How to talk to a social worker?

Answer 1

Any number of uncontrollable circumstances can force you to make an unpleasant visit to a social worker to ask for help: losing your job, not making enough money, getting injured, becoming ill. When these things happen to you and bills begin to pile up, applying for assistance may be your only resort. Unfortunately, it is true that going to Social Services means compromising your dignity and you’ll find that many social workers have seen so much that they no longer have much sympathy or understanding. Here are a few tips for communicating with a social worker in such a way that they treat you like a person instead of a number.

Take care how you dress. A good number of people that go to Social Services for help don’t think about what they’re wearing, but clothing makes an impression. Don’t put on a pair of skin-tight jeans and half a dozen bracelets. Don’t wear sweat pants and a sweatshirt. Put yourself together nicely and with an eye towards discretion. You don’t need to wear a business suit or a dress; however, good grooming, clean clothes and a minimum of jewelry will make you stand out as an individual.

Put the cell phone and iPod away. You’re there for help. Sure, the wait may be boring but typing away at a text message or getting immersed in your favorite tunes makes you look like these people are on your time, instead of the other way around. The same principle applies to smacking gum.

You’re there to tell the social worker your business - not everyone else. Loud conversations, especially when they’re about your dirty laundry, peg you as coarse. Keep to yourself and be discreet.

Follow rules and be polite. Social Service workers see up to hundreds of people a day. They put rules in place to try to make things move smoothly. No, they may not all seem reasonable and they may not all work, but try to follow them anyway. They will appreciate it.

Be truthful, open and courteous. When you’re speaking to your social worker, tell them everything about your situation up front. Don’t be embarrassed about anything. The more they know, the more they can help you.

Be prepared. You’ll save yourself, and the worker, a great deal of headache if you come with everything you need: photo identification, social security card, birth certificate, proof of residence, proof of income, one or two bank statements, your bill (if you’re trying to get help paying one) and a copy of your lease or mortgage payments. Remember that you’ll need identification for everyone in your household.

Be friendly. It never hurts to behave like a person. Comment on a photo on their desk. Say something about the weather. Don’t let your visit get eaten up with chit chat, but normal conversation turns the situation into an interpersonal one.

Answer 2

Just tell the truth. There are no special rules. Do you mean to ask, how to find one?