SKIP to a Great Start

 

 

 
 

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Project SKIP is a venture of school districts and community partners to build a developmental support network for preschool children in the county. The network is generated by a set of new initiatives and expansion of key programs available to Genesee County parents who are pregnant or have children up to five years of age.
 

 

CINDY PARKS, DIRECTOR
Mary Crapo Building
8197 Miller Rd.
 Swartz Creek, Mi 48473
Phone: 810-591-4355
Fax: 810-591-4376
e-mail: cparks@swcrk.org

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Issue Alert - 08-06-01

Date:

06/09/2008
Issue Summary: Food Assistance recipients in households that lost food in June due to flooding or loss of power caused by storm activity should request replacement benefits within 10 days of the occurrence.
Persons Affected: Food Assistance Program (FAP) recipients

For More                   Center for Civil Justice 320 S. Washington, 2nd Floor Saginaw, MI

Information:             48607 (989) 755-3120, (800) 724-7441 Fax: (989) 755-3558

                                    E-mail: info@ccj-mi.org

                                   Michigan Poverty Law Program 611 Church Street, Suite 4A Ann     

                                   Arbor, MI 48104-3000 (734) 998-6100 Fax: (734) 998-9125

Background
Food Assistance recipients may be issued a replacement of food that has been reported destroyed in a domestic misfortune or disaster.  Domestic misfortunes or disasters include events which occur through no fault of the client, such as fires, floods or electrical outages. (PAM502)

DHS may elect to automatically replace benefits for large geographic areas affected by a disaster.

What's Happening?

Food Assistance households that lost food in June due to a domestic misfortune or disaster can request replacement benefits through DHS.  DHS will replace the amount of food the client states they have lost up to the value of the current month’s allotment. Replacement benefits cannot exceed the regular allotment amount for June.

The food does not have to come from the current month; however the client must complete the DHS-601, Food Replacement Affidavit form describing the loss.  Clients can obtain the form from their DHS worker or a manual copy is located at: http://www.mfia.state.mi.us/olmweb/ex/rff/601.pdf.  Applicants for replacement FAP benefits should keep a copy of the DHS-601 for their records.

Replacements and reauthorizations are processed only if the client reports the loss in a timely manner. Timely means the loss must be reported to DHS no later than 10 days following the occurrence of the misfortune or disaster.  FAP households should not wait to report their loss.

DHS must respond within 10 days of the request for replacement benefits, or within 2 working days of receipt of the signed DHS-601, whichever is later. 

What Should Advocates Do?

Please try to get the word out right away in light of the 10-day limit on requesting replacements. Your local Information and Referral Centers and emergency food providers may be a good place to start, since they will be fielding many calls from recipients who need food.

What Should Clients Do?

If the client does not receive a response from DHS, they should contact a supervisor.  If a client is denied, they should contact a supervisor and/or file for a hearing.  Recipients or agency staff who have questions can also contact CCJ's Food Stamp Helpline at (800) 481-4989.

Finding Help

Most legal aid and legal services office handle these types of cases, and they do not charge a fee. You can locate the "free" legal services or legal aid office that serves your county on the Michigan LawHelp website (http://www.MI.lawhelp.org) or look in the yellow pages under "attorneys" or call the toll-free lawyer referral number, (800) 968-0738.
 

SKIP to a Great Start Funding Statement

This project is funded with Federal funds from USDA’s Food Stamp Program by way of the Michigan Nutrition Network in a grant to the Genesee Intermediate School District. The Food Stamp Program provides nutrition assistance to people with low income; it can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet. To find out more, contact your local DHS office or check online http://www.mfla.state.mi.us/mars/index.asap or call 1-800-481-4989. *This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. SKIP to a Great Start is also funded through grants by the Michigan Department of Education (ASAP-PIE, Great Parents-Great Start), Community Foundation of Greater Flint, United Way of Genesee County, Merkley Trust, Target and Macy’s, in partnership with Genesee Intermediate School District, area health and human service agencies, and Genesee County school districts.