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:
10 Things You Should Know Now That You Are Getting SSI
Emergency Assistance
Transitional Utility Assistance
Earned Income Tax Credit

10 Things You Should Know Now That You Are Getting SSI

Did you just get your SSI award? Did you get a retroactive benefit? Are you already getting SSI? If so, this article can teach you some things you should know in order to maximize your SSI benefits and status. For instance:

1. Do you get Food Stamps? If you have been getting Food Stamps while you were waiting for the Social Security Administrations decision about your SSI benefits, you may be entitled to extra Food Stamp benefits. Ask your Food Stamp worker to recalculate your budget based on your date of eligibility for disability benefits. (You can find this date in your fair hearing decision.) In some cases you may be entitled to a retroactive Food Stamp grant as well!

2. Do you have outstanding Student Loans? Did you take out student loans before you became disabled? If so, you may be eligible for a discharge of all those loans. Your doctor must sign a form that states that you are totally and permanently disabled. If you want more information on student loan discharges, call 847-0650.

3. Is there a lien on your house? Were you on public assistance while your SSI case was pending? Did you have minor children in your case? Did you have to sign a lien on your property? If so, then when the Social Security Administration calculates your SSI retroactive check it is possible they should not count your public assistance income at all. This would mean that you may be entitled to a higher retroactive award. If this sounds like it applies to you, call our office at 847-0650 and ask for the public benefits unit.

4. Do you get Food Stamps and/or Medicaid? Did you get a retroactive award? Do you know how the "lump sum" or retroactive award will affect these benefits? For Medicaid purposes, you have 6 months to spend the award or "lump sum" before it affects your Medicaid benefits. Keep receipts for the things you buy with the money to show your Medicaid worker where the money went. For Food Stamp purposes, the money you receive as a retroactive award will not affect your Food Stamp benefits at all.

5. Do you want to go to work? Did you know that if you are on SSI you may still be able to work and keep your SSI and Medicaid benefits? We set up face-to-face interviews with anyone who is interested in finding out how work affects their benefits. Call our office and ask for the Work Incentive Benefit Advisement Project and ask to meet with a benefits advisor. In some cases we can help with a PASS Plan. A PASS plan can help you set aside some of your earnings so your earnings will not reduce your SSI benefits. This is one way of preparing for future goals by setting aside money for things like college, a small business, or getting necessary equipment.

6. Do you want Food Stamps? Now that you are getting SSI benefits, you may be entitled to Food Stamp benefits too. If you live alone you will get them automatically, but you will only get $10 a month. However, you may be eligible for more depending on your circumstances. Contact your Food Stamp worker to ask about your Food Stamp amount. Once your worker has all the facts of your case, your Food Stamp benefits could increase. If you want help with the food stamp process, call Darlene White at Neighborhood Legal Services at 847-0650.

7. Do you have outstanding debts or judgments? Did you know that now that you are an SSI recipient, you are collection proof? This means that although a creditor can get a judgment against you if you default on a debt, they cannot collect on the debt. They cannot take your SSI and they cannot restrain your bank account even if there is a judgment against you.

8. Did you get a Utility Shut-Off notice? Are you facing an Eviction? Did you know that you can get help with utility and rent emergencies from Emergency Assistance at the Department of Social Services? If you have a shut-off notice, in many instances, the Department of Social Services must pay 4 months of your utility bill and also guarantee your next six months of payments. DSS can also pay back rent to avoid an eviction. If you have this, or any other emergency, contact DSS at 95 Franklin Street in Buffalo, First Floor, Window 7. Tell the worker that you are receiving SSI and that you are facing an emergency. If you do not get the help that you need to prevent the emergency, ask for a written denial and contact our office at 847-0650.

9. Do you have Utility Bills? If you receive Food Stamps and get SSI, you are automatically eligible for HEAP. If you do not get Food Stamps, you may still be eligible for HEAP benefits, but you have to apply. Most SSI recipients can apply for HEAP by mail. You can also apply for weatherization for your home. Contact DSS for an application.

10. Do you live in a household with both Public Assistance and SSI recipients? If so, in most instances, Public Assistance workers must count the SSI income when determining the public assistance grant. The Department of Social Services uses a pro -rated method. For instance, if there are 3 people who live in your house and one gets SSI and the other two get public assistance, then the public assistance grant will be 2/3 of a 3 person household grant. For questions about PA/SSI budgeting, contact our office at 847-0650

Emergency Housing Issues

        Take this newsletter with you to the Department of Social Services (DSS) the next time you have an emergency. This article outlines both your and DSS' responsibilities when you have an emergency. Knowing what you need before you go to the Rath Building can save you lots of time and aggravation!!

Do You Have An Emergency?

DSS must be available to provide emergency assistance to you during regular business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Erie County DSS is located at the Rath Building, 95 Franklin Street. First Floor, Window 7.

If you have a situation that has to be taken care of the same day you apply, (for example, you have no food, no utilities, no shelter, or you have to go to court the next day because you are being evicted), you have a right to be interviewed that day and you also have a right to a written decision concerning your case.

If the situation is not immediate, you must receive a notice the same day explaining to you what documentation you need to bring back with you to Social Services in order to get help.

If You Have No Food

If you have no food and your monthly income is less than $150.00, or your rent/mortgage and utility expenses are more than your gross monthly income or resources, you may be eligible for expedited food stamps. If you are eligible for expedited food stamps, they must be issued to you within 5 business days. DSS will give you a pantry referral or voucher in the meantime.

To get this help, you must provide DSS with:

ID, and

Verbal information about your income.

Do You HaveA Housing Emergency?

If you are being evicted, or are moving to a new residence, you may be eligible for help with moving, storage, security deposit, first month's rent, and/or a rental arrears payment.

To get this help you must provide DSS with:

ID, and

Proof of Income, and

Landlord form for your new apartment, and

Verification of your reason for moving
(For instance- An eviction notice, doctor's statement or health department report.)

Utility Problems

If you have a shut-off notice or if your utilities are already shut off, you may be eligible for help with your utility arrears.

To get this help you must provide DSS with:

Shut-off notice, and

ID, and

Proof of Income for household, and

Verification of household expenses, and

A financial statement from the utility company showing attempted payment arrangements.

No Place to Stay

If you are homeless or are about to become homeless, DSS must provide you with shelter the day you apply.

To get this help you must provide DSS with:

ID, and

Proof of Western New York Homelessness if you have it.

*** Depending on individual circumstances other information may be required.

If you are denied or turned away during normal business hours, please contact us at 847-0650. Always ask for a written denial if you are not given the help that you need to avert the emergency.

If you are homeless and need assistance after hours you can contact Crisis Services at 834-3131.

National Fuel's CARES Program

Did you know that National Fuel recently announced its Customer Assistance Referral and Evaluation Services Program (CARES)?

National Fuel's CARES Program is designed to assist transitional Public Assistance customers with the payment of their gas utility bills. Transitional Public Assistance customers are those who are leaving the Department of Social Services' (DSS ) Public Assistance system and are working toward achieving financial self-sufficiency.

The program is open to New York National Fuel customers only (active or establishing an account) as of November 1, 2004. The customer must be transitioning off of the public assistance system. The customer must have a household income that is less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty level.

All referrals are made to the Salvation Army by County DSS caseworkers only. You must go through your caseworker at DSS to get this assistance.

Participants will receive a one-time only $400 grant that will be credited to their account. Participants will also have assessment, referral and follow-up by The Salvation Army.

The 2004 Earned Income Tax Credit

The Federal and State Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) are for working people who earn low or moderate incomes. The credits reduce taxes you might owe or provide you with a refund if you do not owe any taxes. For instance:

Families with one child who earn less than $30,338 are eligible for a maximum federal EITC credit up to $2,604. Married workers can earn up to $31,338 and be eligible for the EITC.

Families with two or more children who earn less than $34, 458 are eligible for a maximum federal EITC credit of up to $4,300. Married workers can earn up to $35,458 and be eligible for the EITC.

Workers with no children who earn less than $11,490 and who are between 25 and 64 years of age are eligible for a maximum federal EITC credit up to $382. Married workers can earn less than $12,490 and be eligible for the EITC.

You can also get a New York State EITC. The New York State credit is 30% of the federal credit. In order to get the New York state credit, you must claim the federal earned income tax credit for 2004 and you must file a NY state income tax return even if you would not otherwise have to file return.

Need help with the EITC? Call 1-800-443-3200.

Recently a new law was passed to protect the EITC. It used to be that all of your EITC tax refund could be seized if you owed money for a non-fraudulent overpayment of public assistance. The new law now limits this seizure to only 10% of the EITC. The rest stays in your pocket!

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

Who are we?

Our mission is to assist and encourage low income families and individuals in their efforts to attain self-sufficiency through training, support, newsletters and legal services.

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