I am writing this to give people an idea of what it's like to navigate Social Services in northern New England. I write from the point of view of a physically and mentally disabled, queer (although that doesn't tend to come up much) cis-female.
I am not asking for donations.
Until recently, I had dealt with the Town General Assistance (GA) office. It was small, with 2 full-time employees, and had only a half-day of walk-in appointments. Otherwise, you called, left a message, and they called back within 48 hours and made an appointment. If you missed it, you got another one within about a week and a half--unless you had a very good reason for missing it!
The rules they worked under were pretty strict. Vouchers only, or bills payed directly. No pet food, but since I had a service dog, with doctor's note and script, they classified him as durable medical equipment so they could get me a voucher for food for him. All they needed was a photocopy of the doctor's letter to show to the selectmen. What I got with the other voucher was my business--I just had to know they couldn't give more than a certain amount for over-the-counter medications. I remember how angry they were at my former landlord--they had wanted to keep me in my apartment, and the landlord refused to be paid by the town.
Now I'm not quite sure what my housing situation is for the end of the month.
But this past month I've been dealing with the city General Assistance, and what a difference.
It's walk-in appointments only. This is very difficult, as I have no transportation of my own. If I could make an appointment, I would still have to inconvenience somebody, but as it is, I have to beg someone's indulgence for hours--for possibly no gain. I'm hearing disabled, so I need to make sure that the staff and the security guard are aware of both that and my name, so that if my name is called, someone knows that they must catch my eye. I sign in, and wait along with a room full of other people.
Thankfully, I have company, and someone to help with my panic attacks and to listen for my name. I'd be in very bad shape otherwise. Pùka does what he can, but windowless rooms with low ceilings are a big trigger.
I'm the last one called.
The City needs far more documentation. Paperwork from the SSI lawyer, the doctors, and about a quarter ream to fill out. The rules are much stricter. No, there's no way to get the service dog food, even though you have no income. Sorry. (Aside--this was taken care of.) The only OTCs allowed are tylenol and aspirin. Benedryl? Shellfish and contact allergies? Get a doctors note, we'll try. Nothing else, even if your doctor says you need it. But we will fill prescriptions, as long as you don't go over your monthly limit. Here's your voucher for non-food items, you can only get what's on the list, don't forget to add tax.
That's all we can do today, you'll have to come back another day about housing.
We've been back. I tried to sign in. There were already so many people there that all 8 hours were spoken for, so I haven't been able to get my medications filled or check on my housing status.
Since I'm not on my anti-inflammatories, I can't walk about eight miles round-trip with incomplete hips and bad knees to go by myself. It really wouldn't be smart, anyway, since I don't have a working phone for emergencies.
But being able to finally get soap, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo and such is heavenly.