Well I got everything straightened out, and just let me say when one gets by the beaurocracy and the automated answering service ( the person who invented that should be forced to perform analingus on Hitler for all eternity) and gets to an actual human being, they are 9 times out of 10 helpful and concerned people.
There was more than one issue to deal with.
1. the address problem. They had Stephen cub's address abbreviated LA for Lane instead of LN. Straightened that out. But because the check actually comes to me on his behalf and they neglected to change the zip code on my address (otherwise identical to Stephens) that apparently was a source of much confusion.
Got that straightened out, so MAYBE his checks and medicaid card will come to the right place. We'll see in two weeks.
2. they reduced his payment. because he worked for me part time in 2002 when my events company was still in swing and because I gave him a W2 even though it was less than 600.00 and I wasn't required to, they have averaged that out to a 15 CENT a month income, which lowers his payment. I got that straightened out and informed them that it was a dissolved corporation that hadn't existed in quite some time.
Because our monthly home payment rose 175.00 a month when we moved, EVEN THOUGH STEPHEN PAYS RENT..... they have pro rated his percentage of the total amount monthly and decided to deduct a certain amount of money from his check because his shelter value is now higher. The fact that he is in the same size room with no greater amenities or benefits in the new house means nothing except that he will now have 50.00 a month less in his pocket. And before I hear any flack about that... just because a person is disabled doesn't mean they shouldn't have a little discretionary money. People who face a "regular" world with "irregular" problems every day work harder than us "normal" folks just to get through the day with some dignity and usually do it more cheerfully than the rest of us.
I know that we have a better system than other people around the world and I am grateful that a person like my son has a safety net and I don't mind part of my taxes being earmarked for him and people like him. I also realize that the world is full of people who take advantage of these systems whether they need the assistance or not and that strains the system and is wrong and these people are real scumbags, but THAT'S NOT EVERYONE WHO NEEDS ASSISTANCE!!!!!
Anyway, it's all taken care of now hopefully, and the girl I finally got a hold of was VERY helpful and courteous as most people in these positions are if you treat them respectfully and make them understand your frustration is not directed towards them personally.
It is my opinion that every person on earth who looks askew at those on the "government dole" and thinks they can fix it by merely getting off their lazy a$$es and going to work should spend a little time at least once in their lives needing assistance just to get by and then they might realize that when you are merely trying to get help covering the basics that's a full time job in itself. If a person has 8 hours in a day to either look for work or stand in line all day just to get some milk and cereal for their family and keep the heat on, I assure you they will choose to stand in line. Anyone would. Allowing that some people do choose to merely work that system and I agree that they are scumbags.
I'm no thoughtful prince, but having a child that has caused me by necessity to go through many processes to be certain he gets all the help possible to lead as normal and dignified a life as possible has given me a greater empathy for those in need through no fault of their own than the average person.
And that does NOT make me special, because as his father that's what the hell I'm supposed to do. Many others do the same every day.
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