I’m up to my eye balls in forms right now. No, I’m not buying a truck or signing on to be a lease operator or applying for oversized load permits – much worse – I’m trying to deal with the bureaucracy of “our” government. When people fear a national health care plan, what I’m experiencing is what puts them over the edge. You might complain about the present health care system, but as much as we need a change, the alternative could be far worse.
In order to help more people, the better aspects of the system could get royally screwed up for the rest. With this current deficit mess, you had Representatives and Senators standing there saying, “Sure we’ll sign this new bill – we don’t like it – there could be better – but we have no choice right now. Well, isn’t that a fine state of affairs. To make matters worse, Congress goes on vacation (“break”) and leaves thousands of FAA workers and contractors out of work. The President says they should come back. Don’t they know that? All of this, I guarantee you, are shades of things to come with the new healthcare reform plan – aka Obama-care.
A few things stand out for me. The first thing is how many times I’m asked my race. Not so much if I’m African-American, but if I’m Latin or Kreyol. I didn’t even know what Kreyol is. That’s Haitian. You have three choices before you begin most application processes – English, Spanish or Haitian. That’s in Florida. I don’t what’s offered in other States. But, what’s with the race thing? Why is it anybody’s business? What is it “our” governments business? I’m White – Caucasian – so what? If I was Black, I would be asking the same question – what does it matter? Why do “they” need to know?
Then, I’m asked over and over, if I can read and understand English. Not just one question, but five. Do I speak some English or a little? Can I read or write English? Do I need assistance from someone if I don’t. An “interpreter” will be provided, if necessary, free of charge. Do I “you” understand what is being asked? Can you write your name in English?
I love this statement – if you cannot speak or understand English, what language do you prefer? Then you’re asked – choose everyone that is fleeing the law due to a felony or probation or parole violation. Choose everyone that has been convicted of a drug trafficking felony. Have you ever been a migrant worker or worked in the fields? Have you ever received benefits under the TTW, PASS, IEP or SSI programs? I’m a college graduate, some questions mystify me.
Mind you, I began this “research” about a week ago and already have a stack of papers, more forms and follow-ups about five inches high. All of this is flowing to me via the postal service under the “requirements” of 44 U.S.C. 3507 – as amended by section 2 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. That was one letter. The next told me that I do not need to answer these questions unless “we” display a valid Office of Management and Budget control number. Another letter said that “they” estimate that it will take about 60 minutes to read the instructions, gather the facts, and answer the questions. I don’t think so – more like 3 hours!
I already mentioned a post or two ago, about what it is like dealing with Oklahoma unemployment. The Social Security Administration seems way more on top of things, but the jury is still out on Florida’s Department of Children and Families for food stamps. There questions were even more intrusive. For the record, on some other applications, you can chose the “I prefer not to answer” option when asked about your race, but not when it comes to the government handing out benefits or entitlements. I have no clue if I was in fact, Latino, whether or not I would get any better or faster results. But then wouldn’t that be a prejudiced question – but it’s OK to ask if I’m White?
Lastly, know this. There is a huge crack in all this. If you’re a driver, injured OTR or had some type of surgery that prevents you from working, specifically short-term – let’s say a year – you file for SSDI – Social Security Disability Income. That could take 3-5 months – or longer than a year in some cases – to be approved for benefits. I’m told most applications are automatically denied. That’s why SSDI attorney’s drive Bentley’s. You need a lawyer to navigate you through the system and for a percentage, can might eventually get paid. But what to do while you’re waiting?
Unemployment. Perhaps. It depends. Social Security does not have a direct interface with the State’s employment security commissions. If you are filing for SSDI, you are stating that you have been unable to perform substantial work activity for twelve months or that you “anticipate” that you will be unable to perform substantial work activity for twelve months due to a mental and/or physical impairment. When filing for unemployment you are stating that you are ready and available to perform full time work should you be able to find a job that fits your work skills. To get approved, it could take 3-5 weeks.
Meanwhile, you have bills to pay, food too buy and a mortgage. You’re SDI – short term disability – has run out. What you’re left with is nothing but forms, forms and more forms. Unless, you have a plump savings account, it going to be real rough waters. This is how “your” government works. When you’re disabled, out of work or injured – and hungry – and told you need to wait 3-5 weeks or 3-5 months, well, need I say more? Oh, and let’s not forget, you have no health insurance.
*** For those you who have trouble with English, I do have this post available in Spanish for you. Sorry, I don’t do Haitian.
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Let me move forward with what I was writing about a post ago. You’ve been injured on the road. And frankly, this applies to any job, not just trucking. I do find it interesting, however, that when I’ve been in the many doctors offices that specialize in heart and joint issues, I meet a proportionately greater amount of truck drivers, than I do, let’s say salesman or lawyers.
Do I need to remind you that a forklift is one of the most dangerous “machines” on the planet? The people that operate them safely, are in the minority. Remember, I told you that you can go into a T/A and get a DOT medical card “kit”, sign it and you’re good to go. Well, it’s even easier to be a “certified” forklift operator. I can “grant” you that “status” in a about five minutes after I printout one of twenty phony certifications available on line. Add a cell phone into the mix and that Toyota lift becomes a Indy racer that can kill you. Listen, a forklift coming off a 53 ft. box with a high heavy pallet – if one of those solid wheels runs over your foot, you could be crippled for life. In happens thousands of times a day, in thousands of DC’s (distribution centers) and warehouses around the nation. 
OK, something has happened to you and you can’t drive a truck. Maybe it’s temporary, maybe it’s permanent. You were smart and signed up for STD – short term disability and have been receiving a check every week. That should go on for about 12 weeks. If you work for a Fortune 500 corporate or are under a union agreement, you might just have more time and the benefits will continue. Figure the STD check will be about 65% of what you used to earn weekly OTR. It all depends on what your company benefits manager has negotiated with the insurance people. But know that there are many trucking company that do not offer STD and if that is the case, you might have to get it on your own or be screwed.