So, i missed my 32 hours a week 'required' activity...

[FirstLight]

me & 3 kids = $780 tanf
one turned 18 last month, now = $660

and since the computer says i am below the 32 hours a week activity =$530
my rent=$250 (hud housing, thank god)

until december, that income won't change...I have to prove i can sustain a 32 hour a week jobsearch
Been hard core looking for months, not a bite, nothing...i am so jaded i am beginning to think the first interview i get i will blow because i am so pissed at the whole thing... have been 'unemployed' for 3 years in January...at first my freelancing was keeping us afloat, then it wasn't.... then tanf told me it was not viable and i had to do *their* idea of something productive. sign into the jobone every morning, and out every afternoon, attend classes on how to dress, interview, etc, ...

and the tears and fear and panic of "how are we going to *DO* this" is palpable right now...can't stop weeping for the whole feeling of desperation. my kids are worried we are going to run out of food, thank goodness we still get foodstamps...this sucks i hate being poor!

[d_r]

1. times really are hard

they are for us too. I have a good job, I'm payed the first of every month. We are flat out of money until I get paid the first. About a glass of milk left for our two-year-old. But we are so lucky because we have enough stuff like crackers and some mac and cheese etc. So many are not as lucky. But so many of us are living pay day to pay day, even with a good job. I'm sorry I don't have anything better to say. I guess I just wanted to say I understand and I feel for you and hang in there.

I had to go to court Monday, I had $2.90. I was trying to get to talk to the lawyer quickly to get out to my car before the $3 ticket went another 1/2 hour to 3.50 for the parking garage. I made it, and the guy let me go with 2.90.

It's crazy isn't it.

[FirstLight]

2. ya, i know

I know there are people with way worse issues...i am glad we even have a roof over our heads.

Hate to come here and bawl, but i just had to get it out and try to stop feeling so futile and loserific...

[d_r]

3. NO

It is overwhelming, and it is nuts, and it is so frustrating and you shouldn't feel bad for saying so.

[ejpoeta]

4. living the high life on the taxpayer dime!!!

that is sarcasm in case you thought i was serious. i'd like to see those damned congress jerks and others who claim that people living on assistance are just sitting back collecting their loot. off buying tvs and living it up. the reality is not so reality tv ish. it sucks. keep up the fight. don't let the system get you down. do the best you can. my thoughts are with you.

[shireen]

5. i'm so sorry to hear this ...

It is wrong. NO ONE should have to live like this.
:hug:

[FirstLight]

6. my meeting with the worker is tomorrow

i have to bring in my sheets of employment contacts to 'prove' i have been looking... :puke:

I have a possible temp/perm gig i'm up for, it's only 15-20 hrs a week, but it is $14/hr LONG TERM.....and i am telling him if i get it, that's it for me... I will do the rest of my "time" per week pursuing my freelance stuff and that should be it. I will not keep looking for a full time gig that doesn't exist. I will keep working on making MY business and skills viable as an independent contractor.

if he doesn't like it, he'll sanction me again
fuck 'em
I am going to do what i can to make *myself* a success, they certainly don't give a crap about THAT.

If they want to help me find someone to assist me in writing a business plan, great.
If they want me to take a small business class, great.

But i am NOT looking to work 40 hours a week for someone else when i have stuff i have to do too. Like maybe starting up that non-profit community building program i have been wanting to do, like maybe helping others in business, etc...
I am gonna keep my eye on my dreams, and not let them tell me i can't have them.

[socialshockwave]

8. Bravo to you, Op.

Don't give up. Don't listen to the lies spewed by the Right.


The contempt that capitalist societies show to their poorest citizens(it happens here too) is disgustingly appalling.

[Naturyl]

7. It's fun being jackbooted around by paternalistic fascists, eh?

But hey, they've got to make sure you're *really trying* to find work, yadda yadda. That's all that matters. Getting you conforming, producing, and affirming their values - because unless you affirm their values, you and your kids don't have a right to live.