Now that I fall into two categories of need--"single parent" and "special needs child"--- my extremist conservative parents said, "Oh, Washington's going to roll out the red carpet for you."
Well, I'm looking, and waiting, and watching, and desperately searching, but so far...there's no red carpet in sight, just pretty much a hopeless abyss.
Housing is the main problem. Rent is expensive. And definitely expensive if you want to live anywhere safe and away from the gangs and hoodlums. The max cash benefit I can get from my local social services is $385/mo. Plus, my medical and food benefits, which I already get. But there is no housing help whatsoever for someone like me. In order to get housing assistance, a person has to be already homeless, and has to be recovering from a drug/alcohol abuse problem. There is nothing for something like me, who does not drink at all, has no criminal history, has a college degree, but is simply unable to work due to the needs of an autistic child. There is no help for someone like me who does not have a co-parent around to help in any way, or any able-bodied, monied, or willing family or friends who can offer long term, permanent help.
People like me have to become homeless and drug addicted before any help can be found. The conservative ideology has won out. This country really has attained an "everyone for themselves" mentality. We are all on our own.
Understandable if you're a stingy sob and don't want any of your tax dollars going to help "welfare moms," but may God forgive you if you become one, or it happens to someone you know, love, and respect. The unknown is always lurking around the corner. In other words, SHIT happens. Oh yes, it does.
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