Can I request a new worker from social assistance?

Can I request a new worker from social assistance?

As some of you folks remember the guy they assigned me is extremely cranky and almost to the point of being rude with me. He intterupts me when I try to (calmly, I might add) explain what has been going on with my situation to tell me that since they don't have the medical form filled out by my psychdoc yet(though I told them they would be getting it)they don't, and I quote "owe you anything more than what you are getting. And because you choose to stay living where you are and your bills are too expensive, you realize, we don't have to pay for that, it's not our responsibility"

When I advised him that I had been trying to get into a new place with a roomate, he sourly told me that perhaps I should "go to a shelter."

Now if thats not the stupidest thing I have ever heard I don't know what is. It costs more per day for them to put us up in a shelter than it does for them to just HELP me a LITTLE more. And, all I asked for was a payment to help keep my power on...

This guy continuously gives me lectures on why and how social assistance doesn't have to help me. He makes me feel really bad for even calling, and I get the sense that he is TRYING to work against me. When I told him that one of my psych meds wasnt covered - he told me "Well if we don't cover it, we don't cover it and that is just the way it is - the only thing you can do is have your doctor apply to msi for a special exception - in no way do we ever cover meds not covered by the drug plan"

Yet when I advised him I had to go without my Epi Pen all summer because he was on vacation and I couldn't get anyoen to requisition t for me, he replied "we don't cover epi pens? I'm surprised.. well we will cover that for you with no question, we would requisition it for you"

Am I just being sensitive? I thought so at first but every interaction I have had with this man has left me in frustrated, feeling like a drain on the system bad person and like Im doing something very bad for coming to them, rather than doing what I am able as a Canadian Citizen to assist myself.

I DONT WANT TO BE ON ASSISTANCE - and I explained this to him, but because of the way things are right now I need to be. But I cannot handle this man making me feel this way.

He is intimidating, and I get the distinct sense that he looks down his nose at me because I am young. (he is older)

Guys, I just don't know what to do. My appointment with pdoc is not until October 4th - I am wondering if I should call for an emergency appointment to get all the paperwork filled out NOW instead - I didnt think they would be so disbeileving of me when I told them. Do you know that when I first told him of the docs plan to do disability he actually said "well there is alot of clients we have who think they shouldn't work and their doctors do not agree"

Note - i told him it was my DOCTORS plan.

Now I am crying, a mess. And will be worried and feel like s- you know what all dang day.

What can I do?

You can try by submitting in writing to - his supervisor, the main complaint office and your district supervisor that covers your areas Department of Human Services - an official complaint and request an investigation into how he is handling your case. Sometimes you win sometimes you lose.

I won against a Department of Human Services Child Protective services caseworker. The result was that she was fired for breach of the federal HIPPA Privacy law along with, founded harrassment complaints I had previously placed in writing to her supervisor about, breach of State and county mental health rights and ethics. Basically that caseworker is now unable to work in social work for this state. She ended up moving to another state and opening a private business that does not include working in a DHS agency as a social worker.

Good luck.

I am going to add to this, simply because I feel so crappy now I just need to write and vent. Sorry to anyone I might have made upset with my ranting.

Im just reflecting on him saying for me to go into a shelter.

Let me tell you something about the homeless shelters here - they are stinky, gross and not well kept at all. Most have rats in the walls because they are all in super old buildings (I know one specific one did because I saw a huge one in the kitchen one day) There are far too few places for women to begin with - I help a lady on the street near here sometimes and she even told me adsum house (the main one with no waiting line) is full already and it is not even cold out.

The thought of having to go back there gives me shivers. The last time I was in a shelter, I watched people overdose on crack, I watched fights outside, and heard gunshots go off right beside our house every night. I was terrified. Plus you have to share rooms with other shelter people.

Im not saying that it is not a wonderful option to have - but with my anxiety, I just couldnt do it. Im lucky I make it day to day on my own let alone in a shelter. Plus I would have to give up my cats.. they are all that has kept me alive some days honestly.

I am at my wits end. I keep trying to explain this all to him to which he just interrupts and says "but we dont have a medical form stating long term disability so you are expected to work to rule" Well they do have a form for disability from my last doctor which states my several diagnoses. They KNOW about my problems.

I am not a bad person for need help, am i?

thank you myself. I think I will. But first I am setting up an emergency appointment with Pdoc as I know she is on my side and will help.

I had the same problem when I fisrt applied for disability assistance from my state. My disability is because of my anxiety disorders, so having a nasty case worker was making my anxiety jump through the roof.

My case worker was so nasty and mean, and I could tell he was just burnt-out and hated his job, and I was having major panic attacks anytime I had to have any contact with him (phone or in person).

I was getting so anxious, frustrated, and the things he was saying were so demeaning that I was ready to just drop my application.

So I called the social services office, and said to the receptionist "I would like to speak to Mr. X's boss please". When his boss got on the phone I refused to give my name at first, I just wanted to giver her an explination of the problem and ask her what can be done, and ask if I could switch case-workers. I didn't want to give my name until she answered my questions because if it was impossible to get a new case-worker I didn't want Mr X to know that I had complained about him.

His boss assured me that she would assign me to a new case worker immediately - and it turned out that once I gave her my name she actually took my case folder herself and she became my case-worker for the remainder of the process - and she was great, very kind and friendly and helpful.

So, I was able to get a new case-worker, and she not only helped me get state disability assistance, she then helped me fill out my paperwork for social security disability and because of her help I was approved for ss disability within a few months.

I know that every state in the US does things differently, and you mention canada and I have no idea how things work there -- but I imagine that you could at least try to do something similar to what I did - ask for the persons supervisor/boss and explain the situation without giving your name, then ask what can be done - and if nothing can be done then your complaint won't hurt you because you didn't give your name, but if something can be done you cn then give your name.

I hope that helps.

I know how hard it is to deal with a case-worker like that ((((((((hugs)))))))))

take care,
Liz

No. Needing help does not make you a bad person. Unfortunately, it would seem to me that this man is not in the right profession for his condescending "bedside manner". A little bit of sensitivity can go a long way and it doesn't seem as though he has much.

I don't have any experience with social assistance, but I cannot see why you can't request a different worker.

He has no right to treat you this way!

Wishing you luck!

Make the appointment with p doc, then call and speak to your workers supervisor explain everything leave nothing out ask to be switched and do this today, you deserve better
Love
Angie

I agree with DizzyLizzy that you should first ask what can be done without giving your name. If they wont do anything for you then you don't want him to know you complained.

You are not a bad person at all. ((((( Bowzz)))))

Well guys, i napped all day and woke up with a fever and a cold. Had horrible nightmares about friends deserting me,people laughing at me and chasing me..etc.

I take stress like this so hard. I am going to take the rest of the day and relax too.

Pdoc called, I am on cancellation list. This is good.