The Poor Are People Too: Is Every Person on Welfare Trying to Milk the System?

A short while ago I had an unpleasant experience with a Family Independence Agency (FIA) employee. I am unhappy to say that the employee wasn't a pleasant person to interact with. In fact, her presence as a whole was enough to make any individual feel either self-conscious because of their current economic situation or less of a person.

Please, ma'am, may I have a little help?

The short time I was there was agonizing! When I arrived at the empty agency with my toddler, we stood in line for a ridiculous amount of time waiting to be called by one of two women who felt that their conversation about mundane events should have precedence over a family in need of food assistance. Heaven's forbid if your time was just as important as their conversation! To be very honest, I felt as if we were purposely being held in line (we were the only people in line) just for the fun of it.

Staring with an underlying expression of "please call on me" with a smile did not flatter them at all. We had to wait and wait some more until one of the women finally decided to turn their entire body in our direction instead of looking at us out of the corner of their eye. "May I help the next person in line!" she shouted. Finally!

After signing in and having a seat in the waiting room, I recited inspirational thoughts and scriptures to myself because I was declaring a blessed day. Although I was in a situation where help was needed, I was still going to praise God every chance I got. Thoughts of finally having some extra money to feed a growing child became a focal point. Just then my name was called and my case worker stepped into the lobby. Taking a deep breath, I forged ahead.