Another major problem with being poor in Idaho is the driving requirement. Not only are you required to have a license or proof of why you do not have one, you are required to spend an inordinate amount of time driving places. Fill out this form and take it to that agency across town. Show up at this office somewhere else and present a copy of this form. Register in person at these three places and provide your driver's license and social security card. The problem with this is the gas gauge is drawing down faster than a little boy sucking on the straw in a milkshake. Can I email a copy of this to the agency? NO. Asking that is like asking if its okay to sacrifice a goat at the front desk--and at one place, I'm pretty sure they require a blood sacrifice if you don't complete your quests--just not at the front desk.
Provide proof that you have a car that can be used for this agency's requirements of you. Not having a personal car is sin in southern Idaho. The wheels turn in the case manager's head, and I might as well be covered in contagious leprosy. If you don't have a personal car, you are even more of a problematic poor person, especially if you cannot walk. We have one car, and even though I've explained that my husband works in a neighboring town, this too is a sin. Finally, the wheels stop turning, "Well, one of you will have to drop the other off and pick up later," she says brightly. Technically, she is suggesting that I either spend from 8 am until 6 pm in an office (which closes at 5), waiting for my noon appointment and then a ride, or she is suggesting that we drive 80-120 miles a day in order to drop off and pick up. Again, the amount of gas they expect you to use in order to fulfill their requirements is excessive when you don't have cash to fill the tank.
Another "strong suggestion" (because they really can't enforce this one), is that you show up for all appointments, classes and interactions dressed for an interview. I have one interview outfit. I draw the line at wearing it everyday, especially for classes and appointments where we go over exciting bits like, "have you thought about a job in production?" "I don't think being somewhat crippled works well in a cheese or cardboard factory, but yes, I can apply there." Personally, dressing for success means I wear clothing that doesn't set me up for further injury and pain. That means my safe and sensible sneakers and nothing frilly or excessive to get caught up in the crutches.
The classes they send you to have homework and forms to fill out. You know, since you obviously aren't spending your time trying to fill out the mandatory applications for work that you must present every week. At this point, I don't know if its supposed to be helpful or if its supposed to break your spirit. I'm leaning toward believing the entire system is designed to break your spirit.
If you fail, or even falter, in fulfilling the sometimes asinine requirements, they will "sanction" you, which means suspend or ban you from receiving food stamps or medicaid. This means that they can take away the food and medical care of the children. Its a poignant scare tactic that I have no desire to test. So I struggle to fulfill their requirements that are sometimes physically impossible. I do the best I can, and I live in fear that its not going to be good enough.
This is all part of the being poor in Idaho. So far, fulfilling the program requirements take up the time I budget for actual job hunting. They also do nothing to actually address the physical problems that keep me from getting hired. No one wants to hire someone who doesn't have a permanent disability but who needs physical accommodations to do simple work. If there is someone who is willing to help me fix my very fixable problems, I'll work anywhere. The problem is that no one wants to help the injured poor. Its easier to throw them away like yesterday's bad chicken.
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