2 hours, 28 minutes and counting....

Things being somewhat dire, I applied online for food stamps a couple weeks ago.

Yesterday I got a letter telling me I needed to call them for a phone interview. I couldn't get through then, so I was up and pounding the keys at 8 sharp this morning.

At approximately 8:00:37, I got through...to their hold system.

I'm still holding. Only the thought of running out of some vital ingredient that will magically enhance beans, rice and eggs compels me to stay on the line.

Good thing I'm not trying to do this on my prepaid, I'd've run out of minutes by 9.

I have to wonder how many people they actually have manning their phones. Not enough, clearly. Which, considering this is the governemnt, is stoopid (but I repeat myself); they need to open a couple more call centers. That way, they would have more help,AND they could put people like me to work. Not only would we not be on unemployment, we might not even need food stamps. Whoa, radical concept!

One of these days, I have *got* to get a cordless phone.

.

2 hours, 28 minutes and counting....

Things being somewhat dire, I applied online for food stamps a couple weeks ago.

Yesterday I got a letter telling me I needed to call them for a phone interview. I couldn't get through then, so I was up and pounding the keys at 8 sharp this morning.

At approximately 8:00:37, I got through...to their hold system.

I'm still holding. Only the thought of running out of some vital ingredient that will magically enhance beans, rice and eggs compels me to stay on the line.

Good thing I'm not trying to do this on my prepaid, I'd've run out of minutes by 9.

I have to wonder how many people they actually have manning their phones. Not enough, clearly. Which, considering this is the governemnt, is stoopid (but I repeat myself); they need to open a couple more call centers. That way, they would have more help,AND they could put people like me to work. Not only would we not be on unemployment, we might not even need food stamps. Whoa, radical concept!

One of these days, I have *got* to get a cordless phone.

.

Hold everything

I was on hold for SIX HOURS, THIRTY-FOUR MINUTES when they cut me off. And then, of course, the damn line was busy. WTF, people? In what universe is this remotely adequate customer service?!

The upside being, I had a phone interview scheduled for between 2 and 4, so I didn't miss that as I'd been stressed that I would. I have an actual in-person interview tomorrow at 3...it's only a part-time minimum-wage thing, but at this point, it's better than nothing.

I also got an email from BigRed, who sent me info on a CSR position with the county, which closes today. I scrambled and got out a resume rewrite and a cover letter. Fingers crossed, y'all, because it's full time and $12+ an hour.

I may have to make a WalMart run. I want ice cream.



0=0=0=0=0

ETA --- HA! Got through again at 4:45. Stayed on the line, figuring it would cut me off at 5, but in fact a CSR came on the line at 5:15 and did the intervivew. I was tired enough not to make any snarktastic remarks. According to him, I ought to qualify, and should hear definitively within 30 days.

..

Hold everything

I was on hold for SIX HOURS, THIRTY-FOUR MINUTES when they cut me off. And then, of course, the damn line was busy. WTF, people? In what universe is this remotely adequate customer service?!

The upside being, I had a phone interview scheduled for between 2 and 4, so I didn't miss that as I'd been stressed that I would. I have an actual in-person interview tomorrow at 3...it's only a part-time minimum-wage thing, but at this point, it's better than nothing.

I also got an email from BigRed, who sent me info on a CSR position with the county, which closes today. I scrambled and got out a resume rewrite and a cover letter. Fingers crossed, y'all, because it's full time and $12+ an hour.

I may have to make a WalMart run. I want ice cream.



0=0=0=0=0

ETA --- HA! Got through again at 4:45. Stayed on the line, figuring it would cut me off at 5, but in fact a CSR came on the line at 5:15 and did the intervivew. I was tired enough not to make any snarktastic remarks. According to him, I ought to qualify, and should hear definitively within 30 days.

..