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:
Public Assistance and SSI Budget Changes
Food Stamp Update
Kaleida Low Cost Medical Assistance
Emergency Housing Assistance

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
and SSI BUDGET CHANGES

        If you are getting public assistance and also have a household member who is receiving SSI, a new public assistance budgeting rule is going to affect your grant. And not in a good way. A new law has passed that will allow the Department of Social Services to decrease your cash assistance benefits if there is an SSI recipient in your household.

        Before the new law was passed, DSS ignored, or didn't count, the income of the SSI recipient in the household. That has changed. Now, DSS is counting the SSI recipient's money when budgeting your grant.

        If you are receiving cash assistance, DSS will give you your cash grant based on a percentage of the people living in the household (they didn't use this budgeting method before). So now, for instance, if you have 4 people and in the household, and three are getting cash assistance and one person is getting SSI, DSS would give benefits based on 3/4 of a four person grant (instead of a grant based on a household of three). What this means really is that your grant will now be reduced based on the new budgeting method.

        Example: Lets say there were 4 people in your household. Three were receiving public assistance and one was receiving SSI. In Erie County, a grant for three people is $609.00. Before the new law, that household would get $609 in public assistance. Now that same family will get 3/4 of a household of four. So, 3/4 of a grant for a household of four, with no other income, is $456. Your public assistance grant will be reduced $153.00/month.

        This rule does not apply if the SSI family member is not required to be included in the public assistance case. For instance, where a non-legally responsible relative such as a grandparent who is on SSI lives with a grandchild on public assistance, the child's grant will not be reduced because of this rule

        If you have questions about this or about your new budget, you can call us at 847-0650 and ask for the public benefits unit.

Important Facts You Need To Know About Food Stamps

1. The Food Stamps Program is our country's first line of defense against hunger.
2. Studies show that children who receive proper nourishment do better in school.
3. A good diet can prevent or relieve many ailments common to seniors.
4. Food Stamps help make funds available to seniors so that they may purchase much needed medicine.
5. For people living on fixed incomes, the risk of suffering from health problems related to a poor diet is greater if they cannot buy enough nutritious food to eat.
6. Food Stamps provide individuals with opportunity to purchase healthier foods that might not otherwise be affordable.
7. Good nutrition in all persons increases productivity and leads to better health.

        The Kaleida Health Financial Assistance Program provides free or low cost medical assistance to those who cannot afford to pay their medical bills.

        The Kaleida Health Financial Assistance Program is designed to help patients who have been treated at a Kaleida Health hospital but are unable to pay for the medical services they receive because of financial hardship. Discounts are awarded based upon income and assets verification.

        Only individuals who do not qualify for Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, prenatal care assistance programs and/or state aid based on income will be considered.

        Persons who exceed the income or other guidelines. Persons who have Medicare and are over 65 years old. Call Kaleida for more specific income information.

        The financial assistance program will not cover the doctor's charges, Medicaid client shares, co-payments, deductibles, elective procedures, private room differences or telephone/television charges.

        All persons wishing to access these services or want more information should call 859-2161.

Emergency Housing Issues

I couldn't pay the rent and now I'm being evicted. How can I get help to pay back rent?

* You can apply for emergency rental assistance from DSS. Go to the Housing Unit located on the first floor of the Rath Building, 158 Pearl St., Buffalo.

* You must show that you are being evicted because you owe back rent (arrears). DSS requires court papers or a letter from your landlord threatening to sue you if you don't pay. The letter from your landlord should have a breakdown of the exact months and amounts you owe.

* Under certain circumstances, DSS may ask for the money back, either by recouping future cash assistance or by having you sign a repayment agreement.

* If you go to Window #7 or #8 at DSS and tell the worker that you have an emergency, you must be seen that day. Any denial of assistance must be in writing. If DSS is willing to help, but needs more documentation from you, you should be given a list of items needed and a date to return. If your emergency need must be met the same day, DSS must issue cash or a "guarantee letter" that day. If DSS denies your request, it must be in writing.

* If DSS refuses to pay your back rent, and your landlord is threatening to evict you, call our office immediately at 847-0650 and ask for the Housing Unit. We will review DSS's decision with you. We will tell you how to challenge the decision. We may agree to take your case.

* You will need to find an apartment that is affordable. The maximum amount you can pay for rent varies according to household size and utilities. DSS uses these numbers as a guideline:

                                1 person             2 people              3 people              4 people              5 people

with children               $309                   $314                    $401                   $449                    $477

Without children         $269                   $301                    $315                   $334                    $354

When you find an apartment you will need to bring your completed landlord statement to DSS so you can get your rent.

* Belmont Shelter Corp. (1195 Main St, 884-7791) and the Rental Assistance Center (470 Franklin St, 882-0063) usually have apartment listings for individuals who need to find affordable housing. If you want counseling or help in finding an affordable home, you can also contact Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) at 854-1400. If you are homeless you can call Crisis Services at 834-3131.

* You can apply for Section 8 assistance at the Rental Assistance Center and at Belmont . The waiting list for Section 8 is very long; however, they often have shorter lists for individuals who meet criteria for various special programs. Always ask if you might be eligible for one of these special Section 8 programs. You can call Belmont at 884-7791 and the Rental Assistance Center (RAC) at 882-0063.

* You can apply for public housing at the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority. BMHA has guidelines for acceptance, however, if you are denied you can ask for a review and contact our office for advice.

* DSS can sometimes help with moving expenses. Go to Window #7 at the Rath Building and ask for assistance.

* DSS can only pay for moving expenses if you are moving to a less expensive apartment or you are under extreme circumstances. For DSS, extreme circumstances are: homelessness, transition out of a shelter, leaving a dangerous or abusive environment, natural disasters, building condemnation, or serious medical conditions that require different housing arrangements.

* DSS will only provide moving expenses if they determine the apartment you are moving to is "affordable." If you are on Public Assistance, your new rent should be no more than $100 over your shelter allowance, as shown in the chart on the previous page. If you have other income, DSS may allow a higher rent.

* If you are denied moving expenses or you have questions about this program, feel free to contact our office at 847-0650.

* DSS sometimes helps people pay security deposits or get security agreements. To apply, go to Window #7 at the Rath Building.

* DSS only provides security deposits if you are moving to a cheaper place or if you are in extreme circumstances. For DSS, extreme circumstances are: homelessness, transition out of a shelter, leaving a dangerous or abusive environment, natural disasters, building condemnation, or serious medical conditions that require different housing arrangements.

* DSS may require you to pay back a cash grant for a security deposit over a period of time, usually a year.

* DSS may provide a security deposit either by a "security agreement" with the landlord or by a cash security deposit. A security agreement is a form DSS gives the landlord promising to pay damages you owe when you move out. In return, the landlord will let you move in without paying a security deposit. If you get a security agreement and DSS ends up having to pay your landlord, it can be taken out of your grant.

* If your landlord will not accept the "security agreement" DSS may provide a cash payment to the landlord. Your landlord must indicate "cash security only" when s/he fills out your DSS landlord form.

* If you are denied a security deposit or you have questions about this program, feel free to contact our office at 847-0650.

* DSS can pay to move your belongings to a storage place and pay to store them, if you are financially eligible.

* DSS can also pay for your things to be moved out of storage and moved to your permanent home.

* You can apply for this benefit at Window #7 or #8 at the Rath building. You can contact our office if you feel you are unfairly denied.

* If you have no place to stay, go to Window #7 at the Rath Building and ask for assistance. DSS must find you a space in a shelter or a hotel room if the shelters are full.

* Crisis Services (834-3131) can also help people find space in shelters and provide other assistance.

* You can contact shelters directly and ask for a bed.

The largest shelters in Buffalo are:

City Mission
(for men)
100 E. Tupper St
Buffalo, New York 14203
(716) 845-8181

Salvation Army
(No single men)
960 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14202
(716) 884-4798

Little Portions
(for adults)
1305 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14209
(716) 882-5705

Haven House
(domestic violence shelter)
(716) 884-4000

Cornerstone
(for women and children)
45 Carlton Street
Buffalo, New York 14203
(716) 852-0761

* If you are already on Public Assistance and you find yourself homeless, make sure your caseworker knows of your changed circumstances to avoid an overpayment. If they pay your shelter allowance and you have no rent expense, you will have to pay the money back.

* You can apply for Public Assistance at the Rath Building. There is a 45 day waiting period for cash benefits if you are single with no children, or 30 days if you have children. DSS will not open your case early just because you are homeless. However, you may be eligible for emergency food stamps, which must be available within 5 calendar days. If you are staying at a motel you may be eligible for a restaurant allowance. If you are denied, contact our office.

* Yes, DSS will only help you one time in a five year period. DSS can pay up to 6 months arrears, but only one time in the 5 year period.

Do you need help with student loans?

Overwhelmed by paperwork from your loans? Did you pay for a vocational school, and never complete the course?

Are you delinquent with your payments? Are you in default? Are your wages being garnished?

Project Dandelion can help.

Income eligible clients can get free advice and assistance. Call to register for one of our free clinics. Clinics are held on the first TUESDAY of every month. Register today. We meet at 2:00 p.m. Call 847-0650 for more information.

PROJECT DANDELION

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