I first applied for public assistance in the early 80's. I found myself in the welfare lines, having little work experience and facing much competition for jobs, especially those paying a living wage that could sustain the basic needs of most individuals. The entire process of applying for assistance is demeaning to one's self-esteem. You become just another number waiting in line for your daily bread. If you happen to be a male, its that much more degrading, for men are always supposed to be able to find work.

I was able to find work intermittently. I worked as a sales representative making the minimum wage and working inconsistent hours. The pay was barely enough to pay my bills but welfare still cut my benefits. There was no incentive for welfare recipients to work since welfare would cut your public assistance by the amount you made from your job, so you actually gained nothing from your wages. I then began attending college at the State University of New York at Buffalo. A common draw back to being a recipient of public assistance was the lost of food stamps when attending college. One would tend to think just the opposite would happen since in order for students to be more proficient in their studies they first must feed their brains.

After college I felt that I was better qualified and had more to offer to the labor pool, however, by the mid 90's we were already heading towards an economic slow down. There was of course a steady stream of minimum wage positions available to those recipients who did not mind losing all their benefits. Cash benefits terminate once a recipient becomes employed hence, if an individual does not pass their probationary period, usually a month or so, they have no benefits to fall back on.

In some ways public assistance was a benefit to me beyond sustaining my basic needs. For one, I was able to attend college for awhile without being pressured to satisfy a work requirement, which gave me more time to concentrate on my studies. Also it allowed me to obtain a college degree which has been an asset to my work in the community.

I would like very much to see the benefit application process accelerated along with an in-house sensitivity training program implemented, for case examiners. This would help break down the stereotyping and dehumanizing treatment when applying for benefits. Also, it ought to be mandatory upon the Department of Social Services provide information to clients about access to education and/or training. Finally, once an individual becomes employed, their welfare case ought to remain active to help coast them into a stable standard of living and should continue up until the probationary period has ended, usually three months.