Welfare...

In order to (partially) understand poverty, I have to receive welfare. This is part of my job (I make little money) and part of my commitment to poor people (I have to understand some of the trials homeless people must face).

Welfare isn't completely new to me. I've never made much money and, in fact, I was even on food stamps while in college in NY. Being on welfare in another state only highlights how crappy the situation is in Ohio.

Let's talk food stamps. In order to get food stamps in NY you need to stop in the Social Services office and fill out an application. After waiting a few weeks, you'll receive a letter asking you to come back into the office to see if you qualify for expedited food stamps. All you'll need is a driver's license. If you qualify for expedited food stamps, you'll receive your allowance for 1 month while you get your paperwork in order. This means that in NY, you WILL HAVE FOOD while getting everything together for your permanent food stamps card (they call it a Benefits Card).

Now, let's say you want food stamps in Ohio. First fill out an application online. Months later you'll receive a mysterious letter in the mail saying you must report to your assigned welfare office. If your case is handled by Westshore, you'll have to figure out their temporary location (on Payne) or else you'll end up the address they've listed online (on Lorain) which is closed for renovations. In Ohio, you automatically won't qualify for expedited food stamps because THERE AREN'T ANY. You will only get you Direction Card after you get your cartload of paperwork in (bills, etc.) and make sure you don't miss any forms or you'll have to drop them off. You'll get yr card + you'll be lucky if your balance is right. Next you'll have to return to yr case worker for a face-to-face "interview" every 3 months. If you miss yr appt (or if the office is closed for snow, as on 2/14/07) you'll have to wait until you get a hold of yr case worker to reschedule yr appt before you can get food. SO YOU WILL HAVE NO FOOD.

Argh I hate Westshore. I hate welfare in Ohio. Why is Ohio so far behind?