13 June 2014, Friday (the 13th!)
Adventures in Bureaucratic Bungling (Cuyahoga County Style)
Broke yet again. I ate the last package of toaster pastries yesterday morning for breakfast here at the Get-Go 24 hour wi/fi cafe. Thank goodness for promotional advertising and understanding humans, I was handed a coupon for a free sandwich by one of the female employees, who works in the kitchen. About 0130 this morning, I enjoyed a 3 1/2" spicy chicken sub with lots of fresh veggies while starting season 1 of "Mission Impossible" for the third time since August of 2012.
I managed my meds this morning, including forcing down the horse pill (25mg potassium), with a Sweet Iced Tea refill that was accomplished after letting a desperate man borrow my cell phone to call his boss, since he left his phone at home. He gave me a buck in return, which got me another 44 oz refill. (I am trying not to overdo the caffeine in the tea, so I switch it up with tap water from the sink in the men's room. Curse this establishment for not providing free filtered water at the fountain dispenser! LOL!)
Well, yesterday after another fruitless attempt to reach anyone remotely human at County Services, I was encouraged by a bright young lady here at Get-Go, to go in person and take care of business.
She agreed to watch my computer and other belongings while I made the 3 block walk to the Southgate Branch of the Ohio Jobs and Family Services, Virgil E. Brown Service Center.
Thankfully, while strolling past the strip stores at the Southgate Annex on Northfield Road, I ran into Dorothy, the manager at the check cashing facility whom I have known for 3 years, and who was so understanding about my outstanding loan that was due, when I was in Stroke Rehab at Hanna House back in June of 2012! It is folks like her (and the Bedford Branch PNC bank Manager, and Firefighter's Community Credit Union Collections Officer that keep the humanity and understanding in a world of businesses that are overwhelmingly run by inhuman computers!
The reason I had waited to do this, was because the county agency that controls the state and federal funding for Welfare, Section 8, Food Stamps (called SNAP here in Ohio), Medicaid/Medicare, WIC, and other social assistance programs, enforces the Draconian Cleveland Weapons Laws, which prohibit knife blades longer than 1 7/8" and confiscates all dangerous items, and does not return them. Well, being homeless and reliant upon my survival skills, I usually carry 3 knives. my Tactical Buck Strider model 889 folder 3 1/2", a Buck model 301 Stockman with 3 blades from 1 7/8" to 2 7/8", and a Swiss Cadet knife with 2 blades 1 1/2" & 2 1/2", plus bottle and can opener tools.
Well, in my haste to fix the Food Stamp situation, i left without removing the 2 knives I still had in my pocket!
Thank Heaven for Dorothy! I asked her if she would mind holding my two "dangerous weapons" until I could complete my task at hand, and she assented cheerfully!
Well, the day was nice, warm and partly cloudy, with a hint of rain in the air. Not wishing to dawdle and get soaked while afoot, I hustled off to the service center, and negotiated the metal detectors and County Security gauntlet. Yes they would have serious issues with any of my blades, but they saw no problem with my heavy Irish Walking Stick! (A Blackthorn Root, shaped into a Shillelagh, the traditional and Ancient Irishman's fighting club! Mine is the genuine article from County Cork, Eire)
I asked the security officer on duty how I could reach my case worker, and he pointed to the courtesy phone on the wall. I bit my tongue and thanked him. As instructed, I dialed the last 4 digits of her telephone number, and surprise, surprise! Got her voice mail message with the 10 minute outgoing message that lists all of the numbers and services, and instructs the party to leave a message with their name, SSN, case number, phone number, and other pertinent data, and a message. I stifled a cruel laugh, left yet another message, and returned to the security desk. I was then directed to the main lobby where there was a ticket dispenser, just like at the busy Deli Counters and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles! I took the next number, #78. I glanced at the wall, a digital readout said "66".
The various waiting areas had a good 50 persons waiting, not counting the kids, so I found a seat away from the zone labeled "Do not stand or sit in this area", and waited. It was 1325, and the security officer reassured me that the staff was out to lunch, and would all be returning shortly.
The numbers did tick off quickly, as most of the patrons apparently had appointments, and didn't need numbers. About 1350, #78 was called, and I was directed to Miss Richardson's cubicle. no amenities, just enter my SSN in the electronic number pad on the counter. Confirm my name, and birthdate.
I attempted to explain why I was there, but she told me that I missed my appointment, and was denied benefits.
I said I just found out 2 weeks ago I even had a case worker, and that I called multiple times and left messages, but no one ever answered or returned my calls. She stated that no one ever answered phones at the facility (at least hey were honest about that!), nor returned calls.
She said the appointment was mailed to me.
I explained that I am "homeless", and have no mailing address.
She said that they mailed my appointment, and it was returned to sender, so they closed my file.
Avoiding getting angry, I stated again that I had no mailing address, and wished to EAT on a regular basis!
She handed me another application, chastised me for not making the scheduled appointment, and said I had to reapply all over again!
I took the booklet she handed me back to the waiting area, checked the box that said I want to communicate everything in ENGLISH, again checked the box that stated "HOMELESS", and "NO MAILING ADDRESS", I also checked "NO" on the voter Registration, as I am currently registered to vote in Bedford. (They have interpreters on hand in 30+ languages, but seem to be promoting voter registration rights of illegals!)
I returned the completed application to her, and she mumbled again about only doing business by mail, and that all appointments were confirmed by mail. She told me to take a seat and wait.;
About 1415, she motioned for me to return to her cubicle, but before sitting, told me to wait by the door to the back office area. She opened it and came out to the lobby, and said that I had to follow her. She led me to the regional supervisor's office, and knocked. No introduction, she just handed my application to the supervisor and walked away.
The supervisor introduced herself, and had me come into her office and sit. But before I even found a seat, she told me I could not be served, because I had no mailing address!
Again, I tried to explain what I thought to be the obvious, in that "HOMELESS" means no address!
She said that they only do business by mail, and without a mailing address, I could not be helped! And she also admitted that no one answers any calls there, or returns them!
I asked how I was to get an address if I have no home? She stated that was no concern of hers.
I asked if mail could be addressed to me care of "General Delivery" @ the Bedford Post Office?
Response: "Only if it was a complete address (it is not, and "General Delivery" is a joke in of itself!)."
What made all of this most annoying, was the attitude of both the ladies, in that I was entirely to blame for not complying with the rules and having a mailing address in the first place!
She said nothing could be done for me until I got an address.
Well I texted my friend Matt to see if he had any ideas, and left a message for Charlotte, asking same, since she had so much experience with this bureaucratic nightmare!
Matt texted back I should use my sister's address, but he didn't realize she lives in Virginia. Same scenario with Sheryl, too far away, no way to retrieve mail. He also suggested my mother, but she has just been transferred to a high security building at her Alzheimer's facility in Richmond Heights, so that was a dead end too.
So here is the catch-22, I am eligible for emergency funds (cash and other items), a Direction Card and monthly benefits, but I cannot get an appointment with my case worker without a mailing address!
AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Well, today is another day.
Really, just another day, and if I can't find a solution to this dilemma, I will be stuck forever in limbo!
