In 2008, on my lunch hour after being told by DOR to go to the local Child support office to speak with them concerning my case I decided to do just that. The office here is located on MLK Blvd right under I-4 to the right heading west towards Tampa on MLK. I walked in to find anywhere between 80-100 people all races, ages and creed alike. As soon as you walk in they have security there asking you to fill out this yellow-orange paper. This paper requests information about you and the non custodial parent. SSN, DOB, Address, Previous/Current employment ect... After 20 minutes filling out this paper of all the information that Child support should have if they were doing there job properly. I put back the tiny pencil just small enough for a small child to fit in there little hands, of course this little itty bitty pencil was minus an eraser to correct any mistakes. I stood in the long line waiting to speak with the woman in the window. She took a short minute with each and every one of the people in line including myself trying to figure out who is best to review the case as she put each of us on a waiting list. She then requested us all to have a seat one by one.
While sitting like sardines in a tight can and observing the people of differences around me I noticed several school aged children "Not in school on a week day" running around like they have never been corrected or taught to sit patiently in an office environment. Those same children have ripped, stained clothes on and dirty as if they had not seen water since there summer vacation pool visit. To my amusement those very same children were running up calling woman mom that had there nails done, hair done up, toes done, designer clothes on and gold jewelry on as if they only cared about there self's. It was very shocking to me that if they have there children, I was pretty sure they were in that office for the very same reason I was but yet they look like they do fine for themselves. Not trying to pass judgment but I felt very out of place and uneasy with the situation I seen in that office. After waiting 40 minutes I starting biting at the bit in hopes that they would be able to see me so I could get back to work at my allotted time, not trying to be late to the sole income of feeding and clothing my children.
I had approximately 10 minutes to get back to work ready to give up and leave I heard my name called. Once back in the little office with what looked like bullet proof glass that stretched from the top of the desk all the way to the ceiling. A little cut out in front like a bank teller was present for you to slide any paperwork pertaining to your case through as well as a way for the office personnel to here your speech. I explained that I was hurting and that I needed them to do more for my case. I explained that I didn't feel as if they were working towards holding my ex to his responsibility. The guy that I spoke with had dusty black/grey hair as if he had some wisdom to him but yet he right away pulled an application for food stamps and government assistance out from behind his desk and slid it through the window. Explaining to me that if I was having such a hard time financially that I needed to file for welfare pushing the paper that explained how to do so. I am not an emotional person to say the least but that was a pain in my heart and mind that was too hard for me to hold in the emotions. I started to cry, I think more pissed then hurt. I have been working two jobs for the past several years and raising my children in a middle class life while struggling to stay OFF of welfare. A proud life that I can do so and remain just above water so that my tax dollars can go to people that are truly hungry and hurting. Now I know the system has several users that should not be on it, they should be up working two jobs too to stay off of it. If I can do it most of them can too. Again not my position to judge. There are many people out there that need help from our government and THAT is who it is for, For the people that need it for a short time and never abuse what is being handed to them "My Tax Dollars". Those people who do the right thing and take help when they need it and only when they need it is the ones that I don't mind helping. The situation at hand here and what my mind was trying to wrap around was simply this. Child support is asking me to file for State assistance instead of them doing there job and getting me what is allotted BY COURT to help me raise my children. REALLY! It doesn't matter how hard I work the Child support enforcement is not working as hard. Before I left I slid the paper back through the little window and looked the guy in the eye and said " I didn't come here for state assistance I came here today begging for your help in forcing my ex to own his responsibility IE: Child support enforcement" "Apparently I came to state assistance office".
I left that office that day distraught and confused about the whole situation. It dawned on me, that is the very reason why I am sure half of the people that I laid eyes on in the office were there. Easy quick way for state assistance to prevail. Not this chic... I will go to the next step and I will take on another side job to fulfill my ex's responsibility.
Next blog will be about taking matters into my own hands and how DOR treated me about doing so.
Thanks for reading more to come.
Tiffiny
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