Workfare

Tomorrow I have an appointment with a Workfare counselor for working.

Where there is excitement and possibility in this, I'm just a wee bit pissed. You're going to think that I'm some lazy fuck that doesn't like to work but honestly, that isn't me. There are just some problems with what I'm about to embark on.

Florida has stipulations for its welfare programs. You don't get anything for free. I am currently getting foodstamps and Medicaid for Emmaline and myself. And to remain eligible for food stamps, I have to do one of two things: 1)work or 2) participate in the workfare program.

This is how the workfare program operates. The dollar amount of your monthly foodstamps is divided by $5.15 which I'm assuming is minimum wage (I don't know anymore. I haven't made minimum wage in a loooong time). The resulting number is the amount of hours you have to put into the workfare program a month. When I meet with my counselor, I will choose a worksite to perform my hours. I will not get paid for said hours. My foodstamps serves as payment. I work or I don't get my foodstamps.

There is no problem with the program in theory. I think it's a good way for people to gains skills, learn responsibility, and network. HOWEVER, Emma gets out of school next Friday for summer vacation. I have no real support system here that allows me the comfort of asking people to watch her while I work. WHICH MEANS....I have to find daycare for Em. And to place her in daycare means I have to pay. BUT I have no income. At this moment, give or take fifty cents, I have approximately $10.50 (all but one dollar is in rolled pennies).

There are exemptions for the workfare program. Medical excuse, school age teenager, caretaker of an ill person, age 65 or older, or primary caretaker of a child under the age of 6 years old.

Medically I could get an excuse if I wanted to play the bipolar card. I really don't want to. Besides, I would have to pay my p-doc fifty or so dollars to complete the medical form. AND I'm not allowed to schedule any more appointments with him until I pay the amount I owe the practice (nearly $200). Did I mention I have about $10.50 in pennies?

The second way to get out of this is to have a job that brings in at least $155 (rounding here) weekly....the equivalent of working about 30 hours at minimum wage. Unless I find a job by tomorrow morning, that's not going to happen. I will eventually get a job (I pray) so I can withdraw from the program.

The thing about public assistance...I have no idea how people cheat the system. You work, though still desparately struggling, you make too much money to get assistance. You don't work and you have to go through an infinite number of hoops for help.

Florida doesn't joke about things here. I think the *ahem* (small tree like plants that starts with a B and rhymes with mushes) like fucking people from behind without the Vaseline. Ok, that's a bit harsh. (Incidentally, if I disappear and my body is found in the wetlands in S. Florida...I blame the government puppets mentioned in this post. Is having a negative opinion (remember, I say OPINION) about the man with his feeble finger on the button and all his kin constitute as treason?)

Anyway....joking aside (I'm joking, secret agent guys who read the net like the kind big brothers you are), I'm frustrated. Yes, I'm moving at a damn snail's pace in getting my fucking psyche fixed. IT'S FUCKING HARD!!! I've been bandaging my wounds thinking the superficial attention will solve the problems. I'm cracking. I'm falling apart and really need some support.

Blah! Whatever.

Ok. So, tomorrow I'm off to see a man about a non-paying job. I'm going to lay everything on the line and see what I can do about my situation. I can't leave Em alone. She's not ready. The thought scars (no, not scare) me.

DAMN FUCKING LIFE!!!