HomeMy WebLinkAbout20031344.tiff CORRESPONDENCE RESPONSE
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DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
P.O. BOX A
GREELEY,CO. 80632
Website:www.co.weld.co.us
Administration and Public Assistance(970)352-1551
Child Support(970)352-6933
11111ge
May 7, 2003
•
COLORADO
Ms. Paula Morrison
P. O. Box 1011
Hudson, Colorado 80642
Dear Ms. Morrison:
I am writing in response to your letter of April 1, 2003 to Congressman Scott McInnis.
Congressman McInnis asked Commissioner David E. Long, Weld County, to review your
concerns. I am responding on behalf of Commissioner Long and Judy Griego, the
Director of the Department of Social Services.
I have reviewed your applications for assistance and will first review with you the
circumstances of those applications.
1. Our records indicate that you applied for Food Stamps and your husband
applied for Aid to the Needy Disabled on February 24, 2003. There are three
people in your household, yourself, your husband and a minor child. Your
application for food stamps was processed and approved on April 24, 2003. Food
Stamp benefits were issued in the following amounts, $56.00 for February,
$366.00 for March, and $328.00 for May. The certification period will end on
May 31, 2003 and you will need to re-certify your eligibility prior to that time.
The time period between your food stamp application and the approval of benefits
is a concern for us. We have, however, experienced significant delays in
processing benefits due to the large volume of applicants applying for all public
assistance programs. We try to process everyone's application as quickly as
possible.
2. Mr. Morrison's application for Aid to the Needy Disabled (A.N.D.) was denied
as his income exceeds the eligibility limit. Mr. Morrison had unearned income of
$724.00 in February due to unemployment benefits. Mr. Morrison, although he
had no income in March, was not eligible for Aid to the Needy Disabled in March
as there is a 30-day waiting period as a State eligibility requirement. Our records
indicate that you (Ms. Morrison) returned to work in March. Your income, after
appropriate disregards, is considered when determining your husband's eligibility
for A.N.D and subsequently is in excess of the eligibility guidelines.
I would be glad to go over the eligibility requirements of any of the programs managed
by the Department of Social Services with you. Eligibility is often times confusing and
each program has different rules that must be considered. A family's combined income
is considered rather than an individual member's income in most programs. If the above
information is not correct please contact me immediately and we will again review your
situation and eligibility.
Of great concern to me are your suggestions that favoritism might be used in serving the
public at the Weld County Department of Social Services. We strive to treat all
individuals and applications for assistance consistently and with compassion. As much
as possible, we serve individuals on a"first come first serve"basis. Certainly however,
there are no two individuals or families that are exactly alike. When additional
verifications or information is needed, it often times take longer to process applications.
Once again, I do regret the length of time it is taking to process applications at this time.
We are striving to provide benefits as quickly as possible to those in need. Please also
keep in mind that the rules and regulations are the same for everyone in each program.
County Departments have very little flexibility in determining eligibility in specific
program areas.
I would like to inform you that I have also referred your letter and concerns to the
Colorado Department of Human Services to review as a civil rights complaint against the
Weld County Department of Social Services.
Once again, I would be glad to discuss your applications for assistance with you at any
time. If the information contained in this letter is not accurate or if you have any
questions please call me at 970-352-1551, extension 6300.
Sincerely,
Richard Rowe
Assistance Payments Administrator
Weld County Department of Social Services
CC The Honorable Scott McInnis, United States Congressman
//David E. Long, Weld County Commissioner
Judy Griego, Director- Weld County Department of Social Services
Roy Shaw, Colorado Department of Human Services—Food Assistance Division
SCOTT McINNIS WASHINGTON OFFICE
3D DISTRICT,COLORADO 320 CANNON BUILDING
WASHINGTON,DC 20515-0603
12021225-4761
COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS FAX.12021226 0622
COMMITTEE ON RESOURCES CongrtoO of tlje Initeb ,tateo DISTRICT OFFICES134
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FORESTS AND FOREST HEALTH tt�{(� ]� FAX'.X191 543-8204
aaington, De 20515-0603 225 NORTH 5TH STREET
SUITE]02
GRAND JUNCTION,CO 81501
,1 19701 245-7107
April 24, 2003 A%19]01245-2194
L 1060 MAIN AVENUE
102
DURANGO,CO 91301
19701 259-2754
FAX (9701 259-2762
The Honorable David Long 526PINESTREET
5UITE111
County Commissioner GLENw°°D SPR1Ncs.°o 916°'
/. 19]01928-0637
Weld County 9]01928-°630
PO Box 758
Greeley, Colorado 80632
Dear David:
My Glenwood Springs Congressional office has been contacted
by a constituent with a matter of concern with the county of
Weld.
Since issues raised by Paula Morrison are beyond my
jurisdiction as a federal official, I am forwarding this inquiry
to your office for a response that you deem appropriate.
Any information or assistance that you can provide would be
greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Scott McInnis
Member of Congress
SM:hs
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Tuesday, April 01, 2003
To Whom It May Concern:
I am hoping that this letter will open the eyes of the American People. The
ones who need help from our Government and fine out later they can't get
it. I am one of those Americans. I just like the rest of you have worked my
whole life and so as my husband "who is now disabled". You pay into the
Government hoping that one day when you really need the help you will be
able to get it... Well guess again! Everything you have worked so hard to
get will be taken away from you in a matter of minutes.
When my husband became disabled we went to sign up for disability.
Once signed up they sent us to Social Services to get food stamps and
A&D. Well guess what???? We could only have one vehicle, our house
and no money in a saving or checking account. Which is just what we had
is nothing. My husband hadn't been able to work since October 2002. I
was the only one bringing in the money. But where I worked they would
soon be slowing down so I was part-time.
The thing that really got me was that there was another person setting
across from us in the other office. He couldn't speak any English but was
getting the royal treatment. Where we was getting blown off. We filled out
all of their paper work and got it to them. That was in Feb. 24th, 2003. The
other person walks out with food stamps and money. We walked out with
nothing. Still waiting to here from them. It is now April 1, 2003 and still no
word. Every time I call there is always and excuse. Its being looked at or
at someone else desk. Now how come when a Anglo- American goes in
for help, which they have paid into all of their lives. Gets nothing in
return. But should you be a Hispanic you walk out with everything in hand.
And never have to pay it in or pay it back to the government????
I feel like the government has violated my whole family. This is the first
time I have ever had to have help.
,There needs to be something done about the way the system is. I know I
can't be the only American that has had this problem. I feel like if you need
the help you should be able to get it with out being told you have to give up
everything you worked so hard for. Why pay taxes if you can't get the
help once in a wh!!c. I know now why there is so much hatred in the
United States. They make us that way. Giving our hard earn money to the
people that come over here illegal. They have more rights then we do as
Americans.
There really needs to be closed border between Mexico and the United
States. They know how to work the system better then we ever will.
So lets put a stop to that...
A Concerned American Citizen with no Rights
Paula Morrison
Box 1011
Hudson, CO 80642
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