Welfare Warriors

Fall 2006

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  Fall 2006

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Freedom Is Only A Heartbeat Away - Revisited
 

San Diego Welfare Warriors, Lillian Hanson (front) with Kathy Evans-Calderwood (left), Joyce Scatolini-Madrid, and Alexa Quiros

My first article in Welfare Mothers Voice, now Mother Warrior Voice, was published in 1993. I compared my life as a welfare mom to that of my one-time friend. She was a single mother who had been a sister welfare mom. But she became a Social Security beneficiary when her eldest son's father suddenly died.

In 1935 both programs were supposedly created to provide for fractured families. But they awarded different amounts of income support to each family. And they differed even more in how they—and the world---treated their grantees.

The most obvious difference: Social Security simply sent her the checks. There were no rules; no requirements that she do anything to get them other than have a current address. When she told me how much the checks were, I was astounded. Her check for only ONE child was more than my two children on AFDC received.

I felt a pit at the bottom of my stomach when she segued into her "new" life. She had substantially more income and the prospect of an unfettered future. She had free time to do virtually as she pleased—at least until her son turned eighteen. She could work, study or stay home. Her son’s SS check would never be reduced by her work pay. (Her own check as a widow was only reduced if she made more than $8000 a year.)

Years later my life has taken a similar turn. I now receive Social Security. Not by a death (thank God), but by a cancer diagnosis.  In April 2005, I was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer. I was ordered to quit both my jobs and apply for state disability, and Social Security.

Just before this bad news I received a $400 hike in my HUD subsidized rent. I had to borrow to pay this at first. But while waiting for Social Security, HUD hadn't yet tabulated the new amount. Fortunately I paid the old amount until they did the new calculations. That hurdle crossed, I then waited for the outcome of my state disability. When it kicked in, it net me $480 including back pay.

During all this time, my counselor and I were compiling paperwork for my Social Security application.  We combined a past history of depression with my cancer diagnosis. I was surviving on $170 bi-weekly checks from state disability and food stamps. (By this time my kids were grown. I received a pretty generous amount of foodstamps for a single person - $149 a month.)

At long last the Social Security check arrived - direct deposit - and I was ecstatic! I got a sizable bonus for the time spent waiting. I was able to deposit most of it into my savings account, where much of it remains. In this case, it really IS a nest egg. The difference between Social Security and TANF makes it possible for me to live off my benefits without relying on savings.

I couldn't help but notice how the environment and treatment at the Social Security office differed from the typical welfare office. There were similar-appearing clients in the lobby and a security guard in the corner. But even he was notably friendlier than the ones in the welfare office.

            The Social Security worker we met was very friendly (possibly because I was with a professional). She explained the program in great detail. She didn't seem the least impatient or hurried. And she urged us to call if there were anything we might need later. The office, in a newer building downtown, was clean and well kept, although sparse. It possessed a whole different atmosphere than that of my old welfare office. No angry outbursts from clients. Everyone seemed relatively calm. Their wait system seem to move fairly quickly. They had two separate areas (and numerical sequences) to aid different types of clients at the same time.

I wouldn't wish a debilitating and possibly life-threatening illness on anyone. But

the receipt of Social Security after years of TANF was like a breath of fresh air. No more

annoying monthly reporting. No more worrying if that check would be delayed by any

unforseen “errors” on TANF's or my part. And no other requirements other than I remain in the same condition.

 I recently returned to my part-time job at my local library. But my monthly checks have not been reduced by any significant amount.

I can't help but think how much different my life could have been--if I'd had the benefit of Social Security’s extra money AND its no-strings- attached benefits. It's as obvious as night and day. Yet our influential policy makers are just as obtuse as they've always been. There are no apparent changes in sight.

Lately we hear about how the middle-class is suffering (according to CNN's Lou Dobbs and others). I faced down many members of that same class. I admonished them for their ignorance in their attitudes and views on the poor. And I advised them, "Don't rest easy, folks -YOU'RE NEXT".  Inwardly I wondered if I'd been bluffing. Was I just volleying a reply back at them in my own defense? But it appears I was not premature or incorrect in my predictions.

I ask, "What's it going to take for all of us, collectively as a nation, to rectify this problem?"  Families shouldn't have to rely on a loved ones' death or debilitating illness for security, peace of mind, or dignity and self-respect.  I will continue speaking out and participating in the fight for human rights despite my current condition. May the light of hope keep our dreams and goals within our reach.

Lillian Hanson

In 1991 Lillian founded the San Diego branch of Welfare Warriors