My husband lost his job in early January. I filed for medical assistance and food stamps for our family of 5 on January 25th, through Pinal county DES. I was mailed a letter stating that 'more info was requested' and the type of info they needed to complete my case. I turned everything in 2 days following me getting that letter. I waited in a line for 20 minutes, just to hand over everything that was needed for us to receive the benefits.
I was under the impression that they had 30 days to determine our eligibility for the assistance I requested. We get a letter on February 28th that stated that we were approved for both medical and food stamps and what we would receive for the month of January, and so forth. Another letter arrives on March 3rd, that said more info was needed. Apparently they needed proof of my husband received child support dating back from November and a signed statement from my husband stating that he was no longer employed by his former employer.
So, we fax it to them that same day. I have forgot to mention that I had called our caseworker on four different occasions and left messages for her to please return my call, just to make sure she had everything she needed. She never once returned my calls. Finally my husband was able to get ahold of her and she promised our benefits would arrive the following day. They never did. But we got yet another letter stating that we were approved for food stamps, but only eligible for free school lunches for my children. They were counting my husbands income at his previous job.
My husband called and asked to speak to a supervisor, and they put him through to a clerk. He explained that he was receiving the full amount that was receivable through unemployment, that there was not a way for him to be working still and collecting the full amount. The clerk argued with him and said that he was wrong. So, he faxed, immediately, a paper with his ex-employer's letter head stating that he was discharged from employment.
We have not heard anything more until today when we received another letter stating that my children and I were eligible for 'transitional medical' This is because they are including income from my husband's employer, who he is no longer employed with! We were able to get ahold of our caseworker Friday, who once again said that everything was fixed and we would receive our benefits either later that Friday or Saturday. We have not received anything.
This is especially frustrating because up until we needed assistance, my husband worked, supported us nicely and we paid into this state. I never imagined that I would have to ask for assistance, which is hard to do, and then be told we qualified, then we don't, then we do, etc. I just want to be able to go get groceries to feed my children, who didn't ask for any of this.
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