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Access to
Benefits
Around the country, millions of families are not receiving the benefits
for which they are eligible or to which they are entitled. The “lawless”
implementation of public benefit programs (including Medicaid, food stamps
and child care) includes burdensome application procedures (some in violation
of federal law), and a culture of discrimination and intimidation at the
welfare office.
In 2001, the Welfare Justice Project launched an Access-to Benefits campaign
to address these issues. Our first event was a Public Hearing on problems
with how the Food Stamp Program is administered in Allegheny County. We
used the hearing to introduce our 9 policy demands. The demands were derived
from consumers’ real life problems with getting on or staying on
assistance.
FOOD STAMP/ Access-to-Benefits DEMANDS
1. Will you implement and post a Client Bill of Rights in all welfare
offices in Allegheny County so all food stamp recipients are treated with
respect and dignity?
____YES ____ NO
2. Will you change DPW policy that will allow clients to have at least
10- business days, as opposed to 10 calendar days, to file for an appeal
without losing their benefits?
____YES ____ NO
3. Will you change DPW policy to entitle clients to 10 business days (instead
of two) notice of appointments?
____YES ____NO
4. Will you exercise the new state option to use TANF vehicle rules for
the Food Stamp Program? (This means excluding the value of one car when
calculating a household’s resources.)
____YES ____NO
5. Will you adopt the new Federal Transitional Benefits Alternative policy
immediately?
____YES ____ NO
6. Will you implement a voicemail system for caseworkers in all ACAO offices?
____YES ____ NO
7. Will you implement a pilot project in Allegheny County that offers
extended office hours so working families will be able to access the program?
____YES ____ NO
8. Will you designate a staff person in all ACAO offices to distribute
and work with ACCESS cards during all operating business hours?
____YES ____ NO
9.
Will you implement a policy in Allegheny County where it is a client choice
which office they want to go?
____YES ____ NO
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