dolly
New Member
Posts: 2 
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Post by dolly on May 11, 2014 4:47:18 GMT -5
I've been on Snap before two years ago, same state but a different city. I qualified for emergency same day processing both times, but this most recent time (Chicago, IL) they told me, ” Everyone is an emergency case. I don't care. Submit your form and wait like everyone else.” It took two months to get scheduled to see a caseworker, but she is doing very badly and I don't know of there's anything I can do about it. I was denied the first time as I was only sent a letter saying my eligibility could not be determined for missing my appointment- but I never received a letter or any notification of the appointment. I had to start from scratch, fill out the forms again and again two months later I get a notice saying I missed my appointment- no notice prior informing me of the appointment. I was able to reschedule this time and met with my case worker who took another month to process my paperwork. After meeting with her a few days later I get another letter saying I was denied again for not keeping my appointment (which I had gone to.) I called her, left a message on her machine and left an email to try to find out what was going on but she never respond to any of these. I wonder if she forgot to file my paperwork right away. A student worker friend of mine also had similar problems with the same woman, we are both suffering from her negligence and can do nothing about it. Since filling in December originally I would have been okay with assistance but without it couldn't afford food, rent, and bills and am now homeless.
Yesterday the card came in the mail, I had been approved after all for a little over $100 a month. I activated the card, expecting there to be a balance like last time, excited I could buy real food again but the balance is zero.
I applied 3 months ago, I thought they calculated it from the time of application. My friends who applied said this was the case for them. There is something wrong, I don't know what to do about it to fix it. I called the number that came with the card but they can only look at my information and not change anything. I tried the main DHS number for disputes but that extension is disconnected. I have a real problem and my caseworker seems to be causing most of it-she certainly won't help it. Help me please?
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Post by Admin on May 19, 2014 17:29:39 GMT -5
I've been on Snap before two years ago, same state but a different city. I qualified for emergency same day processing both times, but this most recent time (Chicago, IL) they told me, ” Everyone is an emergency case. I don't care. Submit your form and wait like everyone else.” It took two months to get scheduled to see a caseworker, but she is doing very badly and I don't know of there's anything I can do about it. I was denied the first time as I was only sent a letter saying my eligibility could not be determined for missing my appointment- but I never received a letter or any notification of the appointment. I had to start from scratch, fill out the forms again and again two months later I get a notice saying I missed my appointment- no notice prior informing me of the appointment. I was able to reschedule this time and met with my case worker who took another month to process my paperwork. After meeting with her a few days later I get another letter saying I was denied again for not keeping my appointment (which I had gone to.) I called her, left a message on her machine and left an email to try to find out what was going on but she never respond to any of these. I wonder if she forgot to file my paperwork right away. A student worker friend of mine also had similar problems with the same woman, we are both suffering from her negligence and can do nothing about it. Since filling in December originally I would have been okay with assistance but without it couldn't afford food, rent, and bills and am now homeless. Yesterday the card came in the mail, I had been approved after all for a little over $100 a month. I activated the card, expecting there to be a balance like last time, excited I could buy real food again but the balance is zero. I applied 3 months ago, I thought they calculated it from the time of application. My friends who applied said this was the case for them. There is something wrong, I don't know what to do about it to fix it. I called the number that came with the card but they can only look at my information and not change anything. I tried the main DHS number for disputes but that extension is disconnected. I have a real problem and my caseworker seems to be causing most of it-she certainly won't help it. Help me please? Firstly, sorry to hear about your extended troubles with your local DSS office. It seems you have a few problems going on at once: 1. Your caseworker that has been assigned to you; 2. The zero balance. 3. Lack of communication on the part of SNAP. What I would recommend to you is that you try your state SNAP Hotline number. I am not sure which state you live in, but if you go to this USDA website: www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/hotlines.htm you can locate the hotline number that is relevant to you. If you have already tried this, my second recommendation is to go to yet another USDA webpage: www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/default.htmAnd use the posted methods to contact SNAP directly. The other issue surrounding your caseworker needs to be addressed. Granted I am sure that person is extremely backlogged, but you may need to go in-person to the SNAP office of your local branch and discuss with them your situation and how you'd like to be assigned a different case worker. As far as your card having a zero balance, this is something that your local DSS office will probably have to handle. Keep in mind that your state has different hotline numbers then that of your local DSS office. So also make use of calling your state hotline number and you may see better results vs. the disconnected number. Some states have an "Ombudsman"; basically a representative that helps people connect to the people they need to fix the problem. If you go to the 2nd link I posted in this message, you can see which states have an Ombudsman that can direct your call to the proper channels. Hopefully your zero balance has been corrected, IF NOT, you need to call these hotline numbers immediately, and also contact your local food bank. If you go to the food bank section of this forum, you can find a link to a website that helps locate food banks in your area. You can use the food banks until the SNAP-EBT card is working and your account is on-point. However there is no need to be hungry as the food banks will assist you in providing free meals and take home food you can prepare yourself. Make use of what is available and you will not go hungry. *Please keep us updated on what happened since you posted this message. Thanks! |
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