Coping With Welfare Equals Losing 13 IQ Points

[daredtowork]

32. The Irony

The irony is all the paperwork is loaded with tons of small print that it would take a doctorate in jurisprudence to understand! No one who is in a situation where they need welfare is in a condition to read or understand those forms. Furthermore, all the forms say "call your worker" if you have questions, but the number goes to a phone tree, which ultimately takes you to a voicemail - and your worker never calls you back. On top of that you're terrified to ask too many questions because some obscure rule might work AGAINST you. So you end up only asking a question when something gets cut off - usually by accident (and it usually takes a month or more, while your rent is in default, to clear up).

This doesn't even go into the 3-day turn around times for required monitoring documentation, the burden of documentation that's been shifted to the person on welfare despite the fact they receive no cash income for printing and stationary supplies, and all the contradictions in rules that they do encounter.

I count myself extremely lucky to be living in Berkeley where there are nonprofits that can help me while I'm drowning in all this ridiculous crap. I can't imagine what it's like for someone on welfare out in some rural area (where they are obviously trying to push me with the level of General Assistance rent offered). I don't drive, either, so it's a blessing just to be able to run (well, hobble!) for help.

Anyway, welfare policy as it stands PRODUCES people on welfare. And I'm shining a light on that.