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in the early 90s, they kept switching workers on me and even though I submitted ALL my forms on time, my (what was called) AFDC checks were often late, even WEEKS late. I worked full time for barely above minimum wage (AND carried a full load of units at school with straight As while raising a toddler) yet I had to spend EVERY 15 minute break I had at work calling their office begging for the checks I was owed. It's a damn good thing my daycare provider was both exceedingly patient and had a husband with a good job.

And then they threatened to cut me off because I didn't show up to the resume workshop at 2pm...on a workday. And they'd hound me, leaving messages on my answering machine starting at 7am asking for forms I'd already given them WEEKS ago.

All this, and the one time I slipped up and accidentally mentioned that I had some vinyl records I'd been collecting since I was 12, one of them said I was likely exceeding the asset test and would have to start selling my albums before they'd reinstate me. (This was during a time when the value of vinyl was down to nubs, not like today...they probably weren't even worth what I paid for them at that point.)

Ultimately, I demanded and received a written apology from the head of welfare in San Mateo County.

Those school units paid off, though. I pay three times more in taxes a year than I earned at that job...so tell me again how helping me for three and a half years was such a drag on the system.

Fuck these heartless monsters. I'm a pacifist and would never do anything myself, but I'll just say that I hope every one of them gets every bit of karma they deserve.