THE DANDELION CONNECTION
Volume 5 Issue 1
(716) 847-0655 ext. 216
January/February 1997
Copyright 1997, Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.
FOOD STAMPS
In our last newsletter, we told you about the welfare reform law signed by President Clinton in August and how it changes the cash assistance programs. The same law also creates major changes in the food stamps program. The new bill will cut close to $28 billion from the food stamp program over the next 6 years. The loss in benefits to individual households will be in the range of 28-39% a year.
What this means is, your food stamps are probably going to be reduced very soon! If you applied for food stamps after September 21, 1996, the new law has been applied to your case and your food stamps are already at the reduced level. If you are currently receiving food stamps, your food stamps will be reduced after your next recertification.
The way the law reduces your stamps is by changing several of the food stamp budgeting rules. For example, certain types of income (such as money paid to public assistance recipients for their utilities) previously did not count against individuals when a worker figured out their food stamp budget. Now, this income counts, and that means less food stamps.
Also, if children under the age of 22 live in the same house with their parents, these children must be included as part of the same food stamp household as their parents, even if their spouse and/or their own children also live with them. (This did not used to be the case.)
Another big change has to do with work requirements. Under the new law, if you are between the ages of 18 and 49, and are not disabled, you must work or you will only receive food stamps for 3 months in any 36-month period. After 3 months, you must work at least 20 hours a week at your own job, or participate at least 20 hours a week in a food stamp employment and training program, or participate in "workfare" (where DSS places you in a job). Notices telling you about this 36-month time-frame and the 3-month limit should have been sent out to you by the state by November 22, 1996. Be aware that the 36-month clock begins ticking on the date the notice is sent out or on November 22nd, whichever is earlier.
The new law also increases the penalty period for food stamp fraud. Fraud is committed when a person applying for or receiving food stamps conceals information or lies about something that she knew or should have known would effect eligibility for food stamps. A common example of this is when an individual begins working, doesn't report the earnings to DSS, and keeps receiving food stamps.
If DSS finds that an individual has committed fraud, the offending household member (although not the whole household) will have his/her portion of the food stamp case closed for:
(1) one year for the
first offense;
(2) two years for the second offense; and
(3) permanently for the third offense.
Lastly, the new law has made most legal immigrants (even people who have green cards) ineligible for any food stamps until they become citizens. (There are a few, limited exceptions to this. See next month's newsletter for more detailed information on immigrants).
What do all these changes add up to? Less food stamps C in some cases, a lot less. Studies show that food stamp benefits last only through the first three weeks of each month (a fact that anyone receiving food stamps knows very well). In light of this, the new law is definitely going to create real hard times for many, many people. If you haven't done so already, you should consider coming to a Dandelion weekly meeting for support and more information regarding the law and your options as well as ideas on Astretching your dollar@. There's not a moment to spare!
CAP - WHAT'S THAT?
When a representative from the CAP program asked individuals how much they knew about CAP, it was interesting to note some of the responses he received:
"I'm sorry, I don't need any CAP, my children already have health insurance" (actually referring to CHIP-Child Health Care Plus).
"No one is my family is disabled, but I'll be sure to tell someone else about your program!@ (In this instance, they were actually referring to CAP, the Client Assistance Program, which assists disabled individuals)
It's obvious that the public needs to know more about the CAP program, since it is one of the most important ways in which individuals can make the transition from welfare to work at a much smoother pace.
CAP stands for "Child Assistance Program" and was introduced to Erie County in 1994. CAP is an alternative to AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) and also to the upcoming TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families).
Presently, after the first several months on AFDC, working recipients lose almost a dollar for every dollar they earn on the job due to the loss of the work disregards. CAP lets wage earners keep most of the money they earn, which allows their incomes to be 27% higher than those on AFDC. Under CAP, you are allowed to receive all the child support collected by the Department of Social Services, whereas in AFDC, families only get the first $50.00 of the child support collected.
Cash is given in place of food stamps to remove the stigma which many individuals have regarding the receipt of food stamps. This also helps to bring individuals as close as possible to living in the working world without the benefits of government assistance.
An added feature to the CAP program is that their office is located at 290 Main Street, away from what many consider to be the "Dreaded Rath Building" (Once you go in, you never know when you'll come out.) CAP casemanagers also have a smaller caseload than AFDC workers, which provides for a much more relaxed atmosphere.
To be eligible for CAP:
C. You must be on public assistance with at least one child.
C. You must have a child support order - (if DSS has not been able to collect support on behalf of the child as of yet, or the child's father is not currently working, you may still apply)C. You must be working at least 20 hours per week.
If you do not currently have a child support order for your children, stay tuned for our next newsletter where we'll talk more about child support, or come to our Feb. 11th Project Dandelion meeting.
For more information regarding CAP,
call 853-5020.
HEALTH WATCH
EATING DISORDERS
By Dr. Cheryl
Nohehl
One thing I dreaded most at holidays was "body comments" from family members. I was quite average in size but my 5= tall, 98-pound aunt would tell me that I was putting on too much weight C I really didn't need to eat dessert. My 5=3@, 210-pound aunt would tell me that I was pale and wasn't eating enough as she pushed another piece of whipped-cream covered coconut cream pie onto my plate.
As a society, we place a great deal of emphasis on beauty and body image. We often place undue stress on a child's weight or appearance. While not directly caused by our concern with appearances, eating disorders are increasing in men, women and children at all stages of life.
These disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia, have a high long-term mortality rate when severe. Milder forms lead to significant physical and psychological difficulties. Most eating disorders have their beginnings in childhood, often related to how a parent teaches a child to look at themselves and at food.
Anorexia Nervosa
exists when a person refuses to maintain their body weight at or above a minimally normal weight for age and height. There is a preoccupation with body weight and food. He or she has an intense fear of gaining weight or becoming fat. The person has a distorted appreciation of his or her body weight and shape. He often looks in mirrors to be sure that he is thin enough. He talks constantly about looking fat and feeling flabby. Often he or she collects recipes and prepares elaborate meals for families, reflecting a preoccupation with food. He hides starchy foods and hoards candies, often carrying them in pockets. He secretly disposes of food to avoid eating.
Anorectic individuals lose weight by drastically reducing their total food intake, decreasing intake of certain foods, or by exercising excessively. They may be obsessed with cleanliness, often cleaning house constantly. As students, they study compulsively. Some will binge-and-purge while others will not. We know that there is a familial pattern.
The disorder frequently begins after a period of severe food deprivation such as dieting for attractiveness or for competitiveness as an athlete, excessive stress or after surgery or involuntary starvation. When the condition continues long term, there can be severe cardiac, nutritional and chemical disturbances. Sometimes these come from overuse of medicines like ipecac (used to induce vomiting) or laxatives that the person uses to control weight. Treatment involves medically stabilizing the individual and behavior therapy and medication, if needed.
Bulimia
is binge eating. It is more common in female students at universities and high schools. Binge eating can occur in normal weight individuals. The binge eater has at least two episodes a week where they consume far more food in a discrete time period than most people would eat in a similar amount of time. They continue this pattern for at least three months. They stop binging due to abdominal pain. After binging, they may induce vomiting or sleep C but do feel guilty and disgusted with themselves. They feel that they lack control and fear that they cannot stop eating. Often the person has signs of depression and a poor concept of themselves. Treatment consists of behavior therapy and, sometimes, medication.
Summary
It is not easy to recognize the early stages of eating disorders. Newer studies suggest that when a parent has an eating disorder, the parent may teach his eating patterns to his child simply by the way he eats. To avoid problems, we need to be aware of age-appropriate nutrition and feeding patterns with the goal of maintaining weight in a healthy range. We need moderate exercise.
Healthy eating patterns come from meal planning and include eating breakfast. Lower fat foods are appropriate but more important is a "family meal" where there are no comments on what one eats or their weight. The family meal is the best time to teach reasonable eating behaviors including how to respond to body cues of hunger and fullness.
When we suspect that a person has an eating disorder, full family involvement is critical to avoid severe long-term consequences. By developing appropriate eating habits and self-concepts, we can decrease the number of families affected by these disorders.
TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY....
THAT IS THE QUESTION !
10 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF BEFORE BUYING:
1. Do I really need
it now?
2. Is the price right?
3. Is this the best time to buy?
4. Can I pay cash for it?
5. Is there a substitute for this?
6. What are any major disadvantages to buying
this item?
7. Have I researched the item?
8. Will the item contribute to our family
unity? (Will it cause more problems than it=s worth?)
9. Does it require expensive upkeep?
10. Will I be able to maintain payments?
PLAN BEFORE YOU BUY
KEEP YOUR WANTS REALISTIC & WITHIN REACH
LOOK GOOD . . . FEEL GOOD
By Fayetah Goggins
"When you look good you feel good."
This famous quote is commonly spoken in today's society, but when it comes to the business (employment) world, it is an important rule to live by.
Do you know that it takes three seconds to make a good or bad first impression? When venturing out into the world of employment, you need an outfit that makes a statement that you're assertive, industrious and classy. Here's a few tips that worked to my advantage during my job search.
1) SMALL ACCESSORIES
Jewelry, shoes, and purses that don't take the attention away from the entire suit are appropriate. Remember these are accents to an outfit.
2) LIGHT OR NO PERFUME
This can be accomplished by not applying perfume on the wrists. It's good to smell appealing, but you don't want to make the wrong statement with a strong fragrance.
3) MILD COLORS
Employers usually favor dark or fall colors such as black, blue, or brown. Note: If necessary, you can have a richer color to replace the bright ones. For example, burgundy instead of red, or rust instead of orange.
WHERE TO SHOP:
There are two types of stores which can give you quality for a steal. One source is your discount shop, such as a thrift or consignment store. Rummage and garage sales are also places where designer clothing and accessories are sold at give-a-way prices. Another source where you can find bargains is the trendy department stores such as Marshall's, TJ Maxx, JC Penny's, Sears and even Kaufmann's, just to name a few. The "secret" to finding a sale in these stores is to look for the clearance racks. There you can find outfits as low as $10, and some for less. You may find that some clothing might be out of season, but it's still an advantage to be prepared for the upcoming months.
REMEMBER:
FASHION IS AN INVESTMENT
TO YOUR JOB SUCCESS!!!!
Your Help is Needed
Project Dandelion believes that a crucial element to obtaining self sufficiency and surviving transition is moral support. If you feel that a Dandelion C male or female C could benefit from knowing you and your experiences you may be interested in helping us develop a mentoring program. Call 847-0650 ext 216 for information.
Holy Cross Head Start
Holy Cross Head Start, a delegate agency of Community Action Organization of Erie County (CAO), is currently recruiting 4-year old low-income pre-school children for the 1996/97 school year for the Full Day Program. This includes disabled children. This is a FREE program.
Eligibility requirements:
Child must be
four (4) years of age and born before January 1, 1992
Parent must be either:
Enrolled in School (full time) or
In Job Training (full time) or
Employed (full time) or
Have a Documented Special Need
Proof is Required !
To complete an application, or for more information, please contact the center listed below:
Holy Cross Head Start, una Agencia Delegada de la Organizaci\n Comunidad en Acci\n del Condado de Erie (CAO), esta al presente reclutando niZos pre-escolares de 4 aZos de edad y de bajos ingresos para el aZo escolar 1996/97 Programa de todo el dRa, (incluyendo niZos incapacitados). Este programa es GRATIS.
Requerimientos de Elegibilidad
Los niZos tiene que tener cuatro (4) aZos de edad y nacidos en o antes del 1 de enero del 1992.
Padres deben de ser:
Matriculado en la Escuela (tiempo com pleto) o
En un Entrenamiento de Trabajo (tiempo completo) o
Empleado (tiempo completo)
Tener una necesidad especial documentada
Prueva es Requerida !
Para completar una aplicaci\n, o para obtener m<s informaci\n, favor de comunicarse con los siguientes centros anotados m<s abajo:
Holy Cross Center
Nativity Center
Northwest Center
(Centro Holy Cross)
(Centro Nativity)
(Centro Noethwest)
150 Maryland Street
210 Albany Street
155 Lawn Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14201
Buffalo, NY 14213
Buffalo, NY 14207
(716) 852-8373
(716) 883-7062
(716) 877-5022
ALERT:
CHILDREN ON SSI!
The SSI laws have changed! Many children now getting SSI in Erie County may no longer be eligible. Social Security is beginning to review children's SSI cases.
IF YOUR CHILD'S CASE IS GOING TO BE REVIEWED, YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE RECENTLY FROM SOCIAL SECURITY. It is a two-page notice that says on the front page: "This letter is for informational purposes only." The letter explains how your child's case will be reviewed. The important part of the letter is on page 2 where it says: "What you should do now"..
READ THIS SECTION AND DO WHAT IT SAYS. YOU MUST BEGIN DEVELOPING A MEDICAL OR EDUCATIONAL RECORD OF YOUR CHILD'S PROBLEMS, BECAUSE SOCIAL SECURITY MAY NOT !
Begin building a record of your child's disability. Gather medical or educational records, letters from doctors, teachers or any other source you can think of to show that your child has a severely disabling condition. If your child is learning disabled, make sure you have a current Individualized Educational Plan. If your child has a medical or psychiatric problem, make sure she is in on-going treatment.
DON'T WAIT! START NOW!
Inspiration
Michelle Gordon, a Dandelion, sent in this poem. It was not actually written by her, but she stated that it just about summed up her life as a Dandelion. It's a poem for the One Parent Family:
Father,
life has played a trick on me
And I'm not sure I'm ready for it.
I never expected
to have to raise these children by myself.
But here I am, feeling so alone and helpless.
You are
going to have to do
some
multiplication for me.
Double the love in my heart.
Double my trust and understanding for them.
Multiply by two my patience
when they are
being
what they are
supposed to be;
JUST KIDS!
It's going to be tough, but I'm ready if You
are.
This really won't be a single parent family,
since You are in
it with me.
I'm counting on You, Amen.
. . . Author unknown.
Weekly Tuesday Meetings
Tuesday,
January 28
1:00 p.m.
Focus on Stress Management
Crisis Services Comes to Project Dandelion
Tuesday,
February 11
1:00 p.m.
Focus on Child Support
Cindy Chandler, Esq., Guest Speaker
Potluck Dinners
Tuesday,
January 21
5:30 p.m.
Theme: Sticking to
those New Year=s Resolutions
Tuesday,
February 18
5:30 p.m.
Theme: Dress for
Success C Fashions by Faye
All
meetings are held at:
Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.
Ellicott Square Building
295 Main Street, Room 495
Buffalo NY 14203
Project Dandelion
Neighborhood Legal Services
295 Main Street
Ellicott Square Bldg. Rm. 495
Buffalo NY 14203