Welfare Advocacy

1. Welfare Advocacy Louise Hayes Community Legal Services (215) 227-4734 LHayes@clsphila.org For help: Welfare Law Line (215) 227-6485

2. Agenda • Intro to Community Legal Services • True/False Quiz • Advocacy and Appeals • Overview of Cash Assistance Eligibility • Overview of Food Stamps Eligibility

3. True/False Quiz • Anyone who is poor enough can get cash assistance from the welfare office. • The welfare office has special rules to help people who have experienced domestic violence. • The welfare office can cut off a person’s benefits if she tries to get the paperwork requested by the welfare office but can’t get it.

4. True/False Quiz Continued 4. You can keep your benefits going for months after a cutoff if you appeal quickly enough. 5. Most people who appeal a welfare decision win.

5. Application ProcessFor cash, food stamps, and Medicaid • Apply at welfare office (“CAO”), by fax or mail, or online: • www.compass.state.pa.us • CAO must screen for expedited FS immediately • Interview needed for cash & FS (in-person for cash) • Need to provide proof of (“verify”) statements on application • CAO must approve or deny application within 30 days • If denied, APPEAL!

6. Verification Tips • No one document needed – be creative! • Ask DPW to make a “collateral contact” (that is, a phone call) • Submit a sworn statement • Is the verification needed at all? • Don’t refuse to provide verification. Generally, they can’t deny as long as you’re cooperating. • Keep a copy of everything you turn in.

7. Keep Benefits Coming • Semi-annual report form every 6 months • Redetermination every 6-12 months • Report changes, esp. change of address, by 10th day of the month after the change • To report changes: Call the Change Center at (215) 560-PCAO (7226), or CAO office. • Appeal any cut-off notice within 13 days.

8. Tips for Welfare Advocates • Keep a copy of anything you give the CAO, & get a receipt • Know the rules: www.dpw.state.pa.us Search for “Policy Handbooks & Manuals” • Keep calling! • Go up the chain of command • Keep good records

9. Tips for Welfare Advocates cont’d • Try another route E.g., Customer Svc Center, (215) 560-7226 Community Services, (215) 560-2547 • Put things in writing • Develop a relationship • Appeal! • Contact Community Legal Services or the Welfare Law Line (215 227-6485)

10. Fighting the System • Our motto: APPEAL NOW, THINK LATER Why? • Get a neutral decision if can’t work things out • Buy time! Can submit proof CAO wants any time until scheduled hearing. Have time to get the paperwork and/or legal help.

11. Deadlines for Appeals • To keep benefits coming: 13 days from date of notice • For cash and MA: 30 days • For food stamps: 90 days

12. How to Appeal • Fill out form on back of notice • If no notice, ask for form at front desk, or use ours • Keep copy • Hand it in or mail it certified • Get and keep receipt

13. Cash from the Welfare Office There were two programs with mostly the same rules: • TANF: for families with children living with them and pregnant women (TANF = Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) • General Assistance (GA): for people who couldn’t get TANF and who fit into one of several categories – ELIMINATED 7/31/12

14. General Assistance Categories(cash ended 7/31/12; still in effect for MA) • People with a disability (best category -- no time limit) • Need doctor to fill out Employability Assessment Form • In a drug & alcohol treatment program that precludes work (9 months only) • Receiving domestic violence services (9 months only)

15. Tips for People Who Have Lost GA • Apply for SSI if you are disabled. • Tell medical providers you can’t afford co-pays – they must provide care or meds anyway (though can bill you). • Can get a zero payment plan for criminal fines/costs. • Tell your story: PACaresforAll.org

16. Income & Resource Limits for TANF • Resource limit is $1,000 • Income limit is monthly grant amount: 1 person: $205 3 people: $403 2 people: $316 4 people: $497 • People on SSI and their income don’t count. • People on TANF (but not GA) may get 50% “earned income disregard.” Almost all other income reduces grant dollar-for-dollar.

17. Special Help for Victims of Domestic Violence • If you are, or have been, a victim of domestic violence, the CAO can excuse you from its rules. • The CAO can excuse you from: • Work rules • Child support cooperation • Time limit • Other rules if necessary • Proving domestic violence is easy – CAO form.

18. Food Stamps • Almost all low-income people are eligible • Issued to “households” who live together and purchase and prepare food together. • Exception: kids under age 22 must be in same household with parents they live with • Income limit is 160% of poverty (200% if someone is elderly or disabled) • $1,490 (or $1,862) per month for 1 person • Asset limit (as of 5/1/12). $5,500 for most, $9K for elderly/disabled.

19. How Much in Food Stamps Will I Get? • Depends on household size, income, and certain expenses, esp. shelter expenses • Use computation sheet • Under “Heat & Eat” policy, almost everyone should credit for $536 utilities cost.

20. Emergency Food Stamps • Can get “expedited” (emergency) FS within 5 days of application if: • Have <$100 on hand and <$150 in gross monthly income, or • Shelter costs (incl. $536 SUA) exceed monthly income and cash on hand. • No verification needed except for ID. • Still need to complete process for ongoing FS. And can’t get expedited FS again if don’t do so.