Today I go downtown to the offices of SCRIE (Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption). The words Senior Citizen sound like they apply to someone other than me.
I pass through security, go to the third floor, and walk into a drab, poorly lit room, filled with people.
I take a number from a number-dispensing machine; 116. The number currently displayed is 96.
Using Fairway as my barometer, 20 people before me should be about a 30 minute wait. A half hour later and the number displayed is up to 99. This is more time consuming than ordering sliced turkey. Plus, I'm guessing there are more people manning Fairway's deli counter than there are government workers here at SCRIE.
I'm starting to get impatient. I am only here to have two questions answered from the form I need to complete. What constitutes a room, and what constitutes a window? Is a dining area made into a bedroom counted as a room? Does a big window count the same as a small one? Simple questions but there's no way to have them answered unless I come in person.
A SCRIE worker comes out from the back room and I grab him. "Hey, I just have a couple of quick questions," I say, and then I ask my questions. He looks at me and answers, "I don't understand why these questions are even on the application. It doesn't really matter how you answer them."
Who creates these forms? Why do they ask irrelevant questions? Why isn't there an explanation on unclear questions? Why isn't there a number to call? Why did I have to come all the way down here? These are the questions I want to ask; instead I say thank-you and leave.
I'm grateful that Robyn gave me her free monthly metro card to use while she's out of town. At least it doesn't cost me $5.50 to get my answers.
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