The Issue Whether Petitioner is eligible for low income energy assistance as provided in Section 409.508, Florida Statutes (1980), Home Energy Assistance Program Rules 10 CER 81-5 through 81-13, Low Income Energy Assistance Program, amended by Rules 10 CER 81-16 and 81-17, Florida Administrative Code.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner Creola Moore requested a formal hearing after the required informal conference with a supervisor employed by Respondent Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. On June 17, 1981 Creola Moore, a black female who lives alone, filed a Household Application for low income energy assistance. She was notified hat the application must be accompanied by a properly completed Medical Certification for Cooling. The medical certificate which she filed indicated that her health conditions did not require a controlled temperature to prevent adverse effects which would be life threatening.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, the Hearing Officer recommends that a final order be entered by the Respondent Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services denying low income energy benefits to Petitioner. DONE and ORDERED this 11th day of December, 1981, in Tallahassee, Florida. DELPHENE C. STRICKLAND Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 11th day of December, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Creola Moore 3171 Torres Avenue Pensacola, Florida 32503 Jon W. Searcy, Esquire Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 160 Governmental Center Post Office Box 12836 Pensacola, Florida 32576 David H. Pingree, Secretary Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Findings Of Fact The Petitioner, Margie Knowles, applied for low income home energy assistance payments by an application filed with the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services at is New Port Richey service center on November 2, 1983. After reviewing the application, the Department sent a letter to Petitioner requesting additional verification of the Petitioner's income on November 3, 1983, by United States Mail at the following address: 7th Avenue, route 2, Box 3072, Hudson, Florida 33567. This request was made because there was a variance between what the Petitioner reported on her application and what was recorded on her food stamp application, although both amounts were well within the eligibility requirements of the program. The Petitioner explained the variance by reporting that in one week they had picked tomatoes for only two days. The Petitioner did not receive the Department's letter requesting additional verification of income. Petitioner receives her mail in the mailbox of the primary house on the lot where she has her trailer. On November 17, 1983, the Department denied the Petitioner's application and found her ineligible for participation in the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program because it had not received a reply to its letter of November 3, 1983. The Petitioner testified at hearing that she earned a total of $174 and received $121 in AFDC during the period of eligibility determination. Petitioner is well within the eligibility amount. She and her two grandchildren receive food stamps, live in Zone 4, use propane gas to heat with, and constitute a family of three.
Recommendation Because the Petitioner did not actually receive the Department's letter requesting additional information, and because the Department could have resolved the different income figures within its own records and personnel, it is recommended that the Petitioner receive low income home energy assistance benefits based upon the income figures and family size provided in paragraph six of the Findings of fact, supra. DONE AND RECOMMENDED this 1st day of June 1984 in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. STEPHEN F. DEAN Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 1st day of June 1984. COPIES FURNISHED: Ms. Margie Knowles Seventh Avenue Route 2, Box 3072 Hudson, Florida 33567 Carol M. Wind, Esquire Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 2255 East Bay Drive Clearwater, Florida 33546 David M. Pingree, Secretary Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue Whether Petitioner is eligible for additional low income energy assistance under Section 409.508, Florida Statutes (1980), Energy Assistance Program; Rule 10 CER 80-11, Low Income Energy Assistance Program, amended by Rule 10 CER 81-4, Florida Administrative Code.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner Alma T. Camiel requested a hearing on April 3, 1981. After the require informal conference with a supervisor in Respondent Department Petitioner requested a formal hearing. On January 28, 198 Camiel, a black female, filed a Household Application for low income energy assistance. No one in her household is a migrant or migrant farm worker, and no one else applied for the low income energy assistance. She lives alone in Lake City, Florida, receives food stamps and receives a bill for the use of wood for heating purposes. Petitioner was issued a check in the amount of $47.00 to assist her in paying her heating costs for the month of January. The action was taken by Respondent within 45 days of Petitioner's application, and she was promptly paid low income energy assistance benefits. Petitioner did not dispute the evidence presented by Respondent, the facts of her residence or income, or the type of fuel used but stated that wood was expensive and her primary source of heat, although she used other types of fuel at times. She had expected more money since others received more benefits under the program, particularly if they used electricity as a primary source of beat. Respondent's witness produced the signed application of Petitioner, a map of the State of Florida depicting four (4) climatic regions and a chart for determining the amount of low income energy assistance boating payments for each of the four (4) regions based on monthly income of the application and the type of fuel used for fully vulnerable and partially vulnerable households. The amount of $47.00 was the correct amount according to the chart odor the facts provided by Petitioner.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law the Hearing Officer recommends that a final order be entered approving the amount of Low Income Energy Assistance Program benefits allocated to Petitioner Alma T. Camiel. DONE and ORDERED this 5th day of June, 1991, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. DELPHENE C. STRICKLAND Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 5th day of June, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Ms. Alma T. Camiel 107 North Street Lake City, Florida 32055 Joseph E. Hodges, Esquire Department of HRS Oak Park Executive Square Gainesville, Florida 32601 Alvin J. Taylor, Secretary Attn: Susan E. Kirkland, Esquire Department of HRS Building One, Room 406 323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue The issue presented for decision herein is whether or not the Petitioner is eligible to receive benefits under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Findings Of Fact Based upon my observation of the witnesses and their demeanor while testifying, documentary evidence received and the entire record compiled herein, I hereby make the following relevant factual findings. On November 2, 1983, petitioner, Martha L. Abney, filed an application with Respondent for benefits under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Her application reflects that unemployment compensation benefits and child support payments were being received. Petitioner's application also revealed that she was a food stamp recipient. Respondent's assigned caseworker who processed Petitioner's claim attempted to obtain verification of Petitioner's income through the Food Stamp Case Record. That record did not show that there was any income in Petitioner's household for unemployment. Being unable to verify that income, Respondent's agent sent a notice requesting verification of the unemployment compensation to Petitioner on November 4, 1983. The date of November 18, 1983 was listed as the date that information needed to be forwarded back from Petitioner to Respondent. In that notice, Petitioner was warned that her application for Program Benefits would be denied if that verification was not provided. Petitioner did not respond by the requested date, i.e., November 18, 1983, and on November 21, 1983, Respondent's agent denied Petitioner's application for Program Benefits. On December 19, 1983, Petitioner visited the Respondent's office concerning her denial of Program Benefits and related that she had never received the notice requesting the verification of her unemployment compensation benefits. Petitioner complained during her December 19, 1983 visit to Respondent's office that she never received the notice requesting verification of income; however, she admits that she received the denial notice. In this regard, it was noted that the letter requesting verification of Petitioner's unemployment compensation and the denial letter were both addressed to the same address. Further, in this regard, it was noted that the Petitioner, during the hearing herein, admits that it was "possible" that she, in fact, received the notice requesting verification of her unemployment compensation benefits but that she could have mistakenly forwarded that requested information to the Unemployment Compensation Claims Office, an office apparently housed in the same building as the Respondent's local office. When Petitioner visited Respondent's office on December 19, 1983, she was given verification of her income by the Unemployment Claims Supervisor and that verification reveals that the Petitioner is entitled to three weeks of compensation on her unemployment claim at the rate of $69 per week. (Respondent's Exhibit 1)
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is hereby recommended that the Respondent enter a Final Order denying Petitioner's application for benefits under the Home Energy Assistance Program. RECOMMENDED this 7th day of September, 1984, in Tallahassee, Florida. JAMES E. BRADWELL, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 7th day of September, 1984. COPIES FURNISHED: James Sawyer, Jr., Esquire District III Legal Counsel 1000 North East 16 Avenue, Building H Gainesville, Fl. 32601 Martha L. Abney 21352 Lehouier Drive Brooksville, Florida 33512 David Pingree Secretary Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Blvd. Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue Whether Petitioner's application for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance should be granted, or denied in accordance with Respondent's Notice of Denial.
Findings Of Fact On November 3, 1983, Beverly R. Collins (Petitioner) filed a "Household Application for Home Energy Assistance" with Respondent, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (HRS). The application was incomplete. HRS mailed a notice to Petitioner that additional information must be supplied within 10 days, or additional time requested. The additional information was not forthcoming and no additional time was requested. By notice dated February 10, 1984, HRS informed Petitioner that the application would be denied for failure to timely provide the requested information. By letter dated March 26, 1984, Petitioner requested a hearing asserting that--due to misdelivery of mail--she had not timely received HRS' request for additional information. This case was transferred to the Division of Administrative Hearings for assignment of a hearing officer, and subsequently set to be heard on July 26, 1984. A copy of the notice of hearing was mailed to Petitioner at the address indicated on her request for hearing, and was not returned for lack of delivery. Petitioner did not attend the hearing. Nor was she represented by counsel. She made no request for a postponement, and no excuse for her absence has been presented.
Recommendation Accordingly, it is RECOMMENDED: That Petitioner's application for Low Income Home Energy Assistance be denied. DONE and ENTERED this 2nd day of August, 1984, in Tallahassee, Florida. R.L. CALEEN Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 2nd day of August, 1984. COPIES FURNISHED: Gary Clark, Esquire 400 West Robinson St., Suite 912 Orlando, Florida 32801 Beverly R. Collins 1013 West 3rd St., Apt. B Sanford, Florida 32771
Findings Of Fact Based upon my observation of the witnesses and their demeanor while testifying, the documentary evidence received and the entire record compiled herein, the following relevant facts are found. Mary T. Gabor is the daughter of Anna C. Ruwell, Petitioner herein. On April 20, 1982, Ms. Gabor submitted an application to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program requesting that she (Petitioner) be determined eligible to receive Low Income Energy Assistance. The application was not signed or dated. On May 27, 1983, the application submitted on behalf of Petitioner was returned by Respondent "as it is unsigned and dated and is not acceptable since the signed application has to be postmarked by April 23, 1982, to be acceptable. Ms. Gabor operated under the assumption that she could complete the application on behalf of her mother (Petitioner), inasmuch as she was her mother's authorized representative in other assistance or entitlement programs such as food stamps, etc. Evidence reveals that Petitioner's application was received in the Energy Assistance Program's office on April 20, 1982. The program closed for the acceptance of applications on April 23, 1982. Respondent submitted a request to Petitioner by letter dated May 14, 1982, for additional information as to the amount of her Social Security award. Petitioner was allowed through May 28, 1982, to provide the requested information. That letter prompted Ms. Gabor to call the Energy Assistance Program on May 21, 1982. In the May 14th request for additional information, Petitioner was directed to sign and date the application. Approximately six (6) days later, on May 27, 1982, Ms. Ruwell's application was returned as unacceptable due to the above-referred omissions (absence of signature and date). Petitoner's application was one (1) of approximately seventeen hundred (1,700) applications received by the Energy Assistance Program during the last five (5) days of the filing period. Due to the substantial number of applications received by the Energy Assistance Program, Petitioner's omissions were not noticed until after the April 23, 1982, deadline. Ms. Gabor feels that she is entitled to an exception to the above- referred omissions based on Petitioner's elderly age and the fact that she would have been declared eligible but for the absence of Petitioner's signature on the application.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is hereby RECOMMENDED: 1. That Respondent submit to Petitioner a request for the additional information and afford her an opportunity to provide that missing or incomplete information within ten (10) days of the request for such information. Provided Petitioner furnishes Respondent with the additional information requested within the allowable ten (10) day period and the application otherwise satisfies the guiding criteria, it is further RECOMMENDED: That she be determined and otherwise declared eligible for participation in the Home Energy Assistance Program. RECOMMENDED this 15th day of September, 1982, in Tallahassee, Florida. JAMES E. BRADWELL Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 15th day of September, 1982.
The Issue Whether Petitioner is eligible for low income energy assistance as provided in Chapter 80-167, Laws of Florida; Rule 10 CER 80-11 amended by Rule 10 CER 81- 4.08 through 4.11, Florida Administrative Code.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner Sidney Darden requested a hearing by a letter received in the office of Respondent on March 20, 1981. After the required informal conference with a supervisor in Respondent Department Petitioner requested a formal hearing. On January 28, 1981 Darden, a black male, filed a household application for low income energy assistance. No one in his household is handicapped or a migrant or migrant farm worker, and no one else in his apartment applied for the low income energy assistance. He lives in a fully subsidized housing project and receives a bill for use of electricity. By Notice of Application Denial mailed February 26, 1981 Petitioner was informed that his household was not vulnerable to rising heating costs. list of Housing Projects for Duval County, District 04, Housing Urban Development, shows that the project in which Petitioner lives pays the heating fuel (gas) and includes it in the rent which has not increased in 1981. At the hearing Petitioner did not dispute the evidence submitted by Respondent Department but explained that he or his mother paid the electric bill and that a fan operated by electricity was necessary to circulate the gas heat provided for his apartment and, without electricity, his apartment was cold. Action was taken by Respondent within 45 days of Petitioner's application, and he was promptly notified of the reason for denial of benefits.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law the Hearing Officer recommends that low income energy benefits be denied Petitioner. DONE and ORDERED this 27th day of March, 1981, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. DELPHENE C. STRICKLAND Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 27th day of March, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Mr. Sidney Darden 2806 Maplewood Drive, Number 1 Jacksonville, Florida 32206 Paul C. Doyle, Esquire Department of HRS 5920 Arlington Expressway Post Office Box 2417-F Jacksonville, Florida 32231 Susan B. Kirkland, Esquire Department of HRS 1317 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Findings Of Fact Petitioner is a single parent and the head of a household comprising herself and her two children. In her application, Exhibit 1, Petitioner lists her monthly income at $800. The accuracy of this figure was not contested at the hearing. Based upon this income Respondent determined Petitioner was not eligible for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance and denied her application. Petitioner does not contend that she was unfairly discriminated against or that Respondent failed to comply with the regulations determining eligibility for Low-income Energy Assistance payments. Petitioner's sole argument is that because she works to support her family she is denied these payments, while others who are too indolent to work are given these payments from the taxes Petitioner pays.
The Issue Whether Petitioner is eligible for low income energy assistance as provided in Section 409.508, Florida Statutes (1980), Home Energy Assistance Program; Rules 10 CER 81-5 through 81-13, Low Income Energy Assistance Program, amended by Rules 10 CER 81-16 and 81-17, Florida Administrative Code.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner Ruby Campbell requested a formal hearing after the required informal conference with a supervisor employed by Respondent Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. On July 8, 1981 Campbell, a white female who lives alone, filed a Household Application for low income energy assistance with the required Medical Certification for Cooling. By Notice of Application Denial Petitioner was informed that she was denied assistance for the reason that her medical statement indicated her medical condition did not require cooling in order to prevent "life threatening" adverse effects. The action was taken within 45 days of Petitioner's application, and she was promptly notified of the reason for denial of benefits. The medical practitioner who signed the Medical Certification for Cooling, HRS (temp.) Form 137, crossed out the words "life threatening" before he signed the form which indicated that Petitioner has a spinal cord injury and hypertension. Petitioner did not dispute the evidence presented by Respondent Department but felt that the doctor should not have crossed out the words "life threatening" inasmuch as her home is very hot in the summer, a condition corroborated by her witnesses.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law the Hearing Officer recommends that a Final Order be entered by the Respondent Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services denying low income energy benefits to Petitioner. DONE and ORDERED this 4th day of December, 1981, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. DELPHENE C. STRICKLAND Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 4th day of December, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Mrs. Ruby Campbell Post Office Box 382 Williston, Florida 32696 Joseph E. Hodges, Esquire Department of HRS 2002 NW 13th Street Oak Park Executive Square Gainesville, Florida 32601 David H. Pingree, Secretary Attn: Susan B. Kirkland, Esquire Department of HRS Building One, Room 406 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue Whether Petitioner is eligible for low income energy assistance as provided in Section 409.508, Florida Statutes (1980), Home Energy Assistance Program; Rules 10 CER 81-5 through 81-13 Low Income Energy Assistance Program, amended by Rules 10 CER 81-16 and 81-17, Florida Administrative Code.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner Robert William Stewart requested a formal hearing after the required informal conference with a supervisor employed by Respondent Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. On June 17, 1981 Stewart, a white male who lives with his wife, filed a Household Application for low income energy assistance. He was notified on July 15, 1981 that the application must be accompanied by a Medical Certification for Cooling showing that his health condition or the health condition of his wife was life-threatening without cooling. No medical certificate has been filed to show a life-threatening condition, and in fact the medical certificate filed shows the statement relative to a life-threatening condition requiring cooling was purposefully blotted out before the physician signed the certificate.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, the Hearing Officer recommends that a final order be entered by the Respondent Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services denying low income energy benefits to Petitioner. DONE and ORDERED this 7th day of December, 1981, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. DELPHENE C. STRICKLAND Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 7th day of December, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Mr. Robert W. Stewart 7532 Thelma Way, #8 Orlando, Florida 32807 Samuel P. Stafford, Esquire Department of HRS 400 West Robinson Street, Suite 912 Orlando, Florida 32801 David H. Pingree, Secretary Attn: Susan B. Kirkland, Esquire Department of HRS Building One, Room 406 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301
