The Anxious Life of an Unemployment Statistic

Ringing in the new year as a statistic on the jobless charts was not easy for me. Landing in 2003 with no medical insurance, no income and no prospects was very stressful.

I began focusing on creative ways to save money at every possible juncture. When a close friend who at one time had been in a similar position suggested I apply for food stamps, I became even more disheartened by images of long lines of people at the supermarket waiting impatiently behind me with raised eyebrows and tapping toes as I fumbled with a booklet of coupons. After I decided to leave misconceptions and arrogant pride aside, I called the Los Angeles County food stamp office.

I got the application in January and immediately sent in the required documentation. By late March, I still had not received any response, so I called to inquire about my claim. I learned that I had a case manager who was researching my claim and that it was not uncommon for applicants to wait as long as 90 days or more before a final decision was made.

I was told that I could contact the case manager during his “telephone hours” of 8 to 10 a.m. weekdays. I called many times over the next several days during these hours but got no answer or even voicemail.

The following week, I managed to get through to a real person. After asking me some questions, the person responded rudely and evasively, as if my call was a nuisance. Soon I received by mail from my case manager a “Pre-Interview Notification of Verification Requirements,” along with a scheduled time for me to go to his Rancho Park office.

I was unable to keep the appointment because of a recent injury involving fractures to two ribs and my lower spine. When I called during the case manager’s telephone hours to inform him of this, a woman answered and halfheartedly took my information. Meanwhile, because I was consistently unable to reach the case manager by telephone, I gathered the documentation he had requested and faxed it to him. I also sent copies to his supervisor. Again, no response.

Then on April 5, I received a “Notice of Action” by mail, stating that because I had “failed to appear for two scheduled interviews on 3/26/2003 and 3/28/2003 to provide ... verifications,” my application had been denied. Of course, I had not even been aware of the second appointment. I am currently involved in an appeals process, waiting for a hearing by the state.

It is nothing less than a travesty to find today’s governmental services for people with little or no income so baffling and confusing. Furthermore, the attitude of and treatment by government employees are downright shameful.

There are many good people out there who may have found themselves in similar positions regarding basic necessities, such as food. I wonder what my case manager would do if he were to find himself without a job.

Randy Gravelle is an unemployed facilities manager in Los Angeles.