I feel screwed by the system

by Richard Kateley
(Casa Grande AZ Pinal)

I am a single father of three wonderful children in which I have sole custody of. My issue is this, I got a divorce from the three children's mother about three years ago, and because she receives SSI I cannot receive child support. We are a very low-income family. Her husband works and she has had a job in the past (although I don't know where because she was paid under the table). So I never received a dime for the time she worked). I do not think I am being treated fairly, because if the positions were reversed and she had custody of the children I would be paying child support. I work as a dishwasher and go to school. I have been forced by my limited income to file for AFDC. I am concerned that I will have to pay this back. I am trying very hard to provide better for my family but it is hard. At times I tell her that I need some help in supporting the kids, but all she tells me is to give her the kids if I can't handle it. She has limited visitation 3 hours every week and 5 hours every other week. The husband is not allowed in the home during visitation. I am in the process of finding out if there are any exceptions to my circumstance. Trying to find a way to where she either has to pay child support or pay back AFDC.