I got to really help a destitute family yesterday.

[arbusto_baboso]

I'm in social services in SoCal. As a cash aid (welfare) worker.

I have a fairly new client and he, his wife, and two kids have been living in a shelter for a few weeks. The wife has leukemia.

My first contact with the client after receiving the case was when he came in requesting homeless assistance last week. He'd already had it years ago, and it is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, but there are exceptions.

Well, he had medical documentation of his wife's illness, which is one of the exceptions. Cool, I cut him a check that day.

When he came in yesterday for the 2nd of his 3 checks, he mentioned his wife was receiving SSI rather than SSDI. What that means is that his household budget was being incorrectly calculated (a mistake the initial eligibility worker made), and he was entitled to about $250 more per month than he had been getting since February, including retro payments.

Not only that, but I was able to get this guy (who admitted that he is bi-polar and unmedicated) connected to some mental health services. And it looks like this family may be getting subsidized housing fairly soon, too.

My job is extremely stressful in current times, but when I'm able to do what I did yesterday, it makes everything worthwhile.

[Tikki]

1. This family has a chance now to remain a loving...

nurturing family unit. The lesson learned by those children in their time of great need is that
...other human beings...care.

THANK YOU... for all you do.

Tikki

[arbusto_baboso]

8. I look forward to a day when jobs like mine are unnecessary.

Unfortunately, the economic policies of the past 30 years have made my line of work a growth-industry.

[shireen]

2. you are one of those unsung heroes in our society ....

I'm glad you posted this -- otherwise we'd never know about these things and would go about our lives totally oblivious about the lives of others living in poverty.

I'm lower middle-class, and i think most people i interact with have no idea of the details about the existence of this "other America". I would be oblivious too, if it were not for DU, meeting you and others who do so much to help people in poverty. It's clear that we need a much better stable safety net and i hope this new administration will be the start of a more collectively humane and compassionate America.

THANK YOU!!!

:hug:

[arbusto_baboso]

9. I had no clue before I had this job, either.

I think if more righties had seen what I've seen, their opinions might be different. Some of them, anyway.

[truedelphi]

26. The righties I know absolutely scream their foolheads off about

The lower classes signing up for government aid.

But then the second anyone they know gets ill, they are driving them in to get their "bennies"

Very hypocritical group of people.

[ljm2002]

3. That must feel really good!

Good for you, so glad you could help them!

[arbusto_baboso]

4. You have no idea.

The guy started to cry before he left the office, and it was all I could do not to join him in the waterworks.

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. Good on you for looking for all the details of the family..

to help them.
Hope your office supports you in that.

[arbusto_baboso]

6. Actually it was a team effort. I work with good people who are committed to public service.

That's why I hate when our Governator calls us "special interests". The mo-fo has no idea what we actually do.

[CrispyQ]

7. This is what I pay taxes for --

not to wage war on people half way across the world, who did nothing to us.

Thanks for your great work! :hug:

[arbusto_baboso]

10. I feel the same way, and I'm a veteran.

If you really want to thank me, advocate on behalf of the job that welfare/food stamps/medicaid workers do. It's one of the toughest jobs around, and we aren't paid much better than school teachers. Of course, like teachers, we aren't in it for the pay, but because we believe in what we're doing.

[The empressof all]

11. Thank you for all you do

Being in the front lines and in the trenches is a tough job. It's hard to stay committed and not become hard and jaded....These extra efforts mean so much to the people we serve. Good Going!

[arbusto_baboso]

12. Are you in the same line of work?

If so, I'd like to buy you a virtual round of drinks.:toast:

[The empressof all]

15. I'm a retired therapist/administrator

I was involved in non profit management for years. The best part of my career though (in retrospect) was when I did direct service. The people were much nicer!

[arbusto_baboso]

16. I'll second that. It's tough promote to admin and remain compassionate.

Good on ya' that you've been able to do so.

[prolesunited]

13. And yet you have Republicans who contend

that their tax dollars are wasted on such programs.

Thank you for all the good work you do.

[Fireweed247]

14. Thank you for your service!

It is wonderful to know that people in need (under your care) are getting the respect and dignity they deserve.

[monmouth]

17. Knowing the joy this family must be enjoying, even in the small things

must feel like Christmas (in a good year). Thanks for all you do and posting this.

[Hepburn]

18. Blessed be....

...this story brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for being a caring, wonderful person. So many are stuck in the system and no one gives a damn.

:hi:

[Catherine Vincent]

19. I would feel very good about that too.

It feels nice when you can help people that need it badly. :hi:

[roguevalley]

20. miracles happen. you did good. you were an angel to suffering

confused people and I love ya for it. HUGS!

[Lyric]

21. Thank you so much.

I wish West Virginia had more social workers like you. The last time I went in for a re-cert for my Food Stamps and Medicaid, I was subjected to a lecture about how the eeeevil liberals in Congress just give poor people welfare in order to get their votes. I was too afraid to speak up, as this woman was in charge of my case.

I am now three weeks without Food Stamps and Medicaid, because I let them expire rather than go in and face another re-cert with that right-wing nut. I probably should have complained at the time, but I was too upset and frightened over our situation to do anything more than stare at the floor, answer questions, and sign the paperwork.

I'm considering going back to school when I'm done with my BA/MFA study in Poetry and getting a degree in Social Work. Working to help the poor as my "day job" while seeking publication would definitely feel good, and god knows we need more compassionate social workers around here. I swear, 75% of the workers we have here are right-wingers who decided to become social workers in order to make poor welfare recipients as miserable as possible.

:(

[Creena]

22. As a fellow resident of SoCal and...

...one who occasionally relies on social workers for informational resources, people like you keep me sane. I'm a caregiver for my disabled mother who is in her early 50s and resources can be difficult to find, so I'm very grateful to you and all the other social workers who put time, energy, and heart into helping others.

[JuniperLea]

23. +1!! And welcome to DU! eom

[glinda]

24. Wow. Really a good thing you could help.

[Liberal_in_LA]

25. nice to read a positive story.

[truedelphi]

27. Thank you for hanging in there with such a difficult job

And for helping out those people. I hope happier times bless that family soon.