Seizures on the Street
*Please note that names are kept anonymous and only initials are used to protect the privacy of the courageous human that was willing to share their story with the world.
It was 7:30 A.M., and the line was out the door.
It seemed as though these people had already been waiting outside hours before the official opening. I overheard some people talking in line, saying they had gotten there at 6:00 A.M. to try to be one of the first ones.
No, I was not standing in a Black Friday line in front of Best Buy or Walmart. I was in line at the Department of Human Services building in Washington D.C.
At the time, I worked as a Community Advocate and Case Manager for a nonprofit organization in Washington D.C. that provides mental health services to some of the most vulnerable citizens in the city. My particular role focused on advocating for the rights of the homeless population. At this specific agency, we referred to the individuals we served as “consumers,” and I will continue to use that language for the purposes of this article.
As the automatic doors slid open at 7:30 A.M., the line of people began making their way in. I couldn’t believe how many people were already waiting at such an early hour in the morning. This was my first time coming to DHS with a consumer. Of course, growing up in poverty myself, I made many visits as a child. However, it was only then that I began to truly understand the injustices in this bittersweet world.
Things I noticed:
- An overwhelming difference between men and women — more women than men
- People of color — majority Black and Hispanic
- Kids — why weren’t they in school?
- Lots of infants
- Frustrated people
- Tired people
During this experience, I had learned so much about the gaps in our social service agencies and welfare systems. When mainstream politicians claim to understand the systemic issues impoverished citizens face, please ask them how many times they didn’t know where their next meal would come from.
We were at the 645 H Street Service Center, one of the five DHS service centers located in Washington D.C.
These service centers tend to be a hot spot for low-income individuals and families and typically have 2–6 hour wait times depending on the type of service one is seeking. Some of the services provided at these centers include Food Stamps, Medicaid, and Temporary Cash Assistance (TANF).
Once we got past security, C.O and I headed upstairs, where we were given a ticket with a number on it. I don’t remember much from my childhood visits here, but I will never forget the wait times.
After we received our number, I turned to the seating area, and I was shocked. It was only 7:45 A.M., and almost every single seat was filled. I woke up at 5:00 A.M. to get here before the doors opened, and I was still late.
I didn’t count, but I’m positive there were, without a doubt, at least 150 people already there and more trickling in.
I paused for a second and skimmed the room. I could not spot even one person who presented as white or caucasian. I know I shouldn’t have been surprised, but seeing it in person was quite shocking.
C.O. and I struggled to find a seat, and once we did, it was a longspun, painful, waiting game. After nearly an hour and a half, we were finally called up to the desk. I recognized only three representatives working. I was told this was actually normal, and it wasn’t due to a staffing concern that day. Three representatives serving hundreds of fatigued and stressed human beings — the perfect combination for a thriving, happy community.
It was absolutely dreadful.
We spoke to the man at the desk and explained that C.O. was there to apply for food stamps and Medicaid. The man turned around behind him, grabbed two thick packets from a tall stack, turned back to us, and said, “He’ll need to fill these out. Go ahead and have a seat, and we’ll call you back up once you’re finished.”
So we sat…again.
Why wasn’t there a system that ensured these forms could be completed while people are sitting relentlessly in the waiting room for hours? Unlike the Midas touch — it seems everything the government touches turn inefficient. I stared at the packets, and I couldn’t believe how much paperwork they expected people to do. I mean, even for me, the number of papers and information required was overwhelming. I couldn’t imagine what it appeared like for someone who maybe didn’t speak English, had mental health issues, didn’t receive an adequate education, etc. Many, not all, but many of the people going to these centers fit those descriptions mentioned. When working with vulnerable, at-risk individuals, it’s important to note and understand that many of them are already feeling negative emotions due to feeling betrayal from the system, lack of trust for government officials, and generally receiving inadequate treatment from others. So when they allow themselves to be vulnerable enough to come to a welfare agency and you throw stacks of papers in front of them for them to receive benefits essential to their survival, it’s a massive slap in the face to them.
Here’s what C.O. said to me before we parted ways that day,
“I would’ve left today without filling out those papers if you hadn’t come here with me today. Thank you. It’s too much, you know? Like I’m going through so much already, I don’t have the patience to sit through a whole exam first thing in the morning. You know, it’s crazy, the government is supposed to be helping folks like us, but it just feels like they’re constantly trying to make things harder for us. I have two sons, and I worry about their survival every day. All these politicians on the news act like they are trying to help, but it’s all just a game. D.C. should actually stand for “Don’t Care” because that’s how they truly feel about people like us — they don’t care.”
After a total of four and half hours, C.O. and I had finally left the service center. Since he was a homeless individual, he qualified for expedited food stamps, and we were told his application would be processed within seven business days. As for his Medicaid, they mentioned it would take 30–45 days for his application to be processed (inefficiency — remember?). C.O. has a serious health condition where he suffers from frequently experienced seizures. Since he is homeless, he typically experiences the seizures while outside on the streets. This was mentioned to the service worker, and yet, the best answer we received was “30–45 days.” Many people, including C.O., are suffering from life-threatening conditions and are being told to wait a month or more to receive basic healthcare. When our government fails to take care of adults and their well-being, those adults often end up with no choice or energy but to neglect their responsibilities. They cannot get themselves on their feet, let alone get their children to a stable place in life.
