Recommendation Based upon the foregoing, the Hearing Officer recommends that Petitioner's application for Low Income Energy Assistance Program benefits be denied. DONE and ORDERED this 5th day of November, 1981, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. STEPHEN F. DEAN, 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 November, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Ms. Rose Marie Johnson 311 Atlantic Avenue North Miami Beach, Florida 33160 Leonard Helfand, Esquire Department of HRS Suite 1040, Rhode Building 410 North West Second Avenue Miami, Florida 33128 David H. Pingree, Secretary Attn: Susan B. Kirkland, Esquire Department of HRS Building One, Room 406 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Findings Of Fact Petitioner and his wife live together in subsidized housing on Miami Beach. They are both disabled, and they receive a combined monthly income of $421 in social security benefits. They have no other income, earned or unearned. Petitioner made application for low income energy assistance benefits for his home cooling costs. Respondent denied that application for benefits since the maximum monthly income for a two-person household is $418. Except for exceeding the maximum income limit, Petitioner is otherwise eligible for low income energy assistance benefits. A lady who assists Petitioner in caring for himself and his wife stays with them two or three nights a week. Petitioner pays her a few dollars a day when he is able and charges her nothing for any meals or for her room when she stays with Petitioner and his wife. This same lady also spends several nights a week with a friend of Petitioner's, and she has her own apartment for which she pays rent.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is, therefore, RECOMMENDED THAT: A final order be entered denying Petitioner's application for Low Income Energy Assistance Program benefits. RECOMMENDED this , in Tallahassee, Florida. LINDA M. RIGOT, 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 December, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Eugene Cash 245 Ninth Street, Apt. 4 Miami Beach, Florida 33139 Leonard Helfand, Esquire District XI Legal Counsel Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 401 N.W. Second Avenue, Suite 1040 Miami, Florida 33128 Mr. David Pingree, Secretary Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301
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, Low Income Energy Assistance Program, amended by Rule 10 CER 81-4.08 through 4.11, Florida Administrative Code.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner Charlie Burch requested a hearing by letter of February 19, 1981 and by letter of March 18, 1981. After the required informal conference with a supervisor in Respondent Department Petitioner requested a formal hearing. Petitioner failed to appear at the first hearing scheduled but requested that he be heard at a future date and appeared at the second hearing. On January 9, 1981 Burch, a black male, filed a Household Application for low income energy assistance. No one in his household is a migrant or migrant farm worker, and no one else has applied for the low income energy assistance. He receives food stamps, lives with one other person and receives a bill for use of electricity for heating. By Notice of Application Denial mailed February 5, 1981 Petitioner was informed that he was denied assistance for the reason that his monthly income exceeded the maximum income for a household of his size. Action was taken by Respondent within 45 days of Petitioner's application, and he was promptly notified of the reason for denial of benefits. Petitioner did not dispute the evidence presented by Respondent Department but was convinced the income limit by household size was unfair with his wife's illness and other high bills. Under Rule 10 CER 80-11.07, Determination of Eligibility Based on Income, Florida Administrative Code, and the applicable chart Petitioner Burch's household income exceeds the income limit of $418.00 for a household of two (2) persons.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Finding's of Fact and Conclusions of Law the Hearing' Officer recommends that low income energy benefits be denied Petitioner. DONE and ORDERED this 1st day of May, 1981, 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 1st day of May, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Mr. Charlie Burch Post Office Box 15 Pomona Park, Florida 32081 Alvin J. Taylor, Secretary Joseph E. Hodges, Esq. Attn: Susan B. Kirkland, Esquire Department of HRS Department of HRS 2002 NW 13th Street Building One, Room 406 Oak Park Executive Square 1323 Winewood Boulevard Gainesville, Florida 32601 Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Findings Of Fact On March 11, 1982, Petitioner, Eva Cox, filed a household application for energy assistance under the Low Income Energy Assistance Program with Respondent, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. Based upon a review of the information submitted by Petitioner, the application was denied by letter dated March 23, 1982, on the ground Cox had an excessive monthly income. A subsequent oral explanation as to the reason for the denial was given Petitioner on May 11, 1982. Thereafter, Petitioner requested an administrative hearing to appeal the decision of the Department. Petitioner resides in her household with one other person. The total countable monthly income for the household is $548. This amount exceeds the monthly income limitation of $474 for households having two persons. Therefore, Cox was ineligible for assistance. Applicant did not dispute the Department's determination that her total monthly countable income exceeded acceptable income limitations prescribed by the Department. However, she contended that because of a recent heart attack which has limited her ability to work, she is in need of financial assistance.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that the application of Eva Cox for energy assistance be DENIED. DONE and ENTERED this 2nd day of July, 1982, in Tallahassee, Florida. DONALD R. ALEXANDER 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 July, 1982. COPIES FURNISHED: Ms. Eva Cox 1601 East Alabama Street, Apt. 114 Plant City, Florida 33566 Amelia Park, Esquire Department of HRS 4000 West Buffalo Avenue Tampa, Florida 33614
Findings Of Fact Mr. Hudson and his wife are long time residents of Pensacola. They live alone together in a house heated with natural gas. They still have not paid last month's gas bill in the amount of $74. Their combined gross monthly income amounts to $606, of which $147 is a social security payment and $3 is interest on savings. The remainder is "retirement checks", two pension payments attributable to the Hudsons' employment when they were younger. Neither is employed now. Insurance premiums and perhaps other items are deducted monthly, and these deductions aggregate almost one hundred dollars. Mr. Hudson has recently learned that he has cancer of the throat. He has undergone radiation therapy and incurred considerable medical expenses. He paid Baptist Hospital $260 just before last Christmas and spent $140 on drugs shortly after Christmas.
Recommendation Upon consideration of the foregoing, it is RECOMMENDED: That respondent deny petitioner's application for benefits under the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. DONE AND ENTERED this 23rd day of February, 1983, in Tallahassee, Florida. ROBERT T. BENTON II 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 23rd day of February, 1983. COPIES FURNISHED: Franklin William Hudson 1607 E. Cervantes Street Pensacola, Florida 32501 Maureen McGill, Esquire Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 160 Governmental Center Pensacola, Florida 32522 David Pingree, Secretary Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Alicia Jacobs General Counsel Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Susan B. Kirkland, Esquire Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Findings Of Fact On July 17, 1981, Petitioner, Epharim Perry, filed a household application for cooling assistance under the Low Income Energy Assistance Program with Respondent, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. Petitioner resides in Madison County, Florida, which is a part of the North Cooling Climatic Region for purposes of determining the level of assistance to be given claimants. Although the application required that applicant furnish a Medical Certification for Cooling Form, he failed to do so. On July 28, 1981, the Department requested the claimant furnish the omitted information in order to complete his application. Because he failed to comply with this request, the application was ultimately denied on August 28, 1981. Applicant is the only member of his household. His total monthly countable income is 8258 which falls within acceptable income limitations prescribed by the Department. Except for the omitted Form, applicant was otherwise qualified to receive $143 in cooling assistance benefits.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that the application of Petitioner, Epharim Perry, be DENIED. DONE and ENTERED this 28th day of October, 1981, in Tallahassee, Florida. DONALD R. ALEXANDER 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 28th day of October, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Mr. Epharim Perry Hill Top Apartments, #1003 Madison, Florida 32340 John L. Pearce, Esquire 2639 North Monroe Street - Suite 200A Tallahassee, Florida 32303
The Issue Whether Petitioner is eligible for low income energy assistance as provided in Chapter 50-167, Laws of Florida; Rule 10 CER 80-11 amended by 10 CER 01-4.08 through 4.11, Florida Administrative Code.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner Muriel L. Lanton requested a hearing by telephone and by a letter received in the office of Respondent on March 2, 1981. After having an informal conference with a supervisor in Respondent Department Petitioner requested a formal hearing. On January 7, 1981 Lanton, a white 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 has applied for the low income energy assistance. She lives alone in a house and receives a bill for use of electricity for heating. Her gross monthly income is $322.80 non-earned income. by Notice of Application Denial mailed February 19, 1981 Petitioner was informed that she was denied assistance for the reason that her adjusted monthly income exceeded the monthly income limits for a household of her size. Petitioner did not appear but sent word to the Hearing Officer by the witness for Respondent that she did not think it fair to count the amount deducted for Medicare as income. Witness for the Respondent substantiated the evidence received and explained the procedure followed for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. Under Rule 10 CER 80-11.07, Petitioner Lanton's household income exceeds the income limit of $318.00 for a household of one person. Action was taken by Respondent within 45 days of Petitioner's application, and she 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: Ms. Muriel L. Lanton 1110 Marigold Street Parker, Florida 32401 John L. Pearce, Esquire Department of HRS 2639 North Monroe Street, Suite 200-A Tallahassee, Florida 32303 Susan S. Kirkland, Esquire Department of HRS 1317 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue The issue is whether Petitioners' household income was within the maximum income limits.
Findings Of Fact Nazario and Frances Lopez applied for Low Income Energy Assistance Program benefits on June 22, 1981, as a two-person household. Their application was denied because their household income for the month of June was $452. The maximum income limit for a two-person household is $418. Mr. and Mrs. Lopez were otherwise qualified for these benefits. Effective at the end of June, the Social Security disability benefits payable to Frances Lopez in the amount of $203 were discontinued, and they received $249 in July.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, the Hearing Officer recommends that low income energy assistance benefits be denied Petitioners. DONE and ORDERED this 20th day of October, 1981, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. STEPHEN F. DEAN, 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 20th day of October, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Mr. and Mrs. Nazario Lopez 11250 South West 197th Street, Apt. 134 Miami, Florida 33157 Leonard Helfand, Esquire Department of HRS Room 1040, Rhode Building 401 North West Second Avenue Miami, Florida 33128 Alvin J. Taylor, Secretary Attn: Susan B. Kirkland, Esquire Department of HRS Building One, Room 405 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Findings Of Fact Laura M. Davis lives in a low income government supported housing project in Tallahassee, Florida. Her rental payment is a fixed sum determined by her monthly gross income. This rent also includes utility costs. She was advised that she was eligible for Low Income Energy Assistance payments by employees of Respondent since she had a certification by a doctor that, for health reasons, she should live in a air conditioned space. Petitioner does not have air conditioning. After completing her application, which was initially approved, Petitioner was subsequently advised by Respondent that because she did not have air conditioning and pay additional costs for electricity she was not eligible for Low Income Energy Assistance for cooling. Emergency Rule 10 CER 81-8, issued by the Department of Health and Welfare from whom the Low Income Energy Assistance funds come, provides: A household is not eligible when a government program is paying for the rising cost of cooling energy. This cost is paid by the housing project or facility where you live.
Findings Of Fact The Petitioner is fully eligible to receive benefits under the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. The only issue is as to the amount of benefits she is entitled to receive. On her application, the Petitioner stated that she had been receiving a twenty-dollar stipend from the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist her with her utilities payment. After December, 1980, the Petitioner ceased receiving the stipend, and since that date she has not received it. She receives no other assistance on her utility bills. The Petitioner has outstanding electric utility bills of over $500.00. She is no able to pay this bill, and her electricity has been off for approximately two months. The Petitioner's total income is $175.00 per month which she receives as an AFDC Payment.
