today i had my IMPACT appointment.
it is probably called something different in other states, but it boils down to being job “training” mandated by the state, to get people off food stamps and welfare.
it was very strange and surreal. i was in a room with 3 other IMPACT clients, and we had to fill out a 6 page questionnaire, asking things such as: are there enough rooms in your house? what was your favorite thing about high school? are you willing to relocate for a job? have you been sexually abused?
the other people voiced their opinions about the whole process loudly, while staring into space, more as if talking to themselves than anything. One of the men shared that he partied hard in high school, but was now in college, and couldn’t possibly work full time. the other men said that all he wanted was medical care, and that he could not work full time because of medical conditions. the woman said that “people like us shouldn’t even be here, this is bullshit”.
i was consequently ushered in the case manager’s office, a soft spoken woman that seemed apologetic about existing. she asked me what my life goals were, why i couldn’t work full time, and filled up silently whatever computer file was in front of her while looking down at my questionnaire.
at the end she told me that i was fine and exceeded the requirements of the program. apparently the requirements are that you have to make the same amount of money as you would make with a full time job that pays minimum wage. that doesn’t make any sense to me. so a person that works 4 hours and makes a shit ton of money is fine, but someone that is working their ass off, and being underpaid has to work more?
if you don’t meet the requirement, the state can mandate training, meetings, and even offer you a job that you can’t refuse. i left feeling like i had gotten away with something, my life and choices unscathed, my ability to buy good food for my daughters safe, and wondering if the other people in the room would be so lucky. i hope so…
