For those of you who have transitioned into non-cash safety net assistance, you may have noticed or will soon notice that the way you get your benefits has changed. You should not see any change in the amount of benefits you receive, just the way that you get them.

        As we reported in the last issue, your rent and utilities will be paid out for you and any remaining balance will be given to you in cash. Public assistance regulations require that safety net benefits must be paid in the following order:

        First, the Department of Social Services (DSS) must pay your rent (or shelter allowance) by direct payment to your landlord, up to the shelter maximum. The amount of the shelter maximum depends on how many people are in your grant, and if heat is included in your rent. To see what your maximum shelter allowance is, look at the following chart:

        DSS must make your rent payment with a two party check if you ask them to. The only time that DSS does not have to issue two party checks is if you persistently fail to pay your rent.

        If you request it in writing, and you have enough in your grant, DSS can pay your whole rent, (above the shelter allowance) but it is up to you whether you want DSS to pay all of your rent or just some of it. Please note: DSS can only pay your whole rent - above the shelter allowance - after your utilities have been put on voucher. Then, if there is any money remaining in your grant, DSS can use that money to pay your excess shelter costs. If DSS pays only partial rent and you find yourself facing an eviction for non-payment of rent, you should apply for emergency assistance on the first floor of the Rath Building. Emergency assistance should be able to help you if you need the extra money to help avoid eviction or homelessness.

        Second, DSS must voucher your utilities (if your utilities are not included in your rent).

        DSS will pay your entire utility bill if you request that the excess be paid. Before welfare reform, DSS automatically paid the entire utility bill when you were on utility voucher. Now, DSS must get your written permission before the entire utility bill can be paid. DSS must also give you proof of payment if you request it.

        If for some reason you should find that you face a utility shutoff, DSS must help you with the shutoff even if they don’t have your written permission to pay the whole bill, or there is not enough money in your grant to voucher your utilities.

        Finally, after paying your rent and utilities, if you have anything left in your grant it can go directly to your landlord as excess shelter or you will get the rest in cash, it is up to you.

        Food Stamps and Medicaid should not change once your public assistance case changes to non-cash safety net.

        If, for some reason, you choose not to get non-cash safety net and you have no other income, your food stamp benefits should increase because you lost your cash benefits. If you choose to continue to get non-cash safety net, remember to apply as soon as possible so that your benefits continue without interruption. If you are having trouble applying or have any questions about non-cash safety net, contact Project Dandelion at 847-0650.

        If you receive public assistance, disability benefits, or other state benefits, or if you are unemployed, or are denied credit—you have the right to one free credit report a year. Write or call the three major credit bureaus for your free copy. (You can also call Project Dandelion at 847-0650, ext. 402, for a copy of the "Requesting Your Credit Report" legal information letter for more information and a sample request letter!)

Experian (1-888-397-3742)
National Consumer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 2104
Allen, TX 75013-2104

Equifax (1-800-997-2493)
Customer Information Service Center
P.O. Box 105496
Atlanta, GA 30348-5496

Trans Union Corporation (1-800-888-4213)
Consumer Disclosure Center
P.O. Box 1000
Chester, PA 19022

        Did you know that if you or a client needs assistance at the Department of Social Services Project Dandelion is there to help? This month I would just like to remind everyone that I can be found “hiding” in the Rath Building between 9:00 and 12:00, Monday through Friday mornings. You do not need an appointment to meet me. I am there to represent Project Dandelion and Neighborhood Legal Services. I assist people with applications for HEAP, food stamps, cash assistance, emergency assistance and the new Medicaid programs. I am also available to answer questions regarding these programs and the services which NLS can provide. You can “find” me by asking for me at Window 9 or 10, and a DSS employee will inform me that someone is there to speak with me.

        Please remember to bring identification for yourself and others in your household. Proof of address, rent receipts, utility bills, and wage statements are necessary documents - the application process will go a lot smoother if you bring these things with you when you apply.

        Did you hear the recent local news reports that the costs of residential water in Erie County will be going up in the next few months? Well, in order to help you prepare for this, and to save some money (not to mention help to conserve the environment!) - here are some tips for saving water and money in your home!

• Save 4 to 10 gallons of water a day by turning off the tap while you brush your teeth or shave!
• Fill your sink, or a basin with water when washing/rinsing dishes—you could save 15 gallons a day!
• Never throw water down the drain when you can use it somewhere else. For example - don’t dump out the extra water in your teapot - after it cools, use it to water plants.
• Repair dripping faucets with new washers. If you have a drip, you are wasting approximately 2,700 gallons a year!
• Store drinking water in the refrigerator instead of letting the tap run to get cold water.
• Insulate your water pipes - water will heat up faster and you won’t waste water or heating costs!
• Test if you have a leaky toilet. Place a few drops of food coloring into the tank. If your toilet is leaking, the water in the bowl will turn the color of the dye within 15 minutes (wash and flush after these 15 minutes to avoid stains). If you do have a leak, contact your landlord, or easily replace the inexpensive flapper or flush valves yourself. This leak could be wasting 50 gallons a day!

        Unemployment insurance benefits (UIB) are temporary income benefits for eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own. Eligibility for UIB depends on several factors: how much you have worked in the recent past, the reason you lost your job, and your willingness to seek new employment.

        First, in order to be eligible for UIB, you must have worked at least 2 quarters (each quarter consists of 13 weeks) of the last five, and you must have earned at least $1600 during one of the quarters. For example, if you were laid off on January 1^st, you must have worked at least two quarters (26 weeks) in the past 5 quarters.

        Second, you are only eligible for UIB if you lost your job through no fault of your own. This means that you can receive UIB if you were laid off, or in some cases if you were fired without good cause, or in some cases if you quit with good cause. What this means is that you cannot just quit your job without “a good reason” and receive UIB. For example, if you quit your job just because you do not like it anymore, or because you do not like the hours - you may not be eligible for UIB.

        Third, if accepted for UIB, you must be willing and able to continue to look for employment during the time that you receive UIB.

        You should apply for UIB within the first week of total, or partial unemployment by calling the automated New York State UIB TEL-CLAIM line at 1-888-209-8124. When you apply, have at hand your Social Security Number, personal information, names and addresses of all places you have worked within the last 18 months, and information on how your last job ended.

HOW MUCH UIB CAN I GET?

        UIB are calculated based upon your highest quarter of wages. You may not receive your full wages that you lost, as UIB are a percentage of your wages, up to a maximum of $405 a week. You will receive your benefits for up to 26 weeks.

        UIB are not reduced if you receive Social Security - so long as you are available for and looking for work. If you receive a pension - you will not be eligible for UIB. Public Assistance (DSS) will require that you first apply for UIB if you haven’t yet before receiving public assistance and it will count for public assistance purposes.

        If your application is denied (or if your benefits are decreased and you disagree) you have a right to a fair hearing. A fair hearing is an administrative hearing where you will be able to state your case, and your employer or their representative will be able to state theirs. You can appeal your denial by following the directions on your denial letter. In Erie County, call Volunteer Lawyer’s Project for assistance with these hearings at 847-0662.

       This month’s column focuses on the two different kinds of tenancy. It is important to know what kind of tenancy you have so that you are aware of the proper way that a landlord can evict you. There are two kinds of tenants: a tenant has either a month-to-month tenancy (which can even be verbal) or a leased tenancy.

        You are considered month-to-month if you do not have a written lease (for a period longer than one month), and you pay your rent once a month. Your tenancy can be terminated either by yourself, or by your landlord by giving one month’s notice. Notice must be given at least by the last week of the month prior to moving and in writing. For example—if you decide you want to move out of your month-to-month apartment by February 1st, notice must be given before December 31st. If there is no notice by this time, your landlord can hold you legally responsible for all of January’s rent, and even possibly February’s. Also—with month-to-month tenants, your landlord must give you the same notice to vacate, but he does not have to give you a reason why he wants you to leave.

        The other form of tenancy is a leased or rental agreement. If you signed a lease, it is usually for a term of a year, unless otherwise stated. Once you sign the lease, you must follow the condition and terms stated. If you violate any of the conditions or terms, your landlord has a legal right to terminate your tenancy. Your landlord must also follow the terms of the lease. If you receive Section 8, your Section 8 lease should be honored over your lease with your landlord.

    If you have questions regarding your tenancy, or your lease, call NLS at 847-0650 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., and ask for the housing unit.

        Services offered include: housing/food/clothing assistance; teen pregnancy prevention; transportation services; youth and children programming; case management; Child Health Plus facilitated enrollment; summer recreation programs; client advocacy and referral services and much more!

        The staff of the Reach Out Program provides the counseling, planning and supportive services that are listed above at their offices (located in the Perry Housing Development), at other East Side community locations, as well as at client homes and schools. For more information, contact the Reach Out Program at (716) 852-7396, or visit them at 344 Perry Street in Buffalo.

        There have been two major changes in the Food Stamps program lately that everyone should be aware of!

        In an effort to get food stamps to more eligible families - New York State has adopted the Transitional Food Stamps program. Under this program, families closing their Family Assistance (TANF) cases will receive transitional food stamps for up to 3 months. Families should receive the same, or an even higher amount of food stamps as they did while receiving Family Assistance.

        Families who have a person in the household with a current violation of a TANF requirement, a food stamp sanction, or a current Intentional Program Violation will not be eligible for Transitional Food Stamps.

        Effective on 10/29/01, New York State will completely exclude the value of one licensed vehicle per household for food stamp eligibility purposes, no matter what the value of the car is!

        If there is more than one car in the household, then the value of one car will be totally excluded, and DSS will look at the purpose of the second car, and the work/job-seeking activities of the household members to determine resource eligibility.

        Did you know that the Department of Labor has recently funded a program to help individuals between the ages of 14 to 21 with career development, training, and a host of other activities? The program is called the Youth Opportunity Movement (YO! Buffalo) and has sites at both the JFK center at 114 Hickory Street and the Belle Center at 104 Maryland Street. In order to qualify you must be between the ages of 14 to 21 and must live within certain zip code areas. To find out more information or to apply, stop by the JFK or Belle Centers or call them at 853-2555 (JFK) and 854-7121 (Belle).

        Project Dandelion’s Theresa Simmons is conducting on-site legal intake for youth at each site, once a week. She will also be conducting workshops for teens on a variety of issues including: budgeting and credit issues, family law basics, advocacy skills and more! In addition, Terri will be writing this new column in the Dandelion Connection on legal issues or advocacy tips for teens and their advocates!

        If you answered yes to these questions - then the BMHA Employment Opportunity Programs are for you! BMHA has developed several programs for BMHA residents to assist them in job training, finding and securing a better job, and in business development.

        First, BMHA’s Job Readiness Training program provides job skills training, and assistance in job searching and interviewing skills. Training is available in several trades (including electrical, carpentry, computers, child care, clerical, and GED programs, among others). Through this program you may also have access to transportation and child care assistance while you are job searching.

        Second, the BMHA Clothes Closet provides free career clothing to job seekers!

        Third, BMHA also has a Small Business Development program that will help you plan your new business, and will help you access funds to get started!

        If you participate in these programs and earn a stipend or increased income as a result, you may be eligible for a rent freeze. This will allow you to earn extra income while not facing increases in your BMHA rent for up to 12 months. This will help participants secure a good job, and get on their feet with less obstacles!

        For more information: call 855-6711. All classes and programs are held at the Commodore Perry Development on Fulton Street (853-1580).

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is available for elderly, disabled and low-income clients to obtain free help with their tax filings at the following sites (call for times and schedules):

-Amherst Public Library 689-9182
-Lackawanna Senior Center 627-3267
-Schueler Park Senior Center 895-2727
-W. Seneca Senior Center 675-9288
-Rhinestein Memorial Library 892-8089
-Kenmore Public Library 695-3987
-Kenisington-Bailey Comm. Ctr. 838-4343

**In the next issue of Dandelion Connection: Tax News You Can Use 2001! The lead article will cover the major tax credits and programs that apply to low-income tax-return-filers during this tax season. This issue will come out in very early February 2002. For more information on tax credits and issues, go to: www.irs.gov.

Make this easy chili to warm you and your family this winter! Cooking it in the crock-pot is easy!

1 Lb. of Ground Beef
1 medium Onion, chopped
1 medium Green Pepper, chopped
1 (28 oz) can of Tomato Soup
1 can Stewed Tomatoes
2 cans of Kidney (or Chili) Beans
4-6 heaping tsp. of chili powder
2 Tbsp. of sugar (to sweeten)

Brown ground beef in skillet on stove, along with onion and bell pepper. When cooked through, stir beef mixture with all remaining ingredients together in crock-pot. Cover and cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours. Stir well before serving.