Advocacy Resources       WJP Action Food Stamp Hearing Progress State Welfare officials are showing more willingness to address the issues raised at the Welfare Justice Project (WJP) February Food Stamp Hearing. At the hearing WJP leaders demanded nine policy changes of DPW. Personal testimonies from WJP leaders and community members clearly illustrated how our policy recommendations could alleviate many of the barriers that low-income families face to accessing the Food Stamp program. Several issues were solved at the local level by the Allegheny County Assistance Office in the weeks following the hearing. The more critical issues required further dialogue with the state Welfare administrators. We were disappointed by their slow response to our correspondence and requests for a meeting. In May, a group of WJP leaders finally met in Harrisburg with Deputy Secretary Sherri Heller. We can now claim wins on six of our nine initial demands, including the demand to implement a voicemail system in all Allegheny County welfare offices so that clients can reach their caseworkers. The two issues that are still under negotiation are the posting of a "Client Bill of Rights," in every office and regular evening office hours in Allegheny County welfare offices. Stay posted for further developments!   DPW REPORT CARD The grades are in! Here is how Welfare did meeting our demands and improving access to food stamps for clients in Allegheny County. 1. Posting a Client Bill of Rights F DPW is stalling 2. Allow 10 business days to file for an appeal F DPW says it needs legislative action. 3. Ten days notice for appointments A 2 days notice not enough; now we have 10! 4. Allow consumers to own reliable car on benefits! A Consumers can now have a car with no effect 5. Allow 3 months of food stamps after cash closes A- Federal permission needed, but will do it! 6. Voicemail in all ACAO offices A County now has voicemail! 7. Extended office hours pilot F State will not allow offices to regularly stay open late! 8. Replace/Repair ACCESS cards at any time A+ County changed this as soon as we asked 9. Office Choice Policy B County offered some improvements