Findings Of Fact On June 3, 1981, Petitioner, Ethel Tatum, 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 Highlands County, Florida, which is part of Abe Central Cooling Climatic Region for purposes of determining the level of assistance to be given claimants. After reviewing the application, Respondent requested applicant to furnish "....verification of (her) earned income..." on July 14, 1981, in order to complete processing of the application. In response to this request, a representative of the Agriculture and Labor Program, Inc. sent copies of Mr. & Mrs. Tatum's check stubs for June, 1980 through May, 1981, to verify the household's monthly income. The application was ultimately denied by Respondent on August 24, 1981, on the ground Petitioner had failed to furnish verification of her income as required by Department rule. When the application was filed, petitioner and two other persons lived in her household. She disclosed that her total countable monthly income for June, 1981, was 558, which exceeds the $519 income limitation for households having three persons. Accordingly, even though the Department based its action on lack of verification of income, Petitioner was ineligible for assistance because she exceeded the income limitations prescribed by Department rule.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that the application of Ethel M. Tatum for cooling assistance be DENIED. DONE and ENTERED this 8th day of February, 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 Hearing this 8th day of February, 1982. COPIES FURNISHED: Ethel M. Tatum 1416 South Carolina Drive Avon Park, Florida 33825 Anthony N. DeLuccia, Jr., Esquire Department of HRS 8800 Cleveland Avenue, South Fort Myers, Florida 33907 Ms. Ollie Mae Hawkins Agricultural & Labor Program, Inc. 1650 Highlands Avenue Avon Park, Florida 33825
Findings Of Fact Petitioner Frank Selecky requested a hearing by a letter received in the office of Respondent on March 4, 1981. After the required informal conference with a supervisor in Respondent Department Petitioner requested a formal hearing. On January 8, 1981 Selecky, a white 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 lives alone and receives a bill for use of liquid propane for heating. By Notice of Application Denial mailed February 18, 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 in come limit by household size was unfair, especially since he has no kidneys, is on dialysis, has large medical and automobile fuel bills and is sixty-nine (69) years old. He has had difficulty in collecting his insurance reimbursement. Under Rule 10 CER 80-11.07, Florida Administrative Code, and the applicable chart Petitioner Selecky's income exceeds the income limit of $316.00 for a household of one person.
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 6th day of April, 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 6th day of April, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Mr. Frank Selecky Route 2, Box 985 Webster, Florida 33597 James A. Sawyer, Esquire Department of HRS 3001 SW Broadway Ocala, Florida 32671 Susan B. Kirkland, Esquire Department of HRS 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Findings Of Fact On March 23, 1982, Petitioner, Frances McGill, 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 notice dated April 27, 1982, on the ground McGill had an excessive monthly income. Thereafter, Petitioner requested an administrative hearing to appeal the Department's decision. Petitioner resides in her household with one other person. The total countable monthly income for the household during March, 1982, was $561. This amount exceeded the monthly income limitation of $474 for households having two persons. Therefore, McGill was ineligible for assistance based upon her March income. Applicant did not dispute the Department's determination that her total monthly countable income during March, 1982, exceeded acceptable income limitations prescribed by the Department. However, a large part ($370) of the income received in March was recently terminated, and it now falls within acceptable guidelines. Additionally, Petitioner pointed out that she is unemployed, has large medical bills, and is in genuine need of financial assistance.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that the application of Frances McGill for energy assistance be DENIED. DONE and ENTERED this 29th 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 29th day of July, 1982. COPIES FURNISHED: Ms. Frances McGill 310 North West 7th Avenue, No. 2 Miami, Florida 33128 Leonard Helfand, Esquire Department of HRS 402 North West 2nd Avenue, Suite 1040 Miami, Florida 33128
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 Joseph L. Davis requested a hearing by a letter received in the office of Respondent on March 4, 1981. After having an informal conference with a supervisor in Respondent Department Petitioner requested a formal hearing. On January 20, 1981 Davis, 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 has applied for the low income energy assistance. He lived in a house with two (2) other people and received a bill for use of natural gas for heating. He received $50.00 per month rent from Emma Milligan who lived in his home until her death on February 19, 1981. The Social Security payments to him and his wife who lives in his home are $549.70. By Notice of Application Denial mailed February 5, 1981 Petitioner was informed that he was denied assistance for the reason that his adjusted monthly income exceeded the monthly income limits for a household of his size. Petitioner did not dispute the evidence presented by Respondent but stated that in fact he received only $50.00 per month rent from his mother-in- law, Emma Milligan. The witness for Respondent substantiated the evidence received and explained the procedure followed for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. Under Rule 10 CER 80-11.07, Florida Administrative Code, Petitioner Davis' household income exceeds the income limit of $519.00 for a household of three (3) persons even though he may have received only $50.00 of the $258.00 non-earned income of the third member of his household. 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 31st 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 31st day of March, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Mr. Joseph Lee Davis 1230 Spearing Street Jacksonville, Florida 32206 Paul C. Doyle, Esquire Department or HRS 5920 Arlington Expressway Post Office Box 2417-F Jacksonville, Florida 32231
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.
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 10 CER 81-4.08 through 4.11. Florida Administrative Code.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner Olga McDonald requested a hearing by telephone and by a letter received in the office of Respondent on March 4, 1981. After the required informal conference with a supervisor in Respondent Department Petitioner requested a formal hearing. On January 26, 1981 McDonald, a Hispanic female, filed a household application for low income energy assistance. Petitioner receives food stamps, no one in her household is handicapped or a migrant or migrant farm worker, and no one else has applied for the low income energy assistance. She lives in a household with four (4) other people and receives a hill for use of electricity for heating. By Notice of Application Denial mailed February 11, 1981 Petitioner was informed that she was denied assistance for the reason that her adjusted monthly income exceeded $723.00, the maximum income limit for a household of her size. Petitioner did not dispute the evidence presented by Respondent Department although she had indicated a lower weakly earned family income on her application, but was convinced the income limit by household size was unfair. She also felt the action taken denying her benefits was unfair because her adjusted gross income was only $2.00 above the cutoff for eligibility. Under Rule 10 CER 80-11.07 and the applicable chart Petitioner McDonald's household exceeds the income limit of $723.00 for a household of five (5) persons. 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: Mrs. Olga McDonald 2523 West Emma Circle Tampa, Florida 33614 Janice Sortor, Esquire Department of HRS W. T. Edwards Facility 4000 West Buffalo Avenue Tampa, Florida 33614 Susan B. Kirkland, Esquire Department of HRS 1317 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Mr. Alvin J. Taylor Secretary Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Blvd. Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Findings Of Fact On July 15, 1981, Petitioner, Mary E. Hopkins, 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 Escambia County, Florida, which is part of the North Cooling Climatic Region for purposes of determining the level of assistance to be given claimants. The application was ultimately denied by Respondent on September 7, 1981, on the ground she had excessive income. Petitioner is the only member of her household. She receives a total countable monthly income of $317.10, which exceeds the monthly income limitation of $316 for households having only one person. Hopkins is in need of cooling due to the existence of a medical condition (respiratory) which requires a controlled condition to prevent adverse effects which would be life-threatening. Except for her level of income, she was otherwise qualified to receive assistance. Applicant did not dispute the fact that her income is in excess of the income limitations prescribed by Department rule. However, she urged that an exception be made in her case because of her genuine need for cooling assistance.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that the application of Mary E. Hopkins for cooling assistance be DENIED. DONE and ENTERED this 3rd day of December, 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 3rd day of December, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Mary E. Hopkins 8316 Binkley Street Pensacola, Florida 32504 Jon W. Searcy, Esquire Department of HRS 160 Governmental Center Pensacola, Florida 32522
The Issue Whether Petitioner is eligible for low income energy assistance, as provided in Chapter 80-167, Laws of Florida; 10 CER 80-11 amended by 10 CER 81- 4.08 through 4.11.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner requested a hearing by telephone and by a letter received in the office of Respondent on February 11, 1981. After the required informal conference with a supervisor of the Respondent, Petitioner requested a formal hearing. On January 6, 1981, Petitioner, a white female, filed a household application for low income energy assistance. No one in her household is handicapped or 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. By Notice of Application Denial mailed on February 3, 1981, Petitioner was informed that she was denied assistance for the reason that her adjusted monthly income exceeded $316.00, the maximum income limit for a household of her size. Petitioner did not dispute the evidence presented by Respondent but was convinced that the income limit by household size was unfair. Petitioner confused the Low Income Energy Assistance Program with a program administered by the Community Action Agency of Hillsborough County, Florida, called the Energy Crisis Intervention Program, funded by federal money from the Department of Energy. The funds from the Energy Crisis Intervention Program were available to persons without heating fuel in their home or who had been notified that their fuel supply would be terminated during the month of February, 1981. The income limits of that program were more liberal than the income limits in the subject Low Income Energy Assistance Program. Under Rule 10 CER 80-11.07 and the applicable chart, Petitioner's household exceeds the income limit of $316.00 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 upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is recommended that low income energy benefits be denied. DONE and ENTERED this 19th day of March, 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 19th day of March, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Ms. Margaret M. Buzzell 8574 Briar Grove Circle Tampa, FL 33615 Janice Sortor, Esq. Department of HRS W.T. Edwards Facility 4000 West Buffalo Avenue Tampa, FL 33614 Susan B. Kirkland, Esq. Department of HRS 1317 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, FL 32301
Findings Of Fact The Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services ("Respondent") is the government agency responsible for administering the Low Income Energy Assistance Program in the State of Florida. The Respondent adopted Rule 10 CER 80-11, Florida Administrative Code, and amended it to extend the time limit for filing applications for benefits. Petitioner made application for benefits as a building operator. The parties' Joint Exhibit #4 accurately reflects the financial status of the Petitioner as of the date of the data's submission to the Respondent. Joint Exhibit #4 was received in evidence. Respondent denied the Petitioner's application by its letter of March 24, 1981, upon a finding that the building project was fully compensated pursuant to Rule 10 CER 80-11.10(2), Florida Administrative Code. Denial was specifically based upon inclusion of the Petitioner's reserves fund in the computation of the project's compensation. Petitioner had operating capital and cash reserves in excess of its operating expenses. These cash reserves were maintained pursuant to federal rules governing public housing and were, at the time of Petitioner's application, below the requirements set by rule.
Recommendation The Hearing Officer recommends disapproval of the Petitioner's application for Low Income Energy Assistance Program benefits for failure to meet the requirements of Rule 10 CER 80-11.10(2), Florida Administrative Code, because Petitioner's cash reserves plus operating revenues exceed its operating expenses and therefore its project was fully compensated. DONE and ORDERED this 24th day of May, 1982, 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 24th day of May, 1982. COPIES FURNISHED: Dianne S. Smith, Esquire Assistant County Attorney Metropolitan Dade County 1626 Dade County Courthouse 73 West Flagler Street Miami, Florida 33130 Leonard Helfand, Esquire Department of HRS Room 1040, Ruth Rhode Building 401 Northwest 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
The Issue Whether Petitioner should have been considered for benefits from the Low Income Energy Assistance Program pursuant to Section 409.508, Florida Statutes; Rule 10 CER 80-11, Low Income Energy Assistance Program, amended by Rule 10 CER 81-4, Administrative Code.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner Rachel N. Farmer requested a hearing by a letter received in the office of the Respondent on April 2, 1981. After an informal conference with a supervisor in Respondent Department Petitioner requested a formal hearing. Petitioner is a black female who lives in Macclenny, Baker County, Florida She receives aid from the state and federal governments in the amount of $75.00 biweekly. She wrote a letter to Respondent Department, received on April 4, 1981, requesting information as to why she had not received a check to help on her light bill. After Respondent denied benefits on the grounds that no application had been received Respondent forwarded the letter to the Division of Administrative Hearings as a request for hearing. Petitioner testified in her own behalf. At the hearing Petitioner stated that on March 19, 1981 she had submitted by mail to Respondent an application consisting of one sheet on which she bad indicated her income. Respondent submitted a statement by the worker in charge of the records in the area in which Petitioner lived which stated that diligent search had been made of the files and logs but no application had been received from Petitioner. From observing the demeanor of the parties the earing Officer finds that Petitioner Farmer mistakenly believed hat she had sent in an application for low income energy benefits but that in fact she had not submitted the proper application. The Hearing Officer further finds that the form Petitioner may have filed was filed by mailing on March 19, 1981.
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 5th day of June, 1981, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. DELPHENE C. STRICKLAND Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 200 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. Rachel N. Farmer Baker Manor, Apt. #8 Macclenny, Florida 32063 Leo J. Stellwagen, Esquire Department of HRS 5920 Arlington Expressway Post Office Box 2417-F Jacksonville, Florida 32231 Alvin J. Taylor, Secretary Attn: Susan B. Kirkland, Esquire Department of HRS Building One, Room 406 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301
