Well folks, for those of you that know of my frequent battles with the local department of human services (food stamps, cash assistance, medicaid etc) I just worte my congressman concerning the latest issue.

To keep it short, the office personell screwed up, didnt do their job properly, and my food stamps have been canceled. When I approached them about it, they told me I had to reapply and wit the thirty to fourty five days to get a new case opened up, meanwhile going without food for me and my kids.

I ended up talking with the directors seceratary, and she kept trying to blow me off and told me to just contact my congressman. So after getting her to promise to set me up with an apoointment to talk witht he director (which we all know she didnt do), I located my congressmans address and wrote tohim concerning the issue, and the fact that I have had nothing but problems with them from day one, just like the directors seceratary told me to do

So what do you think? Did I go too far by contacting my congressman, even though I have had these problems for over two years now, or should I have gone to him sooner?

it probably got thrown into the trash! if you didn't send money for his/her campaign they (his/her staff) threw it in the trash

I think you did a very smart thing.My sister was having the same type of issues a few years ago and she to contacted her Congress woman and BINGO she got results!
I wish you the same success!

I used to work for the department of social services, first file an appeal to the decision to close your case there is information of how to do that on the form sent telling you they were closed. Appeals process they will continue your benefits until the appeal. Second, always ask to talk to the supervisor of the person you are speaking to. Keep doing this until you have spoken to the administators. Third there is a client advocate in the office at social services, call and talk with this advocate about your case. After doing all of those things actions should be done. Writing to your legislator is good too, but actions are slow. The mayors office is faster. Hope this helps

I did all that already, they will not let me appeal it. In fact I never got a letter stating it was canceled.
I spoke with the first supe. she did nothing
I talked with her supe.
he did nothing
I talked to the directors seceratary who gave me the run around and told me to contact my congressman

So I contacted my congressman
I will be looking for the mayor tomorrow thanks for that tip

daniel..... If what you are saying is fact -- that the Department of Human Services has been screwing up your food stamps for a period of two years, you did the right thing. You and your children should not be doing without food stamps, if you are entitled to them.

However, I would have gone a step further. I would have written to everyone. By that I mean that my mother is a republican and she requested handicapped parking in front of her house since she is disabled and handicapped. The township ignored her request despite her having submitted all of the necessary paperwork required. This happened a few years ago. Anyway mom wrote a letter to the U.S. Republican Senator from her State along with the Republican State Senator. She also wrote letters to her U.S. Congressman and to her State Representative. In addition she wrote letters to the Chairman of the Republican Party in her State and in her County. Last but not least she wrote to an agency which administers to the handicapped and disabled. Unbelievably, everyone answered her letters. At any event, mom got her handicapped parking space.

My point is, if you are right, send letters to everyone -- fight for your rights. Get on the Internet and do a google and find out who your senators and etc. are and send them letters. Don't be nasty or mean -- keep stressing that it is a terrible hardship, especially for your children.

Good luck to you.

Thanks hun, that is exactly what I am planning to do, is go through everybody. And that includes both republicans AND democrats, as I do not follow any particular party.

I also intend on seaking legal counsel in the next couple weeks if neccesary, and filing a class action suit, bringing in anyone else who has had these problems, which there are hundreds of us.

If it gets straightened out reasonable soon I will nt go the legal route thistime, although it will be the very first thing I do next time it happens again.

If you do not hear back from your congressman within a couple of weeks, call his office. They have staff that address these sorts of issues. They'll ask you to sign a form that says you give permission for them to look into the matter on your behalf.

I had god awful problems with INS. I contacted my congressman who looked into the matter and got results. I'll give a plug here to Ben Cardin of Maryland who was my congressman at the time and who is now a U.S. Senator.

Good Luck.

ULL PROB GET A LETTER SAYING HE UNDERSTANDS UR PROBLEM BUT HIS HANDS ARE TIED...... GOOD LUCK

daniel .... you do not have a law suit. you cannot sue unless you prove malice of forethought. and that is something very difficult to do. it will take a couple of weeks for these republicans and/or democratics to answer you. since you do not have a party affiliation, write to whichever party is stronger in your state. w