Day 26

In order for me to get CalWorks one of the hoops I had to go through was filing for Unemployment.  They didn't seem to care the outcome they just wanted to know I filed.  I worked for Safeway for two months and because they would not transfer me because of my short time there not for any other reason I had to quit.  I was moving for my daughters future and couldn't ask her to hold off on her dreams for another 4 months to stay in an area she hated, stay poor and work at a job that paid only minimum wage, still collected union dues out of that minimum wage and would only guarantee me 24 hours a week to have the opportunity to transfer down to where we are with the same minimum wage and still only a guarantee of 24 hours.  Besides Safeway is not my dream it was a means to an end.  This meant since I quit I most likely did not qualify for and unemployment and since it was only for two weeks at part time the amount would most likely be zero.  I got the letter confirming the Zero dollar amount but I was still expected to have an interview to see if I was approved or denied unemployment.

Yes that is right I needed to have a interview to determine if I qualified or not for $0.00 per week for 26 weeks.  I missed my interview time because I ended up having a job interview but I called back within 48 hours. I needed to otherwise they would make a determination on the facts at hand whether or not I qualified to get the $0.00 or not without my interview answers.  She then told me after I was done answering her questions that I needed to remember to keep turning in my biweekly sheets to make sure my payments didn't get interrupted if it was found that I qualified and that the letter showing what I would qualify for should be there any day.  I told her I already received the letter and it said I got $0.00.  She said yes but that was only a letter telling me what I would receive only if I got approved.  It took all my strength to say thank you and hang up.  So I am now waiting to hear their determination now if I qualify or not to receive unemployment for which if I am unfortunate enough to get approved, I will need to fill out every other week for 26 weeks a questionnaire asking me if I looked for work, got paid for any work, if I was sick any part of the time and if I would like to have taxes taken out of my $0.00 biweekly payment.

Now at least someone is getting paid to waste time and paper... Maybe I should get a job at the EDD since it obviously doesn't require much skill or common sense for that matter.  Actually they probably would think I am too overqualified...

Day 23

Lets start from the bottom... #10 Handouts are bankrupting us. 

It wasn't until my daughter's father stopped paying child support again that I went on CalWorks for the second time.  I started in January and in the 17 years my daughter has been alive I have been on CalWorks or what some call cash aid or welfare for a total of 6 months.  I have had food stamps or now it is called CalFresh for 9 months total.  Here is why...

I dont want to be on assistance.  There are many rules and I just dont really want to waste time fighting for scraps.  I would rather be working and contributing to society.  Two of the rules that bug are the welfare to work program that is mandatory for some.  I did it the first time I was on aid and I had to waste time going to an office every day to check in and look for work on their computers.  I am a big girl and know how to look for work.  They taught me very little as I knew most of what they were pushing.  I understand the reasons behind the program but I think that there should be evaluations and if you show that you dont need to be babysat and have the motivation in you to do it on your own you shouldn't have to go. 

The second is the child support being taken.  While you are on CalWorks they take all but 50.00 of your support.  Now for me that amount is neck and neck... both being in the 500 - 600 range.  So If her father is paying support regularly then there is no benefit for me to be on CalWorks.  They of course like that but how many people can support 2 people on less than 600.00 per month even with the addition of food stamps.   Rent where we moved to is much less than in the bay area but is still 500 - 600 even for a studio and a room is between 400 - 500.  Then there is transportation.  Even to give up driving the public transportation is 60.00 per month per person and it is only city wide.  If I was to get work in another city I would need to double that assuming they had a city to city connection in the first place.  Then there is my phone that helps me email prospective employers and make needed phone calls.  Sundries that food stamps don't cover and clothes and shoes only last so long.

In addition for a while I didn't even qualify for either program because I made too much with unemployment.  I know that sounds crazy but it was true.

Day 20

Today was the first day of school.  On the one hand I want to work but on the other hand these classes have a lot of work themselves. Success takes sacrifice.  I just wonder if we can stand to make more sacrifices than we already have. 

Made chili from scratch last night and our roommates loved it so that was a positive thing.  So much of being an outcast (homeless) seems no different than being just like everyone else.  

Tomorrow I plan on breaking down the list I posted earlier in the month.

Day 16

And then there are the bad days...  out of 6 good possibilities on the job front three are a no go, two are a we have to hold off for right now but we will be in touch and only one is still a good maybe because they haven't chosen yet...  It is day's like this that really make me feel useless and insignificant.   The homeless person in me makes me feel like it is unfair and purposeful even though I know that is not the case logically. 

The trick is to not give up.  We have our bad days but also our good ones.  I sit at one of the tables at the shelter and look around and see that maybe 10% - 15% of these people have a chance to be better than they are.  Not because the others can't but because they dont want to.  They hate their lives and they hate themselves but they have no drive to change their situation.  They want someone else to do it for them.   They want to blame others for their situation.   They are career shelter people.  It is an easy way out for them.  A place to stay, dinner,  snacks, bathrooms and no true pressure except for some over the top rules and empty threats.  That is not us nor will it ever be.  We are out of here after tonight only having to be here 2 1/2 weeks. 

Little steps....

Day 14

Today was a good day.  Last night we signed our paperwork to move into the room for rent on Saturday.  Today we both had our appointments for disability accommodations at the college and were approved.  Then we drove 40 miles to Santa Barbara to sign up with another temp agency.   It was worth it l think because he has a position he is going to recommend me for and believes they will take me.  It would be an 18 mo assignment and the pay is good as well.  It would be good for the bay area so it is great here.  We could actually save money for the future.  What a concept...

Day 11

On the first when we moved in there was another person with two rug rats that were sick.  Those two kids started a chain reaction that made most of us in here sick and me within the first 24 hours.  I went to the Emergency room on the 5th since my Medi-Cal had not switched over yet and he told me I just had a cold.  I went back again today and they finally took me seriously.  1 steroid, 1 antibiotic and 2 inhalers later...

Tomorrow I have my welfare to work appointment so I can request school since I am already enrolled.  Tuesday we see if we hit it off with the person who might rent us a room.  I am very hopeful since I think it would be a good opportunity and then we could get oit of this hell hole.  Wednesday we drive all the way to Santa Barbara for another interview with a different temp agency for positions they have here.  We keep working the path and keep our minds and hearts on the future.

Day 8

Today we spent the day at the college.   I am amazed that all the departments except one bend over backwards to help and the one that won't is the one that should be the most helpful.  Financial Aid.  It's not like it's their money.  But this school is making requirements that are impossible to fill and would never be required by any federal entity.   An example... I needed to fill out an adjustment appeal for my daughter's Financial Aid for her to get the maximum.  She deserves it, our other school before this one already determined this.   Since we were from out of town at the time and they won't do email or fax everything had to be snail mail.  This took forever with transporting information back and forth.   We got told we needed an IRS transcript for 2013 taxes.  This was because our aid was based off that year.  That was fine and I ordered it.  The issue was it's other requirement.  They also require a 2014 transcript if your appeal is after December 1st.  I thought it was a typo and was told no that is correct.  I looked right at the guy and said "did you get your W-2 yet from your work?"  When he said no I said "then how can you expect anyone else to not only already have theirs but already have filed their taxes and have it approved by the IRS and generated a transcript by December 1st."  He told me it was policy and wouldn't budge.  I ended up with all my issues with financial aid having to make an appointment with the VP of Student Services.