When I took my dogs outside first thing this morning, I noticed how wonderful the weather felt: 64 degrees! I've been griping about the heat forever and using that as an excuse not to walk. I need exercise for my mental health. So I went out for a stroll. I logged 1 1/2 miles, according to this Map My Walk free app on my phone. And I felt so good. One of the problems with being depressed is the disconnect I feel between body, mind, and spirit. Getting outside and moving was calming, centering, and empowering.
I took that energy over to Fort Walton Beach to the Access Florida office. I needed face-to-face help with SNAP (food stamps). I was approved (according to correspondence I received online) as of Sept. 5. I was supposed to get my EBT card within seven business days of that correspondence. Didn't happen. So I called customer services and was told to "give it a few more days." I asked if they could confirm my address. They had the correct one. I asked if they could confirm that the card was indeed mailed. They wouldn't look that up but just said, "your case is pending, you should get mail saying you are approved, then wait 7 business days for the card." I told them about the electronic letter that said I was approved, that I had signed up for electronic correspondence. They said that didn't matter, to watch for a physical letter, then expect the card a few days later. Ugh. Since then I've tried to call various numbers and it's a real aggravation. I go through touch tone menus for upwards of 4 minutes each call to be told all customer service reps are busy, call back later. Not "hold until someone can help you." But "Call back."
Anyway, I felt a face-to-face was in order, and after the walk felt energized enough to go down there and sit in the office until I had some kind of answer. I was pleasantly surprised to find them nice and helpful. Turns out my card had never been ordered, much less mailed. So now I'm waiting 7 business days, but I do expect to receive it.
Also, on my way out the door, they asked if I needed a free phone. Wait, what? Because I qualify for food stamps (and some other mysterious factors I didn't even ask about), I do in fact qualify for a free phone too. It's a tiny little track phone. No touch screen. No data package that I know of. But for the first 5 months, I get 500 free monthly phone minutes and unlimited texting. The phone itself is free as well. I should get this in the mail in a couple of weeks. And I was informed that this is NOT an "Obama phone" because George W. set up this program after Hurricane Katrina.
When I get a job, I will notify the food stamps folks and the GW Phone folks that I no longer need their programs. It's the right thing to do, for one, and I don't want to commit fraud. In the meantime, I'll be happy to have assistance on both fronts.
I do feel like me again. Like, for real real. Not tired, not foggy, not sad. Actually motivated and able to enjoy life. Sometimes that's a trick. This is an up-and-down kinda thing. But I feel a little more me than on the last good day. It feels less ... tenuous?
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