A dozen residents of the working-class neighborhood of Borny, in Metz, gather to participate in “talk and crafts” workshops organized by Secours catholique. For several weeks they worked on the report on poverty that the association published on Thursday, November 14 under the title “When solidarity fades.” Gathered around a café on the ground floor of a small HLM bar, they describe in their text public services that are increasingly less useful and increasingly distant.
Many have seen how a social benefit was suddenly suspended, without prior notice. Sylvie M. (asked to remain anonymous, like the other interviewees), 61, received a rent bill increased from 250 to 500 euros in February: “When I called CAF I found out that they had deprived me of the APL while I was paying a debt of 780 euros. “I insisted a lot, but no one was ever able to tell me where this debt came from.” says the disability care assistant, who volunteers to lead this workshop.
Valérie’s daughter and her future son-in-law, parents of a small child, have just suffered what they also consider an injustice: “Your active solidarity income (RSA) It was not paid. The CAF responded to my daughter that they no longer have the right to it, because according to France Travail they would have created their company, which is not the case.”explains this 55-year-old life support worker, currently unemployed. Huguette, 65, was not informed by Social Security that she had forgotten to sign a form, which delayed the renewal of her complementary health insurance. “I was the one who finally asked what was happening, after a month of waiting…”
“Now we talk to the computer”
Although they may be accompanied by social workers, they regret the lack of contacts in the different organizations, which forces them to ask their children or their neighbors, whose role is not the same. “Before, at Social Security, there were counters. We waited, but we met someone. It was better for us that we were not born with computers”recalls Chantal, 71, a retired community cook. “Now we talk to the computer”Valérie jokes. Telephone exchanges are also complicated. “Many times they tell me “ma’am, you don’t understand,” or that a piece of paper is missing, even if it is false.”testifies Sylvie M.
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