I feel like a piece of dirt - My pride was bruised tonight...long

NEWMOM05 wrote: I have never leaned on the govt in all my life and recently had to sign up for Wic this last month was my first month. I picked my 3 stores to go to. Albertson's being the closest to my house. Tonight at 11:40pm I realize that my benefits end today. First, I have to check my balance on their machine and it says invalid. Okay, so I start to panic a bit. II tell this lady that something is wrong with this machine and ask to use one of the register ones. Rudely, she says that ithey all are going to say the samething and if I am invalid then I am invalid. I use the other machine and it works fine. So I politley tell her so they know for future that the first one was broken.

So I go and get my stuff using this little piece of paper that gives me my specifics. I try to follow them to a tee, but they are very bland. I go up to the register and the cashier says this peanut butter and cheese are wrong. Rudly he says that they are supposed to give you people classes on this stuff, sdo this doesn't happen. Well, they didn't. So I get the other stuff and set it aside and go back and try to get the right pb and cheese. I spend 10 minutes making sure that Everything is followed to a tee and that I didn't go above my limits and brands and all that. So I hesitantly go back up there. BTW it's the only register open and there is a pretty good sized line in front of me and quickly filling up behind me. Of course, it's the wrong kind and he says verysarcastic It's not the right one, You got the wrong one. I say that I followed all the specifics and he says it doesn't matter in areally mean tone. They don't tell me what the right one was or point me in the right direction or anything. My eyes welled up with tears and I was crying before He handed me the receipt for the pb which was right. I felt like suck a piece of trash, like he was judging me, like he thought I mooch off the govt and I'm poor and low class and all that. Maybe I read too much into that, but I hate feeling like an idiot and then the derogatory statements they made and the way they said them just made me feel lower than low. KWIM??? So I had to get this vent out before I can go to sleep. It's almost 1 am.

I am just too darn sensitive for my own good.

aspenblue1 replied: I am so sorry. People can be so rude.

gr33n3y3z replied: yeah ppl. can be rude and why is that jerk still working is beyond me
I would have just said if you dont like your job then leave lol but dont take it out on me
I wish I were in line behind you bc I would have lit into him thats for sure.
I find that Albertson's / Acme is the worst stores to shop at they are rude and very over pricedI only go there to run in and get a few things.
Sorry that he made you feel that way

ediep replied: don't let the cashier at a grocery store make you feel bad, you are entitled to get those things...... if that ever happend again you should be firm and say "well, you need to find someone to get me the right one" ITS THEIR JOB!!!!

My3LilMonkeys replied: I'm so sorry you had that problem sweetie....I was on WIC with both of my girls and it was a lifesaver! The store I went to always treated me with respect, had a huge sign by the entrance showing what was allowed, etc. One time I accidentally got the wrong size eggs and the clerk went back and got the right ones for me.

Maybe you should consider switching stores?

amynicole21 replied: Wow, I would really consider writing a letter to the Albertson's main office. That behavior is completely unacceptable If not the main office, write one to the manager of the store. Something needs to be said about this.

I'm so sorry you were made to feel badly. Especially by a cashier at a grocery store who probably still lives with his mother.

boyohboyohboy replied: I am so sorry you were made to feel that way. I once had to use the WICC checks too, no I worded that wrong, I once wanted to use those checks, its what kept me and my son healthy when we were on our own.
There is no reason to feel ashamed, you paid for those checks when you paid your taxes, just use that money now.
do you think you might call back in and talk to the manager and tell him how that person made you feel. I am sure its not the entire store that feels that way. that man shouldnt be allowed to get away with it. its not like he has a high profile job either!

amymom replied: Also report him to the manager. The store gets their money you are still a customer no matter who is paying for the food. I would write a short note to the manager and enclose your receipt #'s they will then know which clerk it was.

AND please do not feel bad for accepting help when you need it. If only we all could be so brave.

mammag replied: I agree, I would definitely be calling or writing to the manager. That is unacceptable to treat your customers that way. Who is he to be making people feel like that?

C&K*s Mommie replied: How dare either (or anyone for that matter) of those cashiers make you feel like a second class citizen for being on WIC. Here, in NW Florida, it is strongly encouraged by the DCF. Secondly, it takes some time to become acclimated to reading the back of the checks. I was on it with our first child, eventually I felt like a pro, and not once was I ashamed. They are there for your benefit, & as mentioned your taxes help to fund it. Lastly, with that attitude of theirs when/if they even bear children & are still working at a grocery store trying to make ends meet, if they ever have to go down to their local DCF/Health Dept to apply I only hope that they can leave their sorry pride at the door! Not to be the judge of anyone, but I am sure they are not sitting on piles of money while they are on their high & mighty thrones while working at Albertsons. How dare they make you feel that way! A call & a letter would be in order for the store manager (also a visit in person by me), district manager, and head honchos of that chain just because I could be just as ugly.

be strong. keep your head up! You are not an unworthy second class citizen.

3xsthefun replied: Some people can be rude. Don't let him make you feel bad.

luvbug00 replied: Just give me the store # so I can call a rip them a new one!!!

How horribly rude! I'm so sorry you had to deal with the ignorace of thease people. You are a wonderful person and you have every right to use the services that are provided to you with NO SHAME! Many

mckayleesmom replied: Sorry that happened to you sweety....Some people just have the notion that they are better then everyone else....

na81 replied: I am sorry you had to deal with people like that!! There is no shame in having WIC! I am on it too, and it helps a great deal! I would definately call and talk to a manager or someone higher up!!!

b&bsmom replied: Sometimes I don't understand what people are thinking when they are rude like that. Sorry he made you feel upset. Don't worry about it

Bee_Kay replied: OMG!!! I am so friggin mad FOR you!!

Don't people realize that WIC is NOT welfare???? It's not their @#$%^&* business anyways.

I would definately make a complaint!!! Not doubt that is EXACTLY what I would do.

WIC is STRONGLY encouraged here!!!

I am so sorry that this happened to you. My SD recently applied and got WIC (although I am not thrilled about WHY she is getting her... it is benefitting her BF rather than her).

The vouchers are VERY specific to brands and sizes. I'd call, or go there, and make a complaint.

C&K*s Mommie replied: I am a little confused about the checking the balance, when I had it, the vouchers did not have a specific limit. There was no way to know any balance. The cashiers would write the total amount down on the at the end of the transaction. There were limits to the # of items you could buy, and what brands/sizes you could buy, as Barb mentioned. It took some time to get used to it, but in the meantime walk proudly & don't feel bad. Like Barb mentioned also it is NOT welfare. You are not looking for handouts. It is open for everyone, and you should not feel ashamed.

Bee_Kay replied: Although there are income guidelines to be eligible to recieve WIC.... (c/p below), I'd think that MOST people (families) in the US qualify and it is NOTHING to be ashamed of!!!

Family Size / Yearly Income

1 - $17,705

2 - $23,736

3 - $29,767

4 - $35,798

5 - $41,829

6 - $47,860

7 - $53,891

8 - $59,922

Each Additional Family Member add $6,031

AlexsPajamaMama replied: WIC is def. a lifesaver and my OBGYN encouraged me get WIC. Alex was formula fed so WIC was a huge help.
You need to contact the manager of that store about that cashier! Seriously!
It is a huge pain for the cashiers Im sure to have to ring in WIC stuff and all that but hello its their job and they are not supposed to judge people for what they buy or how they buy it!!
Don't feel like dirt hun

~Roo'sMama~ replied:
I agree - I'm on WIC and no one has ever treated me rudely, even when I've gotten the wrong thing they've just politely told me and I've gone and switched it. I would call and talk to the manager and tell him you won't be shopping there anymore, and find a different store.

Did the WIC people give you the booklet thing that shows you what you can get? It took me a while to figure it out too. They are a little picky but it's ok once you get used to it.

coasterqueen replied:

kayla's mama replied: OMg Peggy, worry you had to go through that
I would def. call the main office or consumer affairs. I believe each store has their own consumer affairs personel. They actually get the managers involved and are made to take action with a follow up with the consumer and the employee, hope that makes sense. Basically what I'm saying is the consumer affairs gets after the management team as well as the employee and they ride the employee's butt for a while to make sure things have straightened up.....I only know this because Jason is in the grocery business and has had them called on him before.

Bee_Kay replied: Another thing..... (OMG this has me livid this morning)

Who the h*ll is that cashier to judge anyone???? I am quite certain that he isn't living in the lap of luxury!!!
I have been blessed as we have a comfortable income.... BUT, we are both well aware that, at any time, for MANY reasons, that income could be gone in an instant......

The way that cashier treated you could darn well come back and bite him in the @$$ someday.... what comes around, goes around.

How freakin hard could it have been, FOR HIM, to KINDLY ask someone to help you out (since he was too busy )????

I used to work at a pharmacy/grocery/cosmetic type store a couple years ago, and there were MANY times ladies would come in and needed help with their WIC vouchers and I didn't hesitate to help them find what was specified on their vouchers.

MyLuvBugs replied: OMG! I'm so in that same situation to my heart goes out to you sweetie.

I too had to suck up my pride and go apply for WIC and Medicaid in the last few months, and your right....some of the people in the stores give attitude like NONE OTHER. But ya NEED to ask for a manager in a situation like that. I know it's tough, and that you were in tears (I probably would be too ) but they DO NOT have the right to treat you like that. Call your social worker at the WIC office and tell them what happened to you last night, and see if they can offer any advice.

I don't know about your WIC program, but the one here in Neb. does make you sit and watch a VERY boring movie on "how to act at the store" and they force you to take "nutrition" courses. So, you might want to look into your program more and see if they have anything else like courses or a movie or something to help ya.

One of the other moms mentioned that WIC is NOT welfare, and she was right. DO NOT feel like you are dirt b/c you signed up for WIC. WIC is supposed to be there for most any woman/child as a nutrition suppliment program, NOT money. Just be strong sweetie and stand up for yourself, ok?

Bee_Kay replied: Another thing.... (and another and another LOL)

It's not like WIC is offering lobster, caviar, and steak

WIC foods include iron-fortified infant formula and infant cereal, iron-fortified adult cereal, vitamin C-rich fruit and/or vegetable juice, eggs, milk, cheese, peanut butter, dried beans or peas, tuna fish and carrots. Special infant formulas and certain medical foods may be provided when prescribed by a physician or health professional for a specified medical condition.

Don't these narrow-minded people plainly see that what is offered is basic nutritional essentials to a baby's health!!

The way I see it (and I'll do my best to explain).....

Pregnant women consume the things, but it is DIRECTLY for the unborn childs development.
Breastfeeding moms also consume it.... but it is DIRECTLY for the health benefit of the baby.

If you are not breastfeeding, then the child gets a certain amount of formula until a certain age when they can eat food and drink milk/juice.

WIC is not for the mothers, but for the children and I just HATE HATE HATE that mothers in this country are made to feel ashamed for getting their childs nutritional needs met!!

redchief replied: I'm with happymom. Post the store number so we can descend upon Albertsons with all the fury of ticked off parents, all trying to make ends meet every day.

MyLuvBugs replied:
It actually is for women infants and children. So it is for the moms to a point. But I get what you're saying.

Bee_Kay replied:
Yep, I understand..... I had a hard time explaining what I meant....

What I mean was..... WIC is to benefit children/babies..... moms benefit (sort of) indirectly....

Meaning.... If you, as a mom, aren't breastfeeding, you only get formula (nothing to benefit your health).

Does that make sense??

coasterqueen replied:
I might get flamed here or start something I shouldn't but I think people see WIC as welfare is because other mothers meet their children's nutritional needs without the help of the government.

I am not posting this to make ANYONE feel bad for being on WIC, but I see it as help from the government, not just meeting nutritional needs. But I have the opinion I do because of my SIL and I won't go into that because I KNOW it would offend people.

I still don't think people should be treated poorly, though, like the OP was.

Bee_Kay replied:
(quoted on from their website) "WIC is a Federal grant program for which Congress authorizes a specific amount of funds each year for the program."

I don't see it as the same as "welfare" because it is targeted for children.

But, some people (my SD in particular) p**s me off when it comes to certain programs because it is supposed to benefit the mothers/children.... not their BF or SO.

ashtonsmama replied: PEGGY!

I'm so so sorry sweetie. NO ONE should be allowed to make you feel like that, just because you (and a TON of other middle class people, maybe even me in a few months), need some help starting out, that doesn't make you ANY less of a valuable person. You are a wife, a mother, and a PERSON, and you're just doing the best you can at the moment, and if someone needs to take advantage of WIC or some other program for awhile, THAT'S WHAT IT'S THERE FOR. I just want to go and beat that guy, how dare he make you cry!


I feel like a protective big sister...
I'm so sorry! Please do NOT take any of his hurtful words to heart, you are not any less of a person for needing to take advantage of this program for awhile, SO many people use this and welfare all the time, and some of them, like you, are just middle class people going through a time when what they have isn't enough...so NO, you're not low-class! Ryan and I have discussed the possibility of us needing to use WIC when the second baby comes, because we're just so financially strapped for cash right now, and can't imagine how much more we're going to need when #2 arrives...so it's on our minds.

Anyways. Sorry to babble, I just really feel horrible that he said all that and made you feel so rotten!


YOU ARE A WONDERFUL, CONTRIBUTING MEMBER OF SOCIETY!

Just had to say it like that.

1lilpeanut2love replied: I am so sorry to hear this!! You didn't deserve to be treated like that! How dare that person!!

I was/ am on WIC. My SO is and still is the only one working. He makes good money, but we still struggle despite this!! WE have been on it since Kaylee was born. I am not at all ashamed. I have never been treated harshly or looked down it before, though. It has been a total life saver!!!!! We didn’t have to spend very much money on formula/ or cereal when Kaylee was on either one.

Also, any pregnant woman can get WIC for themselves. You get cereal, milk and cheese. It helps out alot. You get it until your child is 6 months for yourself.

Bee_Kay replied: I stand corrected.

I didn't think a woman could get WIC (for herself) after the baby was born if she chose to bottle-feed.

~Roo'sMama~ replied:
I didn't think you can, either. I am breastfeeding, so I am eligible for WIC for myself until Andrew is one year old, as long as I keep bf'ing. I got on WIC when I was a few months pg. All Andrew has been getting from the program since I BF is infant cereal and one thing of juice every month, but starting next month (when he turns one) he'll get more food and I won't get anything.

garrettsmom replied: OMG.....if it wasn't for WIC, I'd never be able to afford the formula for Garrett!! Please can be so ignorant.

BAC'sMom replied:

My2Beauties replied: I would have notified the store manager on that one - immediately at that point I would have said where is your manager. I would have also told him if I keep getting the wrong thing then it's your stupid store's fault for not having the items clearly marked that WIC is accepted with those items - Kroger always had them marked in Red. Don't feel bad, millions of people use some type of gov't assistance at one point in their life, it's not like you're milking the system. You have every right to accept WIC vouchers. But I never had to check a balance neither - that is sort of weird.

MyLuvBugs replied:
EXACTLY!!!! Very well said!

We don't have a "balance" either. We get checks that say what we are allowed to buy on them. And the HyVee and SuperSaver stores here all have WIC Items marked very clearly too. Definately write a nasty letter to the Albertsons, and go in and ask to speak with a manager in private.

zdk753 replied: I'm sorry to hear that you were treated that way. I work at the customer service booth at Albertson't here. I agree w/ everyone here. Contact the store manager & get the home offices #. At my Albertson's being rude to a customer regardless if they were rude first has serious consequences. Make sure you have your reciept to verify which employee it was. Like everyone said WIC is nothing to be ashamed of. That cashier should have called someone to help you find the right stuff & explain it to you.

NEWMOM05 replied: Thank you all for your support. I think I will do something. Not sure yet what, but Dh doesn't even know yet. We'll see what he says. Our Wic system isn't like a voucher our is a receipt that say beginning balance and ending balance.

ForEx:

Beginning balace

1 gal milk
18 oz peanut butter
1 doz eggs
30 oz cereal
3 cans formula Lctfrlpl
13 oz juice bottled
2 lb of cheese


Then I have this brochure thing that says the specifics

Cheese
block, sliced or mixed. 8 oz or above, any brand not to exceed $6.00 per lb. That's all it really says for cheese. So how many types of cheese do they carry let's see almost 15. So I flollow it and get the wrong one every stinking time.

That's what I did twice.

Milk
Must be 2%, cheapest brand- This on is easy to understand.

Creal
it shows the pics of the boxes you can get- simple

Peanut Butter-
18 oz. not to exceed $5.00, any brand
Can't have chips, organic, jelly, honey or be in tubes

(They should have said can't be crunchy has to be creamy can't be low-fat or educed fat has to be as fatteningas possilbe. )

A&A'smommy replied: I know what you mean honey I couldn't wait to get off of wic (well until we could afford too) because I was always embarrassed and I felt like people were judging me!! I'm sorry you were treated badly!!!

C&K*s Mommie replied: I have been told that you can get WIC assistance, here in FL, until your child is 5 yrs of age. So it is a benefit for everyone who qualifies to continue to be on it.

CantWait replied: That's awful the way you were treated. I'd definetly bring it up with head office. There's no reason for that what so ever.

kimberley replied: i'm sorry that happened to you. been there. those people really need a lesson in manners. the food bank people are even worse. you have a right to complain if you want to. hope things get better soon.

~Roo'sMama~ replied:
I don't know if the rules are exactly the same where you are as they are here, but maybe this will help... our WIC rules for cheese are: Shredded, brick, and string cheese, pretty much any kind as long as it's not reduced fat, or from the deli, or imported or has anything added to it like peppers or stuff like that... and the string string has to be regular flavor not smoked.

Peanut butter can be creamy or crunchy, you can get any brand, even the natural stuff, but it can't be reduced fat, organic, or have stuff added to it like jelly.

Milk can be any brand (I get the one with no hormones added) and can be skim, 1%, 2% whatever you want - I don't know about if the voucher is for the baby then you might have to get either whole or 2%... I guess I'll find out next month.

Look up the WIC website for your state and click on WIC foods and it has a whole list of guidelines for what you can and can't get. If you don't know the address just Google it - I just put MN WIC in the search bar and found the website that way. It really is confusing if you haven't had it explained to you very well. My wic lady was really good about explaining it to us plus the website helps a lot.

Maddie&EthansMom replied:


I'm so very sorry he made you feel that way. Seriously, he has NO right to make you feel that way. Don't give him that right. Don't let it bother you. You are NOT a piece of trash and don't believe that for one second. You are doing what you can...what is your God given right as a tax paying American to take care of the well being of your family. I commend you for doing that instead of letting them starve. Please don't feel bad any longer.

Cece00 replied: What a jackass.

He really shouldnt be so high and mighty, if he was a cashier @ Albertson's. I mean obviously he is probably not living the high life.

Anyway- I had WIC when I had my first son....I was 19 & I couldnt work for awhile, so I got WIC. I didnt feel that bad, my BF paid taxes like everyone else, not to mention I had paid taxes when I worked, too, and when I went back to work I paid taxes, and I only used it when I needed it.

You need to write to corporate and report than cashier.

You also need to report that store to the WIC office. Stores get in VERY big trouble for treating people that way, I remember there was a part of the WIC folder that said something like "If you feel you are being discriminated against for using WIC, please call XXXXXXXXXX", just in case someone did that to you.

So I'd report the guy and the store.

holley79 replied: Honey WIC is there for a reason. There is nothing to be ashamed of at all. I'm sorry that you were treated that way. I hope that you have a better day though.

USMCwife replied: I would definitely report that cashier to his manager, f you dont want to do it face to face you can always call in, just get the receipt so the manager will know who the cashier was, he should be reprimanded for his actions!

I received WIC while I was pregnant w/ my daughter, Eden 6 years ago, I was a single mom at the time and I was very fortunate that there was a program like WIC to help me. I am married now and wasnt able to get WIC with my son, Garrett. But I would NEVER look at someone differentely because they have WIC. This program is in place because it is needed, if it wasnt for WIC, I would have had a MUCH harder time raising my daughter.

Dont let a jacka$$ like that cashier make you feel like less of a person, he needs a kick in the a$$!!