THE DANDELION CONNECTION
Ellicott Square Building., 295 Main Street Room 495, Buffalo, New York 14203
(716) 847-0655 ext. 402   dandelion@nls.org    www.nls.org
Volume 9 Issue 1                                                            January/February 2001
Copyright 2001, Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.

in this issue..
Electronic Benefits Transfer
Maggie’s Corner, Recipe
Child Care Corner
Tele-Marketer Registry
Heating Tips
What is Project Dandelion?
Student Loan Clinic

Electronic Benefits Transfer

New York is changing the way clients will access their cash and food stamp benefits. Beginning in the middle of January, all of Western New York recipients of temporary assistance and food stamps benefits will now access their benefits through the new Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system.

The EBT system is like a debit card, or an ATM card. Recipients will use the card to access their benefits—both cash and food stamps, at ATMs, stores, and other participating locations.

You will keep the same benefits card that you now have. If you look on the back of the card, there is a magnetic strip, and a symbol that says QUEST. If you see these two things, your card is ready to be used as an EBT card when the system opens in January. If you do not see these two things, you will be mailed a new card very soon.

You will use the same PIN code that you use now. Remember, this is a secret code, and only you should know and be able to use this code to access your benefits.

To access your cash benefits, take your EBT card to an ATM (Automated Teller Machine). Insert the card, enter your PIN number, and then follow the instructions. Choose the option for checking account. Although you may not have an actual checking account at the bank, your cash benefits are kept in a ‘checking account’ for you. Next, select how much in cash you would like.

You will receive the same amount of benefits as you do now. You can take out as little or as much of your cash benefits as you would like each time you visit the ATM or store.

You can also use your EBT card at a store, like a grocery store, or drug store. At the check-out, you can use your EBT card to purchase items. The money for your purchase will come out of your cash benefits account (unless the purchase is eligible to be paid for by your food stamps benefits - see more on this later in the article).

At the register, you can hand your card to the cashier, or use the automated machine at the check-out. If you use the machine, when asked what payment you are using, press the “EBT” button. The amount of your purchase will be deducted from your cash-benefits account automatically.

You can also get cash back after a purchase. For example, let’s say I am using my EBT card to buy paper towels and diapers at the grocery store (which are not eligible as a food stamp purchase). My purchase total is $8.00, and I use my EBT card. After choosing EBT, the machine—or cashier asks me if I would like any cash back. If I choose yes, I will be asked how much cash back I would like. After choosing $20.00 cash back, the cashier will give me $20.00, and my receipt. Therefore, there will be a deduction of $28.00 from my cash benefits: $8.00 for the things I bought, and $20.00 for the cash I received. This is an easy - and no-fee way to get my cash benefits at the store!

There will be no more food stamps coupons! On your EBT card you will also have a food stamps account. Your level of food stamps each month will not change - just how you use them.

At the grocery store, separate your purchases (food stamp eligible and non-food stamp eligible) as always. At the check-out, use your card to buy your purchases. Give the card to the cashier, or use the machine at the check-out. Choose the payment option “EBT,” and then enter your PIN code. After that, the cashier will tell you how much is to be paid for by food stamps, and how much you must pay in cash.

If you would like to use your EBT card for the cash part of the purchase, as well as the food stamp part of the purchase—you can! Just follow the instructions we just discussed on how to use your card for your cash benefits.

Look for ATMs that have the QUEST logo. Also, at the grocery store, look for check-out machines that have an “EBT” button. All stores that accept food stamps will be able to accept the EBT cards.

You can also call a toll-free number to request a list of stores and ATMs that you can go to:
1-800-289-6739.

There are other stores that may accept your EBT card as well, these include Big K-mart, Walmart, Rite-Aid—and others!

The amount of your benefits will not change. The dates that your benefits are available to you will not change either. Remember, this is just a change in how benefits are picked-up, and used.

Any part of your benefits that are currently on voucher, or are direct payments taken out of your total each month will not change either.

One big difference now with the EBT system, is that any unused benefits will accumulate. Whereas benefits used to “disappear” if not used or accessed, benefits now will accumulate. Food Stamp benefits can accumulate on your EBT card for up to 9 months before disappearing. Cash Benefits will accumulate on your EBT card for 6 months, before disappearing.

It is important to know that in Erie County, benefits that go unused for 2 months for cash, or 3 for food stamps will be frozen by DSS. This means that if you do not touch your food stamp account for more than 3 months - your food stamps are accumulating, but you will be told at a store that your account is frozen, or is denied. To “unfreeze” your account—you must call your caseworker.

First, remember that the amount of your monthly benefits, or food stamps, will not be changing. You will not automatically receive a statement of your benefits accounts, it will be up to you to keep track of how much you have available to you.

Each time you use your EBT card you will receive a receipt telling you what your balance is. Each receipt should have the balance of both the food stamps and cash benefits that you have available to you.

It is up to you how you will spend, withdraw, or debit your benefits. You may prefer to withdraw the entire amount, as you do now—or you can use the EBT card just as a debit card, and not handle much cash.

You can also call a toll-free number to find out your balances: 1-888-328-6399. Also use this number to get a printed record of your account by mail or to hear over the phone your last 10 transactions.

Not normally. First, food stamp purchases with your EBT card are always free.

You will be able to make FOUR withdrawals of cash benefits from ATM machines a month without any charge. After 4 cash withdrawals there will be an automatic .85¢ taken out of your account as a New York State fee.

You can avoid this .85 cent fee by only making 4 cash withdrawals from an ATM machine a month. You can also avoid this .85 cent fee by asking for cash back after using your EBT card at a grocery store, or other store, as described on page 2. There are NEVER fees for getting cash back like this.

Another kind of fee you may encounter is a bank surcharge fee. This is an amount - usually between .50 and $2.00 that is charged for using certain ATM machines. There are FREE ATM machines in Erie County. Avoid paying these fees by finding the free ATM machines in your area.

First, in Western New York, all HSBC, Citibank and M&T ATM machines will be surcharge free for EBT users. Second, you can find a list of surcharge free ATM machines by calling 1-800-289-6739. And remember, if you use your EBT card to debit a purchase and then get cash back, there is never a fee.

Call to report suspicious fees, or a lost, or stolen card or PIN code immediately: 1-888-328-6399.

For more information on the EBT system

You will receive written information in the mail from DSS about EBT in January. There is also a training hotline number you can use toll-free: 1-866-491-3940. During January and February, there will also be representatives at all DSS offices to answer questions and to demonstrate how to use the EBT cards. Contact your caseworker to find out the dates for this training.

It’s that cold time of year and HEAP is open once again. Here are a few tips to make things run smoothly for your visit to the HEAP office at the Rath Building.

To assure that you will be seen on the day that you have an emergency, try to arrive at DSS at 7:45. The doors won’t open until 8:00, but you have a better chance to be seen that day rather than having to make a repeat visit.

If your utility service has been off for more than 30 days or the account is not in your name, go to the company to obtain a “Denial of Service” letter BEFORE going to HEAP. This will save you time when applying for HEAP.

When I asked a HEAP worker what her best suggestion was, she said, “REMEMBER TO BRING A COPY OF YOUR BILL!”

There is no doubt about it, child care can be very expensive. Did you know that there are several programs through DSS to help you pay for your child care expenses?

Where child care is necessary to enable a parent who is receiving temporary assistance to comply with work or school requirements of DSS, child care MUST be provided. This should occur automatically through a referral from a caseworker, or employment counselor.

Parents whose temporary assistance benefits have been partially reduced because they are earning outside income are still eligible for child care benefits. Ask your caseworker if you do not have all of your work hours covered with child care benefits.

Did you know that Transitional Child Care is guaranteed in New York State? It’s true in most circumstances!

Parents who transition off of temporary assistance because of an increase in income are automatically eligible for 12 months of transitional child care, if they are earning less than 200% of the state income standard. In order to qualify for this guarantee, the family must have received assistance for 3 of the 6 months preceding their transition off. There is a 4 month guarantee for parents who transition off of temporary assistance based upon an increase in child support payments.

Make sure to ask your caseworker about transitional benefits before closing your case! You do need to apply for these benefits, and prove your income.

Low-Income Child Care Benefits are available for families who earn less than 200% of the state income standard. Families who have not received public assistance, or who do not qualify for transitional child care benefits may still be eligible for low-income child care benefits.

Call 858-TYKE for an application for low-income child care benefits.

If found eligible under any of these programs, child care benefits will be paid for all hours worked by the parent, as well as a reasonable time allowed for travel to and from work.

There are payment scales - called market rates, that DSS will pay to each child care provider - based upon the type of care, and the age of the child.

Parents who qualify for transitional child care, or low-income child care may have to contribute a “parent share”, based upon their income. This fee can be as low as $1 a week.

Families have the right to a Fair Hearing regarding their child care benefits, just as with all benefits through DSS.

Any change in child care benefits cannot occur without a 10-day advance notice in writing. If you receive such a notice, you can call your caseworker for an explanation, or you may call a fair hearing to dispute the issue.

For further guidance feel free to call the DSS Child Care Unit at 858-TYKE, or Mindy at Neighborhood Legal Services at 847-0650.

Remember the last time you had a quiet dinner hour without the interruption of a telemarketer? Or the last time you told a telemarketer company to stop calling you - only to have them call the very next week?

Well, starting next Spring, New York State residents can eliminate those pesky telemarketer phone calls! Legislation has just established a Do Not Call Registry. If you sign-up to have your name on the Registry, your phone number will be removed from the lists that telemarketers use to make their calls. If a telemarketer does call you after 30 days from which the Registry opens, they could face fines of up to $2,000 a call!

There is no cost to sign-up for the Do Not Call Registry. To add your name to the Registry, call toll free: 1-800-697-1220, or you can register online at: www.consumer.state.ny.us. After you pre-register, you will receive a packet of information about the laws regarding telemarketers in the mail. The registry does not officially open until April 1, 2001, but you can pre-register today!

Heating Tips

Where were you during the ‘blizzard’ of November that shut down Buffalo? Hopefully someplace warm! As winter is upon us, take a look at some of these HEATING TIPS to help you stay warm, keep safe and save money!

• Seal air leaks around windows and doors. Even without storm windows, using caulking or inexpensive weather-strip can keep a lot of heat in your house - instead of escaping!

• Seal off unused rooms. Close all closet doors tightly. Close heat registers in the rooms that you are not using.

• Turn down your thermostat when you leave the house for more than two hours, or when you are sleeping. Niagara Mohawk reports that for every one degree you turn your heat down, you can save 1 to 3% of your total heating bill!

• Open drapes on sunny windows during the day to let sun in, but close all drapes at night to keep heat in.

• For safety, keep a 3 foot clearance between all space-heaters or fireplaces and any furniture!

• NEVER use your oven to HEAT!

• Have your landlord, or you, replace the filter on your furnace several times during the winter.

Seeing as though you have a copy of this newsletter, you probably have some idea of who we are, but you may not know about all of the services that Project Dandelion offers! This article will outline all of the various aspects of Dandelion to you. Feel free to contact us with questions at anytime at 847-0650, extension 402.

History: Dandelion was founded in 1992 as a unit of Neighborhood Legal Services, responding to a need in the community for not only legal, but social support for people trying to attain self-sufficiency. Dandelion’s mission is carried out through training, peer group support, publications, volunteer opportunities, and the dissemination of legal information.

Trainings: Dandelion conducts community trainings for agencies, client groups and others on welfare reform, and how to obtain self-sufficiency.

Advocacy Skills: Dandelion has written a manual on a Advocacy Skills entitled “A Self-Help Guide for People in Transition.” This book outlines goal setting, legal rights in benefits, consumer issues and employment, as well as other self-sufficiency tips. This manual can be purchased by advocates or clients. Agencies can also request Advocacy Skills Workshops for groups of their clients to be taught by Dandelion staff.

Front Door Project: Every morning at DSS, a Dandelion advocate is available to assist clients with applications, forms and questions.

Dandelion Hotline: Clients or advocates with questions about a legal issue, or about Dandelion services, or for a referral to another agency may call our confidential hotline at anytime. 847-0650, extension 402.

Benefits Counseling: Dandelion provides a one-on-one review of your financial needs, and will help clients establish a written plan of action to save money.

Student Loan Clinics: Dandelion holds a monthly student loan clinic for clients with student loan issues. See page 8 of this newsletter for more information!

Teen Connection: Dandelion staff teach workshops to high school aged clients and advocates for youth on many different legal issues. Manuals are available for teens on these issues as well. Call 847-0650, extension 226 for more information.

Dandelion Connection: This newsletter is distributed to over 1000 people, 6 times a year.

White Turkey Chili

• BMHA has a new updated application packet. To request one, call 855-6822.

• The Federal Family Waitlist reopened on December 1st. Applications are being accepted as well as for the State-Ferry Grider list.

• Section 8 Rental Assistance Vouchers for Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities are now available! The waitlist is only open until December 31, 2000. Call 855-6779.

The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding
the attitude we will embrace for that day.

- Charles Swindoll

On November 28, 2000, Project Dandelion paralegal Lynne Ezzell became the proud mother of a beautiful daughter! Congratulations!

Do you need help with student loans?

Project Dandelion can help.

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