Google User

Review of The Community Advocate

Started trying to apply for energy assistance back...

Started trying to apply for energy assistance back in April. It is now about to be the first week of June. Was made to wait weeks for an appointment. Clarified with the worker EXACTLY what documents I would need to bring to the appointment in order to submit my application. Got there, was instantly told I don't have enough documents, and the documents I do have aren't needed, despite me bringing EXACTLY what I was told. Sent me away, said get more documents, then come back in person. You can't e-mail, fax, submit online, or mail your documents. I don't have access to transportation. It's very hard for me to get downtown. I told them it would be weeks before I am able to get back down there with the new round of documents. They assured me, as soon as you hand us those documents, we will add the benefit to your account, nothing further is needed. Come in anytime between 9A-5P, you don't need to speak with anyone, you will just drop off your documents at the front desk. Weeks later, a friend is able to give me a ride at 4 PM in rush hour traffic, I manage to make it in there within 10 minutes before closing. The lady says, oh no, you'll have to come back, we stop accepting documents in the early afternoon. I explained to her that wouldn't be possible for me, and that the previous worker said ANY time between 9A-5P. Oh, ok, she says, then I will leave them in the mailbox for the case worker. Why didn't she mention that there was a mailbox first time around, before I had to argue with her?! After I submit the documents, no benefits were applied to my account. I didn't hear anything. I called to check on the status..."oh we need more documents". "And you'll have to come back in person. After you submit these, then we can apply the benefit to your account right away." The documents they wanted this time are documents I already filled out! I said, I can't come back in for several weeks, it is so hard to get a ride downtown! They said, guess you can't have energy assistance then. We will mail you the documents to fill out anyway (previously, "mail isn't an option"), and if you get them back before the application deadline, we will apply the benefits to your account. My application deadline is in two days. The documents never showed up. This place is a complete waste of time for people in need, they do everything in their power to make access to help IMPOSSIBLE. You will NOT receive energy assistance if you come here, just a run around!