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June 15, 2017
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34 Comments
Today, December 7, 2018, my husband’s SS disability benefits case worker phoned to ask that my husband, who is terminal with cancer, come into the offices at 550 Forest Avenue in Portland, Maine. We were informed that one piece of information was needed for final approval of his benefits. While my husband is quite weak, we were happy to comply, as his case worker, Scott has been wonderful when my husband has spoken with Scott on the phone. Scott indicated that my husband should sign in at the kiosk and Scott would look out for his SS number to come up and would see my husband. We have never been into the offices to use the kiosk before today. When prompted with the question “Do you have an appointment?”, my husband hesitated whether to answer yes or no but chose yes because we knew Scott was looking out for his SS number and this was to be a specific conversation with Scott. Scott informed us when his lunch break was and we were to arrive before or after that time. Hence, our understanding we were to specifically meet with Scott and consider our arrival as the appointment time. So, having received his number, my husband proceeded when directed, to window one, at just after 11am. I don’t know the name of the woman but I am explaining all of this to complain about how rude she was. She asked did my husband have a appointment. My husband hesitated for two reasons: he is weak from chemo and side effects from chemo, one of which is a foggy mind resulting in slow thinking, while the second reason was that though he felt he had an appointment, he was not given a specific time. Because I had been the one speaking with Scott on the phone (my husband felt too weak and foggy at the time of the phone call), I spoke up to try to explain. I was met with a rude hand put up as she rudely asked my husband again whether he had an appointment. He then said no, meaning not a specific time but she would not allow him to explain further. She told him to sit down, there were others ahead of him. She did not say this kindly, she was extremely rude and accusing. I asked could I not try to explain and she rudely told me to go ahead. I tried to explain about the phone call with Scott. She would not listen. I told her I thought she was being rude and there was no need for it. She abruptly told me I said that only because didn’t like what she was telling me. My husband was, understandably, feeling lousy and went to sit down. She told me to sit and wait to be called in, again an accusing and rude manner so much so that I said I would hope we would not be called to her window, to which she replied, “I hope not, too”. I felt verbally assaulted by this distainful woman who had one goal, to be cruel and accusing and not care to learn the truth. No one was trying to put anything over. He was doing as he thought he should when my husband selected yes to having an appointment. To be treated in such a rude manner was upsetting enough but to be treated in such a rude manner under the circumstances, that my husband is dying and every stage we go through to prepare for his death, is extremely painful. It’s disgusting that this woman is allowed to treat people in such a horrible manner. I do not know her name but I am using this form to file a complaint against her. No one, no matter if they are sick or well, should be treated so rudely. I would hope she will be reprimanded.