Lone Star Card too Easy to Get

 Jacob Tucker, feature editor

In my last article, I promised the readers that I would go and apply for the Lone Star card.  Being a man of my word, I held up my end of the bargain. 

I went down to the Department of Human Services in Levelland and filled out an application for the Lone Star card.  I was surprised to see that I was approved and given one of those little pieces of plastic. 

The application is separated into two parts.  Part ‘A’ is entitled “Information That You Need to Know.”  It basically covers information that the applicant will be asked during Part ‘B’ of the application process.  Part ‘A’ also covers the rights and responsibilities of the applicant if he or she receives financial assistance. 

The application clearly states the repercussions for abusing the aid received.  A violator could be fined up to $250,000 and/or receive up to 20 years of jail time.  These are just a few of the many consequences that one can face for abusing financial aid.

The only thing that I find wrong with Part ‘A’ of the application process is the signature page.  All of the information that is important to obtaining and the consequences for abusing food stamps are behind this page.  Many of the applicants who sign this page are ready for Part ‘B.’  They skip over the important stuff so they can get out of the office as quickly as they can.

I was guilty of this while I filled out Part ‘A.’  I assumed that everything that was important was listed above your signature.  The only thing that is there is a section titled ‘Important Information for Immigrants,’ and a short sentence that briefly mentions the information following the signature.

I think that the signature page should follow all of the important information, such as your rights and responsibilities as an applicant.  This will make many of the new applicants aware of the dangers of abusing the aid that they receive.

 After I slowly read the page and got acquainted with the fine print, a woman rushed up to the receptionist’s counter from her car.  She held a handful of the same blue and white forms that I was filling out on the table in front of me.  She began to talk to the receptionist, who she clearly knew, and gave her the applications.  By the way that they spoke to each other, it was clear that the woman had come into the office earlier in the day.

The woman stated whom the applications were for.  I listened intently to what she had to say.  I stifled a gasp from my mouth when she listed five separate people, her mother and father, herself, her 19-year-old sister, and one other person.

How can someone fill out so many applications for aid in one day?  I later learned that it was very possible to do this.

After the woman exited the office, I continued with the process of filling out my own application.  Now it was time for Part ‘B’ of the process.

Part ‘B’ is titled ‘Information We Need to Know.’  This part of the application requires the applicant to give more personal information in order to obtain aid.

It begins with asking the applicant what area for which they need assistance.  I checked the food stamp box, and proceeded to follow the instructions.  The application then stated that I was to answer the questions labeled only with a plate. 

I turn the page over and I see that I have to give my mailing address, again, along with my name and phone number.  Just below that, I saw a list that asked me to put how many people lived in my household who would need assistance.  My own blank was followed by eight or nine more blanks for possible family members.

This option that I just mentioned is quite possibly one of the easiest things to lie about.  There are a few dishonest people in the world who would list as many of their relatives on the application as they could.  These relatives could live with them for as short as a week, and they will continue to place them on the list. 

A way that this could be refined is the possible verification of the applicant’s home.  Caseworkers could visit the home and determine who lives there and evaluate the situation.

I was then asked how much money I had.  It did not just include me, but the total income of the occupants of my home.  This can also be exaggerated to show the caseworker that they are very poor and disadvantaged. 

Applicants must then list all of their income, including paychecks, school grants and loans, child support, etc.  I took one glance and realized that this would also be easy to get around.  The applicant could simply not list anything, but that would be the dishonest thing to do.  No one would do that, or would they?

Then I was asked what my monthly expenses are, and other simple questions that seemed monotonous. 

Then came the final questions.  They asked if I, or anyone in my household, was fleeing from the law.  Who in their right mind would confess to a question like that? 

I was then asked if I had a felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance.  This is to prevent anyone who has a previous drug history from obtaining the aid. 

I wrapped-up Part ‘B’ by signing a document that confirmed that I did not lie on the application, and if I did, I would be prosecuted.

I took my application and gave it to the receptionist, and she informed me that I would get a letter in the mail stating that I would have a personal interview with a caseworker.  I said “thank you” and left the building.

The next day I had a letter stating that my appointment was the next week.  Time passed, and I visited my caseworker at exactly the time I was supposed to.  She basically reviewed what I had written on the application and looked at copies of paycheck stubs and utility bills.  She then lead me up to the front, scanned my fingers, and took my picture to confirm my ID. 

Then, I came to the moment that I had been anticipating for weeks.  I received my Lone Star card.  My caseworker gave me the instructions to get it activated.

Immediately, as I walked out the door, a sense of guilt came over me.  I later went back to the building and cancelled my card.  I achieved what I had set out to do to obtain a Lone Star card.  Needless to say, I got an “education” in applying for a Lone Star card.

If I can do it, I am sure many others have no trouble filling out and obtaining their card.  For the future, I would like to see a harder application process and a stricter interview. 

With these two things strengthened, it will “weed out”  many of the undeserving people, and put our tax money into hands that need the aid much more.