Flame-Out — Richard Quarry

In mid-21st century America, you're either on one side of the desk or the other. The Welfare Department desk, that is. Helping others to help themselves. And when a desperate client presents beleaguered caseworker Cary Gilford with a plea for more rent, Gilford's reply is just that: go help yourself, Mr. Ruggero.
But if you tip-toe past all challenges, pretty soon you've tip-toed past your whole life. So to save his soul, Gilford decides he'll take his career in his hands and confront the bureaucracy after all.
Only Mr. Ruggero's gotta understand, there's always some strings attached here or there. And sometimes you get them pulled pretty good.
Black humor about a future that may not be as far away as you hope.