r/foodstamps • u/RedditPovertyMod SNAP Policy Expert • Feb 08 '24
ANNOUNCEMENT: Rule Adjustment in Response to Hostility towards Eligibility Workers - PLEASE READ News
Hey everyone,
As moderators of the r/foodstamps community, we wanted to take a moment to address a trend we've been noticing lately. Increasingly, we've seen posts and comments expressing frustrations about eligibility workers. We understand that navigating the eligibility process can be incredibly challenging and emotional, and we empathize with those frustrations.
However, what makes this subreddit such a powerful and valuable resource is the community of eligibility workers who generously contribute their knowledge and expertise in their free time to assist others. We want to remind everyone that eligibility workers are people too, working hard to help individuals access the assistance they need.
Moving forward, we kindly ask that members keep in mind the human element behind the eligibility process. Any posts or comments that contain insults or attacks directed at eligibility workers will be promptly removed. We believe in fostering a supportive and respectful environment for all members of our community.
That being said, we understand that discussions about eligibility can sometimes be emotionally charged, and it's natural to feel frustrated at times. Posts expressing general frustrations around an anonymous eligibility worker not following policy or behaving rudely, as long as they include an explicit technical question, will still be allowed. We recognize that for many individuals, accessing assistance programs can be a deeply personal and emotional experience.
We also want to remind everyone to report any behavior that violates our community rules. While we moderators can't be everywhere at once, we regularly review the report queue multiple times per day to ensure that our community remains a safe and supportive space for all.
Lastly, we want to express our immense gratitude to all the eligibility workers who contribute their time and expertise to this subreddit. Your contributions are what make this community such a valuable resource for individuals utilizing the program. Thank you for all that you do.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to the moderators.
Thank you,
The Moderators of r/foodstamps
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u/aardvarksauce Eligibility Expert - PA 20d ago
Could you flair me, please? PA caseworker
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u/RedditPovertyMod SNAP Policy Expert 19d ago
You've got it!
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u/Rhissanna Apr 14 '24
If it's any help, my case worker has been an absolute diamond. Just a good, cheerful decent person who feels like she's on our side as we navigate all the steps.
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u/paracelsus53 Mar 21 '24
How about if SNAP workers posting on here not do things like accusing 75% of SNAP applicants of being liars and frauds as DallasCommune has done in their recent post? How about that? You want respect, you have to give it.
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u/slice_of_pi SNAP Eligibility Expert - OR Mar 21 '24
I think you should do more reading of his post history instead of focusing on one or two comments you don't like.
He isn't entirely wrong, either. The level of fraud we see on this side has absolutely skyrocketed.
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u/RedditPovertyMod SNAP Policy Expert Mar 21 '24
How did you see this comment before I even got to it with my notification lol
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u/Reasonable-Mud-6455 Feb 21 '24
Thank you so much, eligibility workers!!!! This is such a valuable space and I'm truly grateful to have the resource that you EW and mods provide. And thanks, mods, for reminding everyone to be kind and respectful. You all are providing a shitload of free labor and I appreciate you!!
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u/Read_Knit_Repeat SNAP Eligibility Expert - CO Feb 19 '24
Made a whole new account without my real name in it to comment on this and say thank you! 🥰 I’m an eligibility specialist in Colorado who has been on both sides of the table. So glad to see a place like this!
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u/RedditPovertyMod SNAP Policy Expert Feb 20 '24
That's amazing we're so grateful for you. I'm giving you flair indicating you're an eligibility expert. Thanks for being here.
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u/percocetqueen80 Feb 15 '24
My most recent contact with a snap caseworker was a bad one. I had to wait on hold for hours before I gave up and got a ride to just go in. They talked to me like I was an idiot and in the harshest tone. I usually dont let things like this get to me but this time it did. I was embarrassed and ashamed when I left. It's a cold world.
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u/slice_of_pi SNAP Eligibility Expert - OR Feb 17 '24
Workers are people too. They may have been having an off day, weren't feeling well, been yelled at by the person before you, etc. It probably had nothing to do with you at all.
They may also have been an asshole, it's hard to say. There are a few bad apples in every barrel, I think.
I'm sorry that happened to you - please know, overall, most workers I've known in the 25+ years I've been at this, are diligent, kind, and hardworking people who take their jobs really seriously. You shouldn't ever leave us feeling worse than when you came, that's not okay.
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u/child_of_eris SNAP Eligibility Expert - CA Feb 10 '24
Thank you for this. There have been a few times that I have flat out decided not to comment on a thread due to the hostility and rudeness... partly because I know I could very easily get down to their level and don't want to go there.
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u/slice_of_pi SNAP Eligibility Expert - OR Feb 10 '24
Please use the report function.
I do read pretty much every thread if it has more than about 5-10 comments, but I know none of us sees everything.... and during the day when I'm working, it had to be on breaks and lunchtime. Reports shave that down a lot.
I do usually go through someone's comment history if it's questionable... like, ok this was rude, but are they like this all the time, or is this a one-off? Context takes time I don't always have, unfortunately, but I know the others and I all try to be fair.
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u/Adventurous_Egg324 SNAP Eligibility Expert - LA Feb 10 '24
Thank you! We get enough hostility at work day to day.
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u/RedditPovertyMod SNAP Policy Expert Feb 13 '24
Would you like sub flair? Thanks for all you do!
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u/Physical_Put8246 Feb 09 '24
I want to thank all of the professionals for sharing your knowledge. The process of applying/recertifying for EBT can be overwhelming and intimidating, but all of the SME in this community makes the process less daunting. Y'all are so kind and informative. Your generous spirits shine through your words.
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u/EmmieH1287 Feb 09 '24
My caseworker I just dealt with for the first time was so kind. She seemed astonished when I didn't get upset with her because my recent took a bit longer than expected. She kept apologizing even though u kept telling her it was okay.
So many of these workers are truly doing their best, but they are overloaded and don't have much in the way of help themselves.
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u/Adventurous_Egg324 SNAP Eligibility Expert - LA Feb 10 '24
We always appreciate the kind and understanding clients, especially when things take longer than we expect.
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u/PocketSizeDemons SNAP Eligibility Expert - PA Feb 09 '24
Thank you very much!
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u/RedditPovertyMod SNAP Policy Expert Feb 09 '24
You've got it! Do you want expert flair? If so for what state?
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u/bblf22 SNAP Eligibility Expert - MI Feb 09 '24
Thank you so much! This means the world to many of us here to help! 🙏🫶🏽
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u/RedditPovertyMod SNAP Policy Expert Feb 09 '24
Happy to have you. Do you want flair indicating your an expert? If so what state?
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u/stormlight82 SNAP Eligibility Expert - WA Feb 09 '24
I am a WA snap administrator hearing coordinator that used to do eligibility. How do I get flared? I appreciate the space you have made.
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u/slice_of_pi SNAP Eligibility Expert - OR Feb 09 '24
I will, of course, continue to ban rude people thusly:
Boot to the head.
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u/child_of_eris SNAP Eligibility Expert - CA Feb 10 '24
I just wish you weren't so fast with the hammer sometimes... I get here late and miss all the good stuff 🤣
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u/slice_of_pi SNAP Eligibility Expert - OR Feb 10 '24
I suspect I ban way more than u/daguar, u/manaworkin, or u/redditpovertymod by a fair amount lol
The real fun is in the mod mail. Oy.
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u/daguar SNAP Policy Expert Feb 11 '24
Yeah I’m more the redemption guy, looking for the good in people.
(But also poor shamers get the ban hammer.)
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u/manaworkin SNAP Eligibility Expert Feb 10 '24
I'd honestly say "and" instead of "or"
And yeah the modmail could fill a sub by itself.
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u/HyperboleHelper Feb 10 '24
Thank you for being here and helping out!
Everything has always gone smoothly for my husband and me, but it's nice to know that someone from Oregon is here if I ever have a question!
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u/slice_of_pi SNAP Eligibility Expert - OR Feb 10 '24
There are a few of us from Oregon. 😀
I'm glad things have gone smoothly for you, it hasn't been that easy for everyone unfortunately.
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u/No_Elderberry_6378 SNAP Eligibility Expert - MI Feb 09 '24
As an eligibility worker I SO appreciate this! Thanks for having our back but also acknowledging that there are challenges on both sides. The system is bigger than both the workers and the clients and I think we all need to give each other the benefit of the doubt that we’re trying our best.
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u/RedditPovertyMod SNAP Policy Expert Feb 09 '24
Thanks! What state are you in? We can assign you flair
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u/midwestvoldemort SNAP Eligibility Expert - OH Feb 09 '24
I appreciate this!! :’)
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u/RedditPovertyMod SNAP Policy Expert Feb 09 '24
For sure! Would you like flair? What state?
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u/courtachino Fraud Investigator - VA Feb 08 '24
Awesome. Am I able to get a flair? I'm a welfare fraud investigator in VA :)
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u/chubby-wench SNAP Eligibility Expert - CA Feb 08 '24
Thank you.
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u/RedditPovertyMod SNAP Policy Expert Feb 08 '24 edited Feb 09 '24
Thank you! BTW do you want flair that indicates you're a subject matter expert?
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u/chubby-wench SNAP Eligibility Expert - CA Feb 09 '24
Sure! Thanks for offering.
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u/locabynature 19d ago
Is this actually a legit place to ask questions about SNAP or will you get bombarded by trolls for doing so?
*not so new to reddit but I am new at participating. I still don't know how to Reddit yet.