So what you may not realize, is that the title of this has a somewhat loose theme to it, and if you know your federal/state programs, you may have recognized it.
Yes, its that wonderful time to analyze and ramble a bit about my Washington State Department of Social and Health Services adventures.
So this entire odyssey began at the beginning of February. I received my half year review by DSHS, and, like any good citizen, I tried to fill out the renewal application online. I did exactly what I did when I filled out the initial application: I put my AmeriCorps benefits under the "Other" category. Last time it worked, so why not this time?
Well apparently this registered as "income", so the lovely Olympia office sent me an income re-certification letter for my "income". Well its too bad I don't make any money. After struggling on the phone, I eventually made my way to the physical office, where I proceeded to talk to a real person, who cleared me in 15 minutes. What a great way to take off half a day of work.
So, now I get a letter saying my benefits are going to be reduced in April. No explanation, and no follow up letter (perhaps they sent this one out before I went into the physical office?)
Now here is my gripe. How, exactly, are working people supposed to get into the office to get their assistance? The government should know that there is an entire class of folks out there who are classified as "working poor", and when the DSHS office is only open from 8:00 AM- 3:00 PM, how in the world are we supposed to get our benefits? I am lucky and privileged enough that my supervisors understand my situation, but to the millions of folks out there who are working, but still need to get benefits, they are hard pressed to find time to take off from their job (many jobs give little if any vacation), and even if you could get time off, if you are a temporary worker, or even starting out, that time off could cost you your well earned position.
This isn't restricted to federal/state assistance either. Doctors, dentists, mental health clinics. They are all only open from 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM. That is the time most people work. Weekends are off limits as well for most of these industries. What a shame that millions of people cannot access services and be well because our society is structured to shut down at 5:00 PM. The only places that are open after work hours are unhealthy eateries, entertainment venues, and bars. We need to work out of the sunlight routine and into the reality of modernity. Sure, it may not be "better" to some people, and we could stand to go outside sometimes anyway, but a staggered work, service, and play schedule seem more logical than lumping two into one, corroding work productivity, and creating an inequality in wellness which stretches among class lines and career privileges. Why hasn't this been brought up in popular discussion? It seems like we could alleviate so many issues by simply restructuring the way we work.
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