Craig Giesecke: The great food stamp mouse maze

Craig Giesecke

All of us have been watching the storm named Isaac as it bears down on Florida and possibly other parts of the Gulf South. It’s that time of year and, even though it appears so far we will not bear the brunt, such an event always makes us do a mental checklist of things available, where we’d go and all the myriad other things to face during hurricane season.

If conditions get tough enough, as they certainly did after Katrina and even after Hurricane Gustav a few years ago, a lot of folks won’t be able to immediately return to work. When this happens, part of the state’s response has been to make food stamps (the Louisiana Purchase card, it’s called these days) easily available to those who are temporarily without regular income. Such assistance was vital to so many in Katrina‘s aftermath, particularly those caught out on the road with few resources or a dwindling bank account.

But except for emergency times, most of us have little contact with actually obtaining or using such a card. While they are indeed much easier to get during a crisis, the process during non-emergency times is archaic, Byzantine and slow. It is also nigh well impossible if you have a history of self-employment or have left a job voluntarily. You can be sure the state is not tossing these cards from office windows like beads from the Rex Parade floats.

You can begin the process online, if you have access. But, if you don’t, you have to make your way to a state office to apply in person or to a library that has online access. This is a much tougher prospect than it used to be, given the state’s decision so slash funding for libraries — particularly in rural areas. Application can also be made on the phone, but this requires mailing of copies of documents or faxing.

Not only are you required to prove who you are and where you live (like showing a utility bill), but also that you were terminated or to explain why you left voluntarily. Even so, you must obtain a statement from your former employer to that effect, giving exact dates. The state assumes, particularly if you identify yourself as a homeowner, that you are trying to game the system. This means you must produce a copy of your mortgage plus the annual amount of homeowners insurance and taxes, if not being escrowed. A month’s worth of your most recent pay stubs is also required.

Depending on your situation, you might also be required to produce tax records, bank statements, rent receipts, divorce papers, landlord’s info and names and addresses of two unrelated persons to verify most if not all information. Data related to any children or other residents at the same address only adds to this mountain of paperwork that, all in all, is nearly equal to that required to secure a mortgage. To top it off, state workers will not tell you all at once what documents are needed. They will tell you about two, then call back a week later to demand two more, then wait another week to demand yet another load, etc.

Between the copying and faxing and mailing, you have invested nearly as much money you don’t have as you would have received for a week’s worth of groceries with your Louisiana Purchase card. By the way, you already have the card. They mailed that to you the first week. But it is useless until the state finally approves your application and money is actually placed in your account.

Once you finally obtain actual approval, you a subject to consistent checking to make sure your work and income status has not changed. You are also required to show you are working or actively looking for work, often by personally checking in at Louisiana Workforce offices.

Of course, all this runaround is heartening news to those who want to make sure the taxpayer isn’t being ripped off. Justifiably so, particularly when you‘re in line behind someone who is buying a bigger buggy full of nicer stuff than yours and they pay for it with a Louisiana Purchase card. Additionally, there are indeed those who take advantage of the system, such as paying cash to buy someone else’s card and the cardholder uses the money to buy booze and other stuff prohibited from Louisiana Purchase.

My point is getting one of those cards is not nearly as easy as the uninitiated think it is. There are plenty of hurdles to clear — so many that a lot of applicants give up or find another job well before they complete the approval process. Matter of fact, that’s the idea. It’s also why those who actually, finally get the cards are so reluctant to give them up.

In the end, those who need a little temporary help find it nearly impossible to obtain. Those who get the help too often make it a lifestyle because they feel they won‘t be able to get it again if they need it. In both cases, taxpayers deserve better.

Craig Giesecke has been a broadcaster and journalist for over 30 years, including nearly two decades at the AP and UPI covering news, sports, politics, food and travel. He has been the owner of J’anita’s for five years, serving well-reviewed upscale bar food and other dishes. Comments are encouraged and welcomed.