| The first time he applied for disability, the Social | | | | about $32 per week to survive on. He has three |
| Security Administration lost his birth certificate so | | | | things against him. 1) He is white and English is his |
| that was one delay while he obtained another | | | | native language. 2) He is male. 3) He has no |
| from the state he was born in. Then they lost his | | | | dependent children - legitimate or otherwise. |
| file completely and he had to refile. Next, he | | | | Consequently, he is now being denied food |
| received two letters the same day. One said | | | | stamps. His case is 'in review'. It has been being |
| because he did not answer a letter never | | | | reviewed for the past several weeks. He has |
| received, his case was denied. The other letter | | | | faxed, mailed and tried to call the local Food |
| said they had no record of his filing (this was the | | | | Stamp office. So far no response. |
| second time he filed) | | | | I do not know how my friend is supposed to eat |
| He received a phone call saying they had no | | | | while the Food Stamp office gets around to |
| record of his filing. When he asked, if that was | | | | reviewing his case. I do not know why they say |
| the case, how come they had his phone number, | | | | his case has to be reviewed every four months. |
| the person at the other end suggested he file | | | | What I do know is if my friend was from another |
| again. (Third time) All of this did not happen days | | | | country, and never worked in the states, he |
| or even weeks apart. Each happened over | | | | would not only be getting food stamps |
| several months of waiting. Finally, after four years | | | | automatically, but receiving a government check |
| his case was again denied, but he was allowed to | | | | for over $1500 a month. |
| go to arbitration. His lawyer brought in a file that | | | | Its a sad state of affairs when people born here |
| was over fourteen inches thick. The judge did not | | | | and who worked here all their lives are treated as |
| take days to review the case. He granted my | | | | second class citizens and are denied the right to |
| friend disability on the spot. | | | | survive, while others that come from another |
| Now, because he is on disability, (and receives a | | | | country, and have never contributed anything to |
| little over $700. a month) he is allowed to get | | | | our society, are automatically given whatever |
| food stamps. He was receiving about $130 a | | | | they need. |
| month in food stamps. This averages out to | | | | |