So what do I do now? (Food Stamps)

Death of Rats

About a month ago I realized I more than likely qualified for, and need, food stamps. I live in Schaumburg Illinois. So I did the online application, waited to hear from them, and finally got a letter from them setting up a phone interview for yesterday.

I faxed them all the information the requested, waited patiently by the phone, and never received a call. About two hours after I was suppose to have the interview I started calling the office, no answer. I called at least 50 times, no answer. So I think, hey, maybe they're taking 5 day weekend for Thanksgiving. So I wait until this morning, and started calling again and again and again. After about 30 tries, I finally got an answer. I told the person what happened, and they transferred me to my case worker's extention. It went directly to voice mail.

So now I'm at a loss for what to do. It seems to me I'm never going to receive a call. I'm never going to get on to the interview at this rate. Obviously this DHS office is shady. So I'm wondering, what should I do now? Should I keep trying to call and get through? Or is this just business as usual for the Illinois DHS offices?

MutePrez

Try contacting your congressional representative's district/local office - they can probably help you by contacting the office themselves and light a fire under their ass. Usually they'll either tell you about opening a case file in their office (which is essentially just writing them a letter with your information and the service you need) or they'll refer you to someone who can help if this is outside their jurisdiction.

It still might take some time though, a record number of people are on food stamps and they might just be overworked at those offices. But give them a call.

jeddy lee

Hmmm... glad my office don't run that way. I reccomend going to the office in person. Eligibility Tech training varies from region to region, and in some states it's an absolute run-around clusterfuck. Fortunately, Food Stamps is a federal program and you are entitled to an interview for that application you turned in, and if you meet the criteria, they need to expedite it. Tell them you need an interview, that you followed all of the instructions, and don't let them forward you to your caseworker. Either have them reschedule an interview, or if they won't then ask to speak to a supervisor.

You shouldn't get a run around, especially not when you are desperate.

Death of Rats

I've been trying to get a hold of them again since I made this post. Seriously, this office just doesn't pick up their phone, or is too busy to get but every 200th call.

I've called well over 100 times. No answer.

(edit)

Damnit... finally got through, again, asked to speak with my caseworker... voicemail again.

jeddy lee

MutePrez wrote: »

Try contacting your congressional representative's district/local office - they can probably help you by contacting the office themselves and light a fire under their ass.

I strongly advise against this course until you talk to a supervisor. Most likely a mistake was made or someone was being lazy, going to their supervisor and explaining the situation is the best, fastest course of action.

You have several other options if that doesn't work including a "fair hearing" or going to the congressmans office.

jeddy lee

Death of Rats wrote: »

I've been trying to get a hold of them again since I made this post. Seriously, this office just doesn't pick up their phone, or is too busy to get but every 200th call.

I've called well over 100 times. No answer.

(edit)

Damnit... finally got through, again, asked to speak with my caseworker... voicemail again.

The thing is, you don't really have a caseworker until an interview. You need an interview with the soonest available caseworker. Is this the number you are trying to call, 1 (217) 524-4174?

Death of Rats

No, it's 847-745-3200. At least that was the number on the letter they sent me for the phone interview. What's the number you're giving me?

MutePrez

jack eddy wrote: »

MutePrez wrote: »

Try contacting your congressional representative's district/local office - they can probably help you by contacting the office themselves and light a fire under their ass.

I strongly advise against this course until you talk to a supervisor. Most likely a mistake was made or someone was being lazy, going to their supervisor and explaining the situation is the best, fastest course of action.

You have several other options if that doesn't work including a "fair hearing" or going to the congressmans office.

I'm sorry, what? This kind of stuff is a large part of what district offices do - they intervene on behalf of constituents when federal agencies are giving them the run-around so that they can get access to the services they're entitled to. It doesn't matter what the reason for the delay is, the fact of the matter is that he needs these food stamps and the DHS Office isn't being as responsive as it should be.

Now I don't know what's going on in that DHS office, but if someone's being lazy and there's no way for him to get any attention on his own then going to the district office is exactly what he should do.

jeddy lee

I'm saying that going to your representatives office before even trying to sort it out locally is a huge waste of resources, especially when the supervisor can likely solve it themselves. Going to the same caseworker over and over again, when they've proven unhelpful, is not solving anything. If attempts to speak to someone else arn't working, then go higher to the representatives office.

The number I gave you if is out of state Food Stamp / TANF verification hotline. Call them and just explain your situation.