Many people complain about not being able to contact customer call center when they have a problem with their case. Do you think that problem will cease if you had a direct number to an actual caseworker? The same thing would happen. Many calls would go to voicemail or be dropped while that worker is answering questions of one caller. After that call is handled and the worker hangs up, another call is already coming in, not to mention the many calls that were already dropped or that filled up the voicemail. When will they have time to work anyone's case? What complaints will come then? They still didn't answer huh? The call center is prepared and set up to handle high call volumes. While you're on hold, they are on the line with someone else. The calls go into a queue and are answered in the order received.

Banks don't seem to have this problem you might say, or some other agencies. Well guess what? They don't provide Food, Medical and Cash assistance to millions of clients on a daily basis. I'm not making excuses for them. I'm giving the facts. The accessflorida on the web is great because you see what the worker sees. If it's not on your case, it hasn't been done yet. In Florida, the worker has 30 days to complete your Food Stamp case; 45 days to complete your Cash Assistance and Medicaid cases. If it goes a day over this, then complain!! Contrary to what you may think, the case workers do not sit with your application in front of them to wait for the last day of the time standards!!! They don't like looking at all those applications sitting there in front of them with no action taken on them. They know that more are coming and they all have to be completed no matter what.

With the many times most people say they call in and can't get through, how do you expect your case to be finished as soon as you hit submit?! You who complain are one of many. The only difference is expedited food stamp applications. The agency allows certain deductions for your case. Don't think for one second that if your rent/mortgage is $1200 per month and you get $800 month income that they will take off your full shelter amount! That's crazy. If that were the case, everyone would seek higher shelter costs to get more deductions. Deductions are set by the FEDERAL Government and not any individual offices. There are maximum allotment amounts along with maximum income and net income amounts also set by the FEDERAL Government.

If you want to complain, complain to your congressman/woman, president, governor whomever to increase allowable deductions for households needing help. The local offices are working within the guidelines set by FEDERAL Government! Income is calculated as: weekly income x 4.3 and biweekly income x 2.15. GROSS INCOME before any deductions!! Do not think for a moment that they use NET! If they do, everyone will be finding ways to deduct their pay to qualify for benefits. Would you go through cutting your pay to have a small net income to qualify for benefits with the government? Why? For those that really need it due to loss of income or very, very limited income (as stated above), please keep trying. If you do not have access to a computer, there are local offices that have them so you can use them. If no transportation and you are not homebound (disabled to the capacity of not being able to leave your house due to medical physical limitations, etc), then contact your local social security office. If you receive Social Security benefits, you can apply through them. They have set rules to follow also. Contact your local church for assistance, maybe a relative or neighbor. There are community partners out there to help you apply.

No one does this to Social Security or IRS when it takes a long time to get things done now do they? Just go to your local Social Security or IRS office and try cussing out the person at the desk. You will be escorted off premises or worse (arrested!!). I hope this helps a little. Things are bad all over. Apply, if denied, find out the reason (read letter you were sent, etc) and provide that information the next time you apply. If you're eligible based on household size, income, assets, you will be notified of this.

Don't give up if you really need them. For those of you that choose to defraud the system, read the complaints the needy are having with trying to get assistance. Shame on you for lying and getting benefits that others need. Good luck to you all!