Mustard Catch Up

Recently, a representative from a local agency spoke with me recently about gaining assistance on paying my utility bill. Lucky for me, I had good timing: the agency only had enough to help two emergency cases for the month. I had to come in the next day and hope beyond hope that the woman's boss was in town that week to give the OK for the help.

"You are going to get through this," the very nice lady told me as I am beginning to wonder if I have "Pity Me" tattooed across my forehead. "I lost my job two years ago and I bounced back."

We talked for awhile, very little to do with my application for assistance. Since I lost a job, I qualify as long as the funds are there. Turns out my new acquaintance had experienced the same thing I was going through. While waiting for unemployment to begin, every applicant must wait a week for the department to research your claim. Fair enough. But you don't get paid for that week. And for those living paycheck to paycheck, it can be a slippery slope of catch up.

"I work for an agency and I can't hardly pay my light bill," she said. "I'm still trying to catch up from two years ago."

I can't help but have this nagging feeling on my mind. True, assistance groups like Goodwill and LIHEAP have seen massive increases. But do we as the needy ever get enough help? And are we looked at as lazy or greedy for needing? How much help is truly necessary?