education ( if not - email me) ---have you tried a social worker through your school system? Most schools have them now and if they are not at the actual school - your special education department might have one. We have several social workers in our district who are EAGER to help parents like you tread through the red paperwork of these other systems to get the help you need. In the least - they can make some noise in your behalf.......Best of luck --I'll pray for you....
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| Jul 30, 2007 @ 5:28 AM |
I needed a place to VENT! Thanks for listening! |
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MamaBird2K
Posts: 63
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Well, as an update on my story... late on Friday I got through to the 211 line and then to HHS, and the cs there said the note had been added to my account (which by the way is LO-O-O-ONG), saying the problems had been solved and I should see my food stamps on the 1st. So let's see what happens.
Now by way of comic relief... In the Sat afternoon mail, I recieved a letter from HHS, state level office in Midland. I'd put in an official complain a couple weeks back. Well, this letter was in response to that complaint. I about fell off my chair!
It read:
"The Health and Human Services Commission has resolved the complaint you submitted recently. The complaint was resolved as follows:
"Your complaint has been sent to the appropriate department for review and appropriate actions.
"We appreciate your bringing this complaint to our attention as we continue our efforts to provide excellent customer service to the people of Texas."
Duh...what???? ROFLMAOSC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I must have needed a laugh right? Cause I sure never saw any "excellent customer service"! All I could thing of was those warning labels on things from China. SHEEEEEESH!!!!!!
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| Jul 30, 2007 @ 3:39 PM |
I needed a place to VENT! Thanks for listening!
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faithsangle
Posts: 5
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WOW!, my daughter has been on SSI for years now, and were told I made too much money for my daughter to get food stamps (lucky for me I have been able to manage). For me, I have been happy for the little help we have received.
So, I am thrilled that you even qualify for them. Yes, I have found that the system is slow to help those who have so much against them. Having a child with mental illness is hard, I know I have the same issues with my daughter.
I'm guessing that you see some kind on Mental Health Agency in your area also?, if so, than you might qualify for them to help coordinate the paperwork for you. Here in my area, they are able to help with many things I need for my daughter, making my job easier to be a mother. As well, as the school districts through special education.
Although, I am going to look into that automatic qualification for my daughter for food stamps, because she is now 17, and graduating this next year( since we were told know, so many years ago...well I have just never considered checking again "my mistake").
She will need much help to be able to maintain her mode of surviving and living ( I will always be there, but I am a single parent too, struggling as well).
She works part time, and we (school, mental health agency, and myself) are encouraging her to attend a technical college for a trade of some sort. Believe it or not, there was a time they said she would never get this far. We are not turning back after all this work of progress, just because someone thinks they have to because of her disability.
Have faith, it is all going to turn out fine, you already have gains so much strength through all of this.....Best of Luck! 
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| Jul 30, 2007 @ 7:19 PM |
I needed a place to VENT! Thanks for listening! |
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MamaBird2K
Posts: 63
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Yea, all you say is true. The system does not help us in the esteem {email address removed} I'm finding I'm feeling empowered just by going up against it. I have a good source of help from a lady in the local HHS office (not the Food Stamps office) and she's chuckling about that letter too. It's like "it said WHAT???
When I was reading the literature that came with my daughter's approval letter from SSI, I noticed there was a program though SSI that helps recipients save and put more toward future needs of living on their own, and doesn't count against their SSI grant. My daughter isn't ready to work yet but maybe next year so it's good to know. She doesn't really need special classes, as her brain is fine when she wants to use it. Her problem is more in the SED cetegory and I don't know if Spec Ed will help in that area. Last thing I need is for something to further damage her self esteem. That's taken enough of a beating the past few years. Thanks to her father and her aunt. 'Nuff said!
Because she's still technically in CPS custody, we get a lot of help with any services we need, for mental help and medical care. The only issue is she won't talk to many people, and forget a male therapist. That's hard sometimes. She can be really nasty to the men. LOL Poor things.
We really don't need anyone to coordinate paperwork for us, we just need agencies to follow through and hold up their end of the bargain. Over the past 5 months I've spent hundreds on food that should have been covered by the food stamps I didn't get. On top of the little we can get though food shelves. There're no consequenses for agencies who screw up like there are for recipients. We're supposed to accept the appologies with grace and go away. I would not be in my current bad spot if I'd not had to spend cash on food instead of living expenses. But that makes no difference. They won't correct their mistake, not in that area.
But anyway, here's hoping I get those food stamps on Wed. Better 5 months late than never, I guess. LOL
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| Jul 30, 2007 @ 8:14 PM |
I needed a place to VENT! Thanks for listening!
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faithsangle
Posts: 5
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Here is hoping the agencies do the responsible thing, and take care of you and your family. It is true children, and families with disabilities face many more struggles than most well ever know. Self esteems effect the entire family, but them the most, along with siblings. It is hard enough to make it in todays world, but than to throw gas on a fire that is already burning, totally stinks. Trust me when I say, go for everything she is entitled too, that will only help her to succeed later.
For us special education was not for the fact my daughters brain did not function properly, it was so she could be place into a smaller setting allowing less stimulation for outer stress that would put into her in a state she had difficulty controlling that would lead to hospital for a few weeks to recover.
Unfoutunly though, here the school system is still learning that have a mental health disability is no different than someone having other conditions. The only difference is how we treat them. Children are so stigmatized over all the things they go through. Family for me has not always been supportive too, simply because nobody wants to believe this could happen to their child.
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| Aug 1, 2007 @ 10:47 PM |
I needed a place to VENT! Thanks for listening! |
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hergie88
Posts: 2
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You need to go and see a county judge and ask for an intervention. It is a fact that many State and Federal employees don't really give a shit and are just there drawing a paycheck. A judge has the authority to intervene and solve your problem. Terry.
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| Aug 2, 2007 @ 8:34 PM |
I needed a place to VENT! Thanks for listening!
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fuchia04
Posts: 953
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MamaBird, I'm glad to hear things worked out for you on the food stamps. 
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| Aug 2, 2007 @ 11:16 PM |
I needed a place to VENT! Thanks for listening! |
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MamaBird2K
Posts: 63
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Thanks Terry. I agree, but they did finally give me the food stamps. Making a lot of noise eventually helps as well. Thanks to you also Fuchia.
I've been hearing that the State of TX is about to do a hiring push. Msybe i can get a job and work to make a difference...since I know what the clients go through!
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