ok, so I'm currently unable to work, and my mother is unable to work (and has been unable to work since ~1996) So my mother gets government benefits. I'm working for our food benefits, and for those benefits, I'm to work 24 hours in a month at their designated workplace for people on food and cash assistance.

Last month, we got a letter that stated we were to be put on sanction (taking away our food assistance) if i didn't finish my hours. I finished my hours, and the next day, I called into the government office to let them know, and the lady that I spoke to said she'd call the workplace and get verification that I had indeed finished my hours. Today, my mother checks the website to see how much we're supposed to get for food assistance, and apparently we're only getting 20$ FOR THE MONTH FOR TWO PEOPLE.

I don't know what to do, because I can't really do 24 hours this month, because I have surgery on Thursday, and I'm not sure how long the doctor wants me down for, plus today was a level 3 snow emergency (meaning no travel except emergency personnel and vehicles) until noon, and government offices were closed all day. (including the workplace)

I'm hoping that they'll be able to do it tomorrow, and put us back to our right amount, because we're not going to be able to eat on $2.50 per person per week. it's literally impossible.

I think you should call their bureau first of all and try to make them explain to you their calculation. You should also let them know about your surgery and if papers are required as any type of proof. Peharps you could also try your local food banks?

Because of your situation, I would suggest some cheap yet healthy recipes, budget the money and food. That's all I can think of right now.

we've been doing that, but so far, we've got no money, so no fuel in the car for going anywhere, including food banks and stuff. I'm going to call them tomorrow and see what's going on.

The car is an extra itself. Can't you take public transportation? Local food banks can't be that bad by bus?

if we lived in the city, it wouldn't be that bad. but we live in a really small town, and for us to take the county transportation would be $3 apiece each way, regardless of proximity to the food banks

Is it a lot ..? Because in my city, it's 3.25$ each trip. Any relative/friend/partner alright to give you a lift?

all of my friends are pretty busy, and I've asked several of them for rides, and only like 1/10 are even willing to help. And even then, it's in promise that we'll pay them back. we're trying to get everything fixed and paid up, and we're just falling farther and farther behind. it's ridiculous, really. and my boyfriend just moved to a house that's about 4 hours away from here, which i'm moving in with him after I'm healed from the surgery.

and it's 12$ total for both of us round trip to go anywhere in our county, and that's just a trip there and the trip home.