The Rio Grande Report: The cracks

I'm thinking of going back to school. SLCC has a new program that is right up my alley. Education is the best way to increase your salary, and better your life. I've tried and tried to finish my higher education, but life just seems to get in the way. You know what I'm talking about-everyday survival. This time I really want to do it. There's only one thing that makes me hesitate.

If I go back to school full time, I no longer qualify for my housing subsidy.

So the desire for me to better myself, and possibly make more money so I don't have to depend on social services like housing, could make it more difficult for me to pay my rent and stay housed. I'm afraid I might wind up back on the street or paying more for rent than I can afford if I go back to school.

It's these kind of illogical policies and guidelines that discourage people from doing anything to get off welfare and other assistance.

Another example: I recently returned to work. I needed some income after my General Assistance ran out in August. It's a temporary position, and part-time. I've had a hardship deferral for a few months due to my lack of income and open SSI/SSD case. I'd really rather just be able to pay rent. My case worker told me going back to work cancels the hardship. I will not be able to re-apply for that hardship. So, when this job ends in April, if I don't find further work, or my unemployment is denied for any reason, I'll have no way to pay my rent again, and could end up back on the street.

This is the tenuous state of existence known as "slipping through the cracks." It's a no-man's land where you're not doing well enough to house yourself, but you're not doing bad enough to receive help. It's more of a chasm than a crack. It's the gap where people lose their apartments and homes and can't feed their families. It's the desert of despair where many people just stop caring.

Right now in the U.S. this canyon is widening faster than ever. I don't know what the answer is, but I don't think throwing trillions of dollars into war, or rewarding corporate faliure with huge bail-outs is solving the problem.

Government policies shouldn't discourage people from finishing their education, or re-entering the job market.

I'd like to hear from those of you who have, or are currently, experiencing this, or any kind of hardship in this New Great Depression. Leave a comment on this post, or e-mail me at riograndereport@live.com.

Utah

...swindled out of her home... by Lana Groves Deseret News