I have been drawing SSDI since July 2003. I received a Ticket To Work shortly after my SSDI payments started went through TN Dept of Human Services Dept of Vocational Rehabilitation. I went through a 13 week course to study for my State of TN Debt Collectors license. Which I received in Jan 2004. For a while I worked in a small office for the law firm I currently working for until the moved me to my home. I work from home 6 days a week Monday/Thursday 8:00 AM-2:00PM & then from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, Fridays 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM & Saturdays from 8:00am to 2:00 PM. I am only paid by commission, if a debtor doesn't pay their bill, I don't get paid. I work my ass off for my employer but I can't seem to get anyone to make a direct payment to me or if they make a payment arrangement they don't honor the agreement. When I call to remind debtors of the balance due I get cussed out, screamed at or they just hang up on me. I have been told by several debtors that I am the nicest debtor collector they have ever had call them. I think my 'southern accent' works against me when I try to collect. I reopened my case with TN Voc Rehab in March of 2006. My case work promised me that she would find me a job that would pay me a hourly wage. I'm still waiting for that job. My case worker does not return my phone calls. I call her 3 times a week & I never get a response. I am seriously considering writing my state & federal elected congressman, the governor & the director of Vocational Rehabilitation about the lack of service I have received since reopening my voc rehab case. I feel like they put me off because I am living with AIDS. I want to work, earn my keep & get off disability. My local ASO is having a benefits Seminar on Aug 10th. This is through West TN Legal Services. I am going to discuss this matter with my case worker & see if they can help me get some action done on my behalf. Maybe they have a job placement program they can help me with, but as far as I know they don't. Sorry for the rant, but this has been going on for a long time & I'm really starting to get tired of the whole mess. Any advice or input that someone can chime in with would be greatly appreciated.
Dan
AustinWesley:
--- Quote from: Dan J. on July 27, 2007, 04:34:26 pm ---OK here goes...
I have been drawing SSDI since July 2003. I received a Ticket To Work shortly after my SSDI payments started went through TN Dept of Human Services Dept of Vocational Rehabilitation. I went through a 13 week course to study for my State of TN Debt Collectors license. Which I received in Jan 2004. For a while I worked in a small office for the law firm I currently working for until the moved me to my home. I work from home 6 days a week Monday/Thursday 8:00 AM-2:00PM & then from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, Fridays 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM & Saturdays from 8:00am to 2:00 PM. I am only paid by commission, if a debtor doesn't pay their bill, I don't get paid. I work my ass off for my employer but I can't seem to get anyone to make a direct payment to me or if they make a payment arrangement they don't honor the agreement. When I call to remind debtors of the balance due I get cussed out, screamed at or they just hang up on me. I have been told by several debtors that I am the nicest debtor collector they have ever had call them. I think my 'southern accent' works against me when I try to collect. I reopened my case with TN Voc Rehab in March of 2006. My case work promised me that she would find me a job that would pay me a hourly wage. I'm still waiting for that job. My case worker does not return my phone calls. I call her 3 times a week & I never get a response. I am seriously considering writing my state & federal elected congressman, the governor & the director of Vocational Rehabilitation about the lack of service I have received since reopening my voc rehab case. I feel like they put me off because I am living with AIDS. I want to work, earn my keep & get off disability. My local ASO is having a benefits Seminar on Aug 10th. This is through West TN Legal Services. I am going to discuss this matter with my case worker & see if they can help me get some action done on my behalf. Maybe they have a job placement program they can help me with, but as far as I know they don't. Sorry for the rant, but this has been going on for a long time & I'm really starting to get tired of the whole mess. Any advice or input that someone can chime in with would be greatly appreciated.
Dan
--- End quote ---
Hey Dan,
I don't want to sound harsh, but finding you a job is your responsibility not your case managers and I see NO benefit in complaining. You may potentially burn bridges for your future!
It's great that you took a chance and tried this career approach, but if it's not working then try something else.
People can help you, but you have to work at helping yourself too.
Good luck to you!
Wesley
Dachshund:
My friend Michael who has been poz for twenty years and on disabilty decided he was bored and wanted to work. He did use the services provided to finally complete his last two years of college. After that he went out and applied for jobs on his own...his only real requirement was health insurance with no pre-existing clause. It took about eight months but he finally landed a computer geek job with FedEx and couldn't be happier.
I thought I remember you posting about a job they offered you through this program last year. Whatever happened there? Maybe it is still available? Good luck.
Dan J.:
--- Quote from: AustinWesley on July 27, 2007, 05:43:42 pm ---Hey Dan,
I don't want to sound harsh, but finding you a job is your responsibility not your case managers and I see NO benefit in complaining. You may potentially burn bridges for your future!
It's great that you took a chance and tried this career approach, but if it's not working then try something else.
People can help you, but you have to work at helping yourself too.
Good luck to you!
Wesley
--- End quote ---
It is the job of the case manager with Vocational Rehab to help me find suitable emplyment. She has done NOTHING for me since I reopened my Voc Rehab case. They brush me off because I have the stigma of AIDS attached to myself. I wanted to go back to school & become a medical lab Technician but my Voc Rehab counsilors supervisor told me I couldn't do that because i'm HIV + She wanted to provide her with somesort of proof that HIV+ people can work in a medical setting. I told her I personally know HIV+ nurses that are still working in thir chosen profession. She didn't believe me.
Hal, I took the job @ the bank but at the time they wanted me to go FULL time but I wasn't ready to give up SSDI/Medicare. Now I am ready, willing and able to have a real job with real benefits again.
RapidRod:
Dan, it would be nice to be able to get a job. It's just nothing I can do in my situation and it's beyond my control. I hope things work out for you.