THE DANDELION CONNECTION
Ellicott Square Building., 295 Main Street Room 495, Buffalo, New York 14203
(716) 847-0655 ext. 402  www.nls.org

in this issue..
Utility Shut-Offs
Transportation for work
Maggie’s Corner, Spotlight
Consumer: Pay Checks
Shared Meters, Food Storage Tips
Child Care Corner
Tenant Tip
Recipe

        Even though summer is coming, and you may not have a need to have your heat on, NEVER IGNORE A UTILITY SHUT-OFF! Why? First, the sooner you deal with debts that you may have, the easier it will be, and the better it will be for your credit history. Second, it is especially important to deal with gas or utility shut-offs immediately so that you can maintain service, avoid hefty turn-on fees later or avoid the risk of not being able to have your utility turned on when you really need it. Furthermore, a shut-off notice received in May, and then ignored until November when it starts to get cold again will be very difficult to deal with. Emergency assistance benefits from the Department of Social Services (DSS) will only pay the last 4 months of unpaid bills. Therefore, if you try to deal with that shut-off bill from May in November, you may not be eligible for emergency assistance towards these bills! This article will provide you with information on what to do when you get a termination notice from the utility company.

What do I do if I receive a termination notice from the gas company?

        You should take these steps, in this order:

(1)  Go to the gas company and ask to make a “Deferred Payment Arrangement,” (DPA), with them. If you are very low income, they may offer you a plan to pay your current monthly bills, plus $10.00 extra. If the gas company will not offer you a DPA, ask for the reasons for the denial in writing.

(2)  If it is HEAP season, apply for HEAP benefits. Go to DSS located at the Rath Building 1^st floor, at 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY, Monday through Friday.

(3)  Apply for emergency assistance through DSS. This is separate from HEAP. First get HEAP and then apply for emergency assistance.

What if my utilities are shut off and I am not on public assistance?

        If you are not on public assistance and your utilities have already been or are about to be shut off, you may still be eligible for assistance. You should apply immediately for emergency assistance because in some cases it is only given to applicants for four months immediately proceeding your application. This means that if your gas was shut off in May, and you go to DSS for emergency utility assistance in November, you may not be eligible for emergency assistance.

Will I have to pay back the money I received for emergency assistance?

        In many cases, yes. If you are on public assistance, and it is determined that your grant was used improperly, you may be recouped. If you are recouped, 10% of your grant each month will be taken out to repay the assistance received. If you are not on public assistance, depending on your household income, you may have to repay the grant by entering into a 12-month repayment agreement with DSS. In some cases, DSS may be able to take a lien on your home.

What if I do not keep up with the repayment agreement with DSS?

        If you fail to keep the emergency assistance re-payment agreement and you need emergency assistance at a future date, your emergency application will be denied.

Am I eligible for emergency assistance if I am on a public assistance sanction?

        Yes. You are still eligible for emergency assistance for utilities even if you are currently on a public assistance sanction.

What if my utility bill is not in my name?

        In almost all instances, if the bill is not in your name and you make an application for emergency assistance, you will not receive assistance.

What if I obtained a cash flow sheet from National Fuel stating that I had a negative cash flow but DSS
stated that I had a positive cash flow and refused to give me emergency assistance? What should I do?

        DSS cannot deny emergency assistance because you have a positive cash flow. Contact Neighborhood Legal Services at 847-0650. Make sure to call at 9 a.m. sharp.

What documentation should I bring to DSS if I am requesting Emergency Assistance?

        You must bring:

(1) Proof of I.D;

(2) Proof of all income and expenses for at least 8 weeks;

(3) Receipts for current bills; rent, etc.;

(4) A completed application for emergency assistance;

(5) A statement from NFG stating that they will not offer you a payment arrangement and why;

(6) A HEAP denial letter if there is one; and

(7) A deed to your house (if you own it).

        You should report to the reception window as early as possible.

Are there other programs in our community to help with utility problems?

        Yes. For more information, contact Project Dandelion, or visit the Neighborhood Legal Services’ website at www.nls.org, click on “Public Benefits”, and then look to the section on “Utilities.” These hotline letters outline community programs that help low-income consumers with utility problems. These programs often change due to eligibility and availability, so make sure to call the numbers listed for more information.

Transportation: Get a Job, Get a Ride

        If you have a job and take the bus to work, the Erie County Department of Social Services may be able to help you with transportation costs to help get to your job and become self-sufficient.

        The Get A Job, Get A Ride program in conjunction with the Niagara Frontier Transit Authority provides an all-zone bus pass to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients and individuals who do not receive TANF benefits but have incomes under 200% of the poverty level who have found employment.

        The program, funded by a grant, is designed both as a means to provide financial relief during the transition from welfare to work and as a means to familiarize individuals with available transit services. Program participants may receive the bus pass for up to 18 months depending on individual circumstances.

        If you currently receive TANF assistance and find a job, call your employment counselor for further information on the Get a Job, Get a Ride program. If you are eligible, the counselor will refer you with the proper paperwork to receive a bus pass.

        If you do not receive TANF assistance but are under 200% of poverty, you may still be eligible to receive a bus pass for transportation to work. You will need to be certified in order to be eligible. You will need to bring the following information to the certification interview: I.D., proof of income, and if you are not a citizen, immigration status documentation. Please call Gladys Marrero of the Employment Division of the Department of Social Services at 858-2604 to make an appointment.

        It is with great disappointment that I write this tip. Due to funding cuts at Neighborhood Legal Services, the Front Door Program of Project Dandelion will be ending. After over 8 years of staffing a desk at the Rath Building, I have made so many acquaintances both with clients as well as other agency advocates. Several DSS employees and I have worked hard to develop sound working relationships in the hope of mutually assisting people who are in so many different seasons of their lives. The very foundation of Project Dandelion has always been to offer information, support and hope. It is my hope that I have offered more than merely assistance with each applicant I have served.

        Perhaps someday our services will increase again, but if you have questions, for now please remember to call our Dandelion hotline at 847-0650. Calling hours on the hotline have been limited as well. Please, please, please remember if you have an emergency, call the same number and tell our receptionist what it is. If our office is closed, please call Crisis Services at 834-3131.

        Goodbye. I will truly miss you all.

Project Dandelion commends Maggie on her service to hundreds of clients throughout the years! Her dedication and passion for her work has been inspirational to all. Best of Luck Maggie!

Community Spotlight on:

Mt. Olive Development Corporation

        This month we are spotlighting two programs run by the Mt. Olive Development Corporation, which is located at 701 E. Delavan Avenue in Buffalo.

        The G.O.L.D. Program (Growth Opportunity Learning and Development) provides quality after-school programming for school aged children in grades K through 8th. The program provides tutoring, workshops, cultural enrichment, conflict resolution, and computer classes. The G.O.L.D. program bridges the gap between schools and families by assessing and meeting the needs of the child and family within the community in which they reside.

        Also, the Family-Faith Based Services (FBS) is a home-based program for at-risk families. The goal of the FBS project is to assist families with children from becoming involved in patterns of domestic abuse, child neglect, or participation in juvenile or social services mandated interventions. FBS provides immediate linkages and referrals, home-based services, direct advocacy for youth, short-term case management, and follow-up services.

        For more information on either of these programs you can reach Mt. Olive Development Corporation at 895-1049.

** To have your community organization featured in future Dandelion Connections, call 847-0650, x402, or fax your brief description to 847-0227, Attention: Dandelion Connection.

Consumer Page: What Comes Out of Your Pay Check?

FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. This is your contribution to the Social Security System which provides old-age, survivors and federal disability insurance. The amount taken from your check is matched by your employer. The amount of FICA taken out is the same percentage for all workers.

Medicare Taxes are collected to fund the hospital insurance programs under the Medicare Program. The amount taken from your check is also matched by your employer.

Shared Meters

        Do you live in an apartment building or multi-family home? If so, it is important to be aware of shared utility meters.

Have you ever gone to the market and bought great looking vegetables only to discover that after a few days they are all wilted, or starting to go bad? Follow these tips on vegetable storage in order to make your fruits and vegetables last longer, taste better AND save yourself money!

Broccoli and Cauliflower: Do not rinse, store in loosely wrapped plastic in fridge.

Carrots: Remove greens from whole carrots and store in plastic bag or container in the fridge. Baby carrots will be much crisper and last longer if stored in plastic container submerged in water (remember to change the water!)

Celery: Store tightly wrapped in plastic. If cut into sticks: store in water in order to keep crisp.

Mushrooms: Store in paper bag in the refrigerator. Do not wash mushrooms—instead use a brush to brush off the dirt - washing makes them lose firmness and taste!

Onions: Store in open container in or out of refrigerator. If only using part of the onion—leave peel on the other half, place flat on saucer and cover with plastic wrap, place in refrigerator.

Tomatoes: Storing in the refrigerator makes tomatoes grainy - instead, store in open bowl out of the fridge.

Eggplant: A whole eggplant stored in the fridge will be tougher to chew - instead store in open air.

Lettuce and Greens: Store in the refrigerator crisper, sealed in plastic bag.

        You start your inspection from the moment you walk through the front door. Make sure to bring a notebook and pen with you as you do your inspection. You should not be afraid to speak up and ask the landlord about repairs that you may see that need to be fixed.

        Check out the locks on the doors: do they work well? Does the door fit? Are all of the light fixtures in the hallway operable? Don’t be afraid to turn things on!

        When you are inspecting the living room, family room, dining room and bedrooms check to see that the electrical outlets are covered. How are the rooms heated - radiators, space heaters, vents? When was the last time they were cleaned and /or replaced? Check out the windows for cracks, and if the windows fit in the window frames, and if there are screens. If there are any dangling wires, ask if they are live. Turn on and off all the lights in the apartment, always bring a high watt light bulb with you for two reasons. If your bulb is bright you will be able to see the walls, floors or room you’re in easier, and you will see whether or not all the light fixtures work. Look for cracks, holes or sags in the floors and walls.

        When inspecting the kitchen look at the sink, refrigerator, stove and cabinets. Turn on the water in the sink and let it run; you are looking to see if the water continues to run clear or if it starts to look murky, brown or a yellow color. You also want to see how well the sink drains. Check out the cabinets and look for any traces of mice droppings or roaches in the cabinets. Look to see if the refrigerator is operable, turn on all the burners on the stove top and make sure the oven heats up. If you smell any gas while inspecting the stove, you definitely want to ask questions. For the bathroom, look at the sink, toilet, bath and shower. Make sure to run the water in the bathtub, shower, and sink. Flush the toilet a couple of times to see how well it flushes. Also, inspect the basement and attic; for the basement you want to make sure that there are no signs of flooding or that the basement holds water. For the attic you want to make sure there are no signs of squirrels, bats or birds.

        If you decide that you want the apartment, then it is time to give your landlord the agreed upon security deposit. But if there is something that needs to be fixed and your landlord has agreed to fix it, before you give him the entire security deposit, get it in writing!

Now that it is spring, try this easy asparagus side-dish with an Asian flair!

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