I've been trying to apply for food stamps (CalFresh) ever since June, when my previous application expired. The combination of working full time, going to school, and dealing with severe mental health issues makes it hard enough for me to submit paperwork and make/keep appointments, but the food stamps office's lack of communication/organization makes it impossible. This is roughly what happens every time I finish the online application:
- I get a text saying my application was submitted and they will contact me shortly for a phone interview.
- 2-3 days later, I get a text message saying that I either missed my phone interview (scheduled for a date/time that I was never informed of) or need to submit more paperwork before I can schedule a phone interview.
- I submit the paperwork if asked, and call to re-schedule my interview.
- Wait on hold for 2-4 hours, may or may not get disconnected multiple times. Am transferred to an average of 3 people per call, and have to re-explain myself and give all my information again each time.
I can never seem to get past this point. The phone lines either close because I have been on them all day and they are only open from 8am-3pm, I give up because I've started crying and screaming, or, the one time I got an interview the same day I called, the interviewer told me I'm missing more paperwork and the process starts all over again.
After 30 days, the application you submitted expires without a phone interview, so I always have to start from the beginning because I “time out” of my right to re-schedule.
The worst part is that I really only have the time/space to dedicate my entire day to calling the food stamps office about once every few months, because I work full time.
Today, after being on hold for hours, I got an employee to schedule me a phone appointment for tomorrow. But they told me that I could call them any time between the hours of 8am and 3pm for the “appointment”. I asked if I would be on hold during that time and they said the average wait time is 1-2 hours (yeah, right– from experience it's more like 4). When I told them that I have a full time job Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm, they told me I would have to take the day off or request a longer break to make the appointment. When I said that wasn't possible, they told me there was nothing else that they could do and that I could try again “some other time” when my schedule wasn't so busy. I got pretty pissed off and asked to speak to a supervisor. I was transferred immediately to a voicemail machine.
TLDR: I can't afford food despite working full time. I can't apply for food stamps BECAUSE I work full time. Fuck my life and fuck capitalism
PS — This is the same reason I can't go to the local food bank for free groceries, either. They're only open every second and fourth Wednesday from 11am-1pm. What the fuck am I supposed to do with that?