I have had a very difficult time coming up with a title for this one. I have had to repeat the story in my head several times, all the while SHAKING IT side to side repeatedly, to make sure I am not overlooking something. I have also had to discuss it with a couple close friends that could handle the exorbitant amount of swearing that came out of my mouth as I told yet another, “I’m getting screwed” story.
Now that I have “tamed” my vocabulary a bit, I feel that I NEED to share this story. I need others to know that the way I am being treated isn’t right, and that I am going to Fight for myself. I hope if you find yourself in a similar situation you fight for yourself too.
Here’s the story…
At the beginning of April, I received the annual email from the IL Secretary of State’s office stating “you have not yet renewed your Illinois license plate registration which expires 4/30/2019″… yeah yeah I know, more bills.
On April 7th, I decided I might as well get it over with and send my payment. ( Two things you can’t avoid Death and Taxes Right?) and hey……They even let you pay it online for a $3.00 convenience fee…whoopy! I clicked the link in the email and was directed to their website. While I was there I learned about the state’s Benefit Access Program, which they say “allows for the Secretary of State’s office to provide for a reduced-fee license plates aimed toward senior citizens and persons with disabilities with specific qualifications.” Ok THIS part did excite me. (If your sole income is from Social Security disability, you really know what I am talking about).
I attempted to apply for the BAP, but kept receiving error messages. It appeared that that part of their website was down. (How convenient?) Shrug, well I had to renew my plates anyway and the website said,
If you have already renewed your license plate sticker and paid full price, and are now part of the Benefit Access Program, you may be eligible to request a refund. Call the Secretary of State’s Office at 800-252-8980 for more information.
so I went ahead and paid for my plates.
On Monday, I went back to the BAP’s website, jumped through their hopes and surprise, surprise…. I qualified. (not surprised at all). 
Next step ask for a refund.
I tried to apply for a refund online. For some reason that didn’t work….website down again?….hmmmm? So I called the number listed above. The woman I talked with said, it must just be too soon, give it a couple days and try again. Ok did that. Same problem. SO, I called again. I talked to the same person (yes I do keep track of dates, times, and names of people I talk to after learning the hard way it is a necessity). During this second call she said that she would submit the information for review for me. I thanked her and assumed the matter was closed.
IT wasn’t.
HUH?!?!?!?!?
Remember this statement…..
If you have already renewed your license plate sticker and paid full price, and are now part of the Benefit Access Program, you may be eligible to request a refund. Call the Secretary of State’s Office at 800-252-8980 for more information.
This statement is from their website!!!!!
I feel like they should have included the free “how to keep an idiot busy keychain”
You know the one that has
<– written on both sides….
Ok so ANOTHER phone call.
This time the person I spoke with said, ” Oh you will have to download the required forms and send your sticker back to be reviewed” Huh?!?! I said…
- HUH?!?!?
- I have to return this sticker to buy this same sticker again?!?!?!
- You can’t just issue a credit?
- You do realize that it is almost the end of the month and I need to have a sticker on my car to avoid a ticket or penalty right?!?!?!?
- Can I go to the DMV and return the sticker to buy another sticker?
- @#%$#^#%&#^%&&&&&
Her response was, ” Um yeah it is a bad system. Would you like me to send you the forms?”
ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
………………….. Uh, yes please?
Since that call, I have been to the DMV…they can’t help. I have received and filled out these forms
The forms, along with my sticker, are going in the mail today. I can not purchase another sticker for my car (believe me I have tried) yet the only way I MIGHT get a refund is if I sent my sticker back and hope they have mercy on me?!?!?!?
So what do you think will happen next? Will I be arrested or ticketed for not having a current sticker? Will they refund me? Will this game of cat and mouse ever end?
Just for shits and grins I googled why we have laws and this is what I found….
Laws protect our general safety, and ensure our rights as citizens against abuses by other people, by organizations, and by the government itself. We have laws to help provide for our general safety.
So who protects you when your government is the ones screwing you?
Have you ever experienced similar red tape? I would love to hear about it!
MS Graceful...NOT! 