Denied welfare

Well, it's official. I've been denied welfare because my psychiatrist wasn't seeing me every couple weeks. My hearing for disability isn't for another ten months. I won't be able to put gas in my car or buy my kids birthday presents (their birthdays are coming up in a month). No more shampoo or deodorant either.

No matter how many times I told my case worker that the psychiatrist just managed my meds, and my weekly therapist appointments are where the real work is done, she just didn't get it.

I don't know what I'm going to do now.

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Im confused here in america welfare isnt based on whether you see a treatment provider or not. its based on what your income is, whether you have children or not,....

here in america ....welfare ...is a cover all word meaning cash, food stamps and medical coverage.

some states for cash its only TANF meaning child support type cash to take care of the children, other states have their cash assistance for both adults in need based on their income and the children (TANF)

the food stamp program is nation wide based on income and number of people in the household.

medical assistance (medicaid) too in the USA goes according to how much income you have. in fact america just had to lower the income standards due to the new obama care law that says all adult american's now must have either private healthcare from their jobs or otherwise or on the state medical insurance (medicaid) program and all children in america now must have basic mental, physical and dental coverage either by way of their parents job insurance plans, private insurance or medicaid.

theres even a nationwide website here in america for people to get signed up for insurance called healthcare.gov the website will be opening up for open enrollment november 15th.

Im not totally sure but I think the only way a person is now able to be denied welfare services is if they dont meet the income requirements as in they make too much money. I have known some that got denied due to criminal activity but most I know its because they make too much money to be on it.

my suggestion if you are in the USA go to the social services department and reapply or ask for a supervisor that can do a review.

I'm sorry. I wish I had some good advice...

I have a thought about things like shampoo and stuff...have you tried a food bank? The local food bank here carries things like that. You also might try the Salvation Army.

I'm sorry things are so bad for you.

Sorry to hear that. Sounds scary.

If you want help, I was wondering if you could tell us what state you live in or at least what the requirements are to qualify for welfare in your state? I ask because sometimes there's creative ways to make yourself qualify if you are not way beyond their limits. For example, let's say you are barely over their income limit. Then you might fill a prescription (keeping the receipt) or get a doctor's note detailing another expense to make you qualify.

The only other thing I could think of would be to call 211 and try to find out about any other services you might qualify for to reduce the overall financial burden. Free phone service, discounts on prescriptions, medicaid/health insurance assistance, food (in addition to/other than foodstamps), assuming you meant SSI when you said, "welfare," rental assistance, heating assistance, discounts on your electric bill, assistance buying school supplies and clothing, etc. I would just call 211 and run down a list of things you could use help with (ex. a free phone, electricity discounts, health insurance options, clothing, etc.). Then tell them your situation and see if there's anything else that might help you.

Odds and ends to help minimize a financial hit:

Since you mentioned needing basic stuff like shampoo and deodorant, I'm going to list some links where you can get free samples. I know this isn't much, and may be a hassle, but I get these and it saves me money. Much better than going without!

Almond Milk* (free half-gallon to first 700 each day) http://silk.com/freetaste
Saline Solution* http://www.biotruechallenge.com/solution/tryit
Pantene Shampoo** http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/free-stuff/1330564/
Nivea Lotion* http://www.niveausa.com/experience/e...EA%20Evergreen
Eucerin Lotion* http://m.eucerinus.com/firstpledge/pledge/p/4/
Female Products https://www.poise.com/samples-and-of..._samples_PTP_5
Depends http://www.depend.com/products/get-samples and https://alwaysdiscreet.safeprocessing.com/get
Free Frozen Entree from Safeway Grocery Store** http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/free-stuff/1391028/
Houlihans** (make sure location is "participating") http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1382282/
Potential App Freebies (not sure if these are still going on - call first to make sure locations are "participating"): Auntie Anne's free pretzel, McDonalds free burger, Starbucks free coffee, 7-11 slurpee

Again, I'm sorry to hear about this misfortune and I hope there's a better solution out there than what I'm aware of. Best of luck to you!

*I personally signed up for the ones with a single asterisk.
**Freebies with a large GREEN flag on the "Fat Wallet" website have ALWAYS been reliable in my extensive experience. The only exception I've experienced is when they have run out. I've used Fat Wallet for over 5 years.
***Again, it's not much, but there may or may not be marketing firms in your area that pay people decent money to fill out surveys and often times don't report to the IRS unless you make over $600. And some banks offer anywhere from $50 to $200 for starting a new account with them and they all have different rules and limitations, see http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/finance/ and only consider posts with a GREEN flag. I think of this as another way to reduce the financial hit, until you can get this resolved.

Sometimes you can get free samples of toiletries online, no shipping cost

shampoos
Change the life of your hair with a free sample - L'Oreal Paris

Hair Care & Styling Products for Women & Men - Garnier Fructis

Free Shampoo Samples, Free Conditioner Samples | Woman Freebies

I go online and sometimes look at free sample websites or links. It is amazing what is given away as promotions.

I know, only a short term fix but everything helps.

Thank you so much, guys. The welfare I'm referring to is food stamps and TANF. I'm currently waiting for a hearing through Social Security (10 months away). Those are the only financial assistance programs I'm aware of (I'm in New Mexico). I talked to my case worker yesterday, and she explained that the "real" reason I was denied was that I didn't submit medical records. Which I did. Twice. Through her. She said she would look into it and call me right back, but of course she won't return my calls or emails. I'm getting ready to try her supervisor.

I have no idea how I'm going to get by. And feeding my kids? I'm at a loss.

It was heartbreaking explaining to my oldest son last night that I can't buy him a birthday present. He took it so well, but the shame was overpowering.

It's not right that I worked for 25 years, paying into the system, and now that I need it, it's not there.

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Can you go to the office instead of just calling. If you show up they would "have" to see you, look into things while you were there, etc. and you could take copies of what you sent and see your file and get anything straightened out right there.

I've already exhausted the state programs and have a lawyer for my disability case. Thank you, though!

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I would go see someone in person and start being a squeakier wheel

Ok, I can try. It's so hard to do that with agoraphobia, but all I can do is try.

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Oh, yes, that will be hard. You have a friend or anyone you would feel more comfortable taking with you?

Unfortunately, everyone works. I know someone off this week, so maybe we'll try to go down. The welfare department has an eight-hour wait for walk-ins. Yuck.

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Can you make an appointment with someone other than your case worker? Pretend like you are new, call and say you'd like to make an appointment to see "someone"?

I called to talk to my caseworker's supervisor but had to leave a message. When you call to make an appointment, they look up your case first. Which would be helpful, actually, if I could find someone who will call me back! Ugh.

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Call them every hour for a day Be apologetic but firm, "I called an hour/couple of hours ago but have not received a call back and it is very important to me. . ."

That's what I've been doing since 1:41 yesterday. Guess I'll keep it up. Thanks!

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having to release medical/mental health info to others to get services is illegal in the USA (unless it it a case of investigating child abuse. if social services thinks a child is being abused they can take the child into custody and request the parent or guardian to release medical/mental health records to find out if the children are being abused, taken care of and whether the parent/guardian has a medical or mental issue that may be causing that person to abuse the children.)

Im assuming thats not the case here (abuse of children)

short version the USA have nation wide privacy/ada laws that prevent people (employers, social services, treatment providers, friends, family, strangers...) from having access to a persons mental/medical files and prevents them from discriminating against the mentally/physically challenged. forcing someone to release medical records in order to get welfare is illegal just like forcing a person to release medical records for a job, or job services is illegal...

my suggestion is contact that caseworkers supervisor and let them know the caseworker is committing a crime against HIPPA/HIPAA privacy laws and ADA laws by refusing you services if you dont release your medical/mental health records. Per new mexico standards (I know some people from new mexico) that supervisor will review your case and if this caseworker is indeed with holding services for the reason they told you (because you wont release your medical/mental health records and this isnt a child abuse or immigration issue (meaning you are from another country and are trying to get USA status established) that caseworker will most likely be fired for violating the privacy and ADA laws.

If you are an immigrant from another country you will need to contact your treatment providers in other countries and release your files in order to establish services here in the USA. America doesnt give services without first establishing that immigrating person isnt also getting services, medical care /medical treatment from another country.

but if you are an american then this caseworker is committing a crime by withholding services for your medical/mental health records.

my suggestion report them to their supervisor because if they are committing privacy/ada laws with you, they most likely are doing the same thing with others.

You could call your state representative and complain about what lousy service you are getting? I have a friend who does that (regularly :-) and seems to get results.

I just got a brief email from my caseworker saying she's still looking into the issue. She said she'll let me know tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed.

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Can you send them another set of medical records (if they haven't found them)? You can include a note that says you were told that the records you previously sent "went missing so I wanted to make sure you had a copy."