Findings Of Fact Petitioners Mr. and Mrs. John Wallace Beck requested a hearing by a letter received in the office of Respondent on March 12, 1981. After the required informal hearing with a supervisor in Respondent Department Petitioners requested a formal hearing. On January 29, 1981 Mr. Beck, a white male, filed a Household Application for low income energy assistance. No one in his household receives food stamps or other subsidies, or is a migrant or migrant farm worker, and no one else has applied for the low income energy assistance. He lives with his wife and receives a bill for use of electricity for heating. By Notice of Application Denial mailed March 3, 1981 Petitioners were informed that they were denied assistance for the reason that their monthly income exceeded the maximum income for a household of their size. Action was taken by Respondent within 45 days of Petitioners application, and they were promptly notified of the reason for denial of benefits. Petitioners did not dispute the evidence presented by Respondent Department but were convinced the income limit by household size was unfair. Mr. Beck said he felt the federal government misled people by advertising that there was money available and even extending the deadline to apply but that when need was demonstrated no funds for heating were granted him. He has applied for no other form of public aid. Under Rule 10 CER 80-11.07, Florida Administrative Code, and the applicable chart Petitioners' income exceeds the income limit of $418.00 for a household of two (2) people.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law the Hearing Officer recommends that low income energy benefits be denied Petitioners. 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. and Mrs. John Wallace Beck 202 Portage Path Road Dade City, Florida 33525 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
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 On April 21, 1982, Petitioner, Darnell Hunter, filed an application for energy assistance under the Low Income Energy Assistance Program with Respondent, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. The application was completed and signed by Jodi Fischer, a social worker with the Broward Center for the Blind. The application was accompanied by a letter from Fischer which explained that Hunter was in the hospital undergoing surgery and had given his permission for Fischer to sign the application on his behalf. The application was received at Respondent's Fort Lauderdale District Office on April 23, 1982, which was the last day for filing applications under the program. Based upon a review of the application, it was denied by letter dated May 25, 1982, on the ground Hunter "did not sign and date the application (himself)." Thereafter, Petitioner requested an administrative hearing to appeal the Department's decision. Petitioner died on August 30, 1982, which was the day prior to the final hearing. When the application was filed, Petitioner resided alone in his household. The total countable monthly income far the household during April, 1982, was $344. This amount was less than the monthly income limitation of $359 for households having one person. Therefore, Hunter was otherwise eligible for assistance based upon his April income. Under normal procedure, the Department has a representative visit an applicant whenever an application is incomplete, or does not contain the signature of the applicant because Respondent did not discover that Fischer had signed the application on behalf of Hunter until after the time for filing applications had expired, it did not avail itself of this procedure. It construed the application as being unacceptable from the date of filing, and contends that no remedy exists under the circumstances to cure the defect.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that the application of Darnell Hunter for energy assistance be DENIED. DONE and ENTERED this 7th day of September, 1982. 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 7th day of September, 1982. COPIES FURNISHED: Ms. Jodi Fischer Hearings Broward Center for the Blind 650 North Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Ms. Nancy Tango Department of HRS 201 West Broward Boulevard Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301
Findings Of Fact Petitioner Frank Schrepfer requested a hearing by a letter received in the office of Respondent on February 20, 1981. After the required informal conference with a supervisor in Respondent Department Petitioner requested a formal hearing. On January 15, 1981 Schrepfer, a white male, filed a household application for low income energy assistance. No one in his household receives food stamps or other subsidies, or is a migrant or migrant farm worker, and no one else has applied for the low income energy assistance. He lives with his wife and daughter and receives a bill for use of electricity for heating. By Notice of Application Denial mailed February 11, 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. Petitioner did not dispute the evidence presented by Respondent Department but was convinced the income limit by household size was unfair, especially since he has large medical bills and is blind. His wife is also partially blind and ill, and his daughter is ill. He has applied for no other form of public aid. Under Rule 10 CER 80-11.07 and the applicable chart Petitioner Schrepfer's income exceeds the income limit of $519.00 for a household of three (3) persons. 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. Frank Schrepfer 2360 SW Sixth Avenue Ocala, Florida 32670 Joseph E. Hodges, Esquire Department of HRS 2002 NW 13th Street Oak Park Executive Square Gainesville, Florida 32601 James A. Sawyer, Esquire Department of HRS 3001 SW Broadway Ocala, Florida 32671 Susan B. Kirkland, Esquire Department of HRS 1317 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Findings Of Fact Petitioner Fred A. Newman requested a hearing by a letter dated February 28, 1981. After the required informal conference with a supervisor in Respondent Department Petitioner requested a formal hearing. Petitioner failed to appear at both the first and second scheduled hearings. On January 22, 1981 Newman, 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 with one other person, receives food stamps and receives a bill for use of liquid propane 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. Tie 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 appear. Respondent presented avidence (Respondent's Composite Exhibit 1) which shows that Petitioner has a gross combined income of $428.00 per month. Under Rule 10 CER 80-11.07, Determination of Eligibility Based on Income, Florida Administrative Code, and the applicable chart Petitioner Newman's household income exceeds the income limit of $418.00 for a household of two (2) persons.
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 13th day of May, 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 13th day of May, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Mr. Fred A. Newman RD 2, Box 214 (Mulberry Street, Lake Weir Village) Oklawaha, Florida 32679 James A. Sawyer, Esquire Department of HRS 3001 SW Broadway Ocala, Florida 32672 Alvin J. Taylor, Secretary Attn: Susan B. Taylor, 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 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 Anna Juanita and Bernard W. Mannon live together in an apartment on Madison Street in Marianna, Florida. He is 62 and she is 56 years of age. The two of them make up the household. Her health is not good, and certain respiratory problems might be alleviated by air conditioning. Mrs. Mannon has no income. Mr. Mannon has gross income of $298.40 biweekly from the hospital where he works. His own health may preclude his working there much longer. Monthly, the Mannons repay loans from their daughter ($50.00) and from a finance company, Associates Financial Services ($57.00). They also have substantial medical bills.
The Issue Petitioner's eligibility to receive low income energy assistance payment. This proceeding commenced upon Respondent's denial of Petitioner's request for low income home energy assistance payment under Chapter 409, Florida Statutes. Petitioner appeared at the hearing unaccompanied by legal counsel. He was advised of his rights and the procedures incident to a Chapter 120 administrative proceeding. He acknowledged his understanding of such rights and elected to proceed in his own behalf.
Findings Of Fact On March 23, 1982, Petitioner, Arthur R. Koehler, filed an application for low income home energy assistance with the Respondent Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, District VI at Tampa, Florida. His application reflected that he is 82 years old and lives alone in Tampa, Florida. The application showed his income as consisting of a monthly Social Security payment of $350.50. However, information received from the Social Security Administration confirmed that the gross income of Petitioner's monthly Social Security benefit was $388.70. (Testimony of Petitioner, Sugarman, Petitioner's Exhibit 1, Respondent's Exhibit 1) On April 30, 1982, Respondent sent Petitioner a Notice of Denial form indicating that such denial was predicated on the fact that his income exceeded the monthly income limit for his household size, pursuant to Chapter 409, Florida Statutes, and Rules 10C-29.05, 09, and 13, Florida Administrative Code. Rule 10C-29.l3 provides that the monthly income limit for a one- person household is $359.00 per month. (Testimony of Petitioner, Sugarman, Respondent's Exhibit 2) During the last year, Petitioner has incurred over $1,000.00 in medical bills resulting from a hernia operation, and anticipates the need for household repairs in the approximate amount of $1,500.00 to $2,000.00. He therefore feels that these matters should be taken into consideration in determining his income for energy assistance payments. However, according to Respondent's officials, there is no authorization for exclusion of income for such expenses in determining eligibility for energy assistance. (Testimony of Sugarman, Petitioner)
Recommendation That a final order be issued by the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services denying the application of Petitioner, Arthur R. Koehler, for low income home energy assistance. DONE and ENTERED this 30th day of August, 1982, in Tallahassee, Florida. THOMAS C. OLDHAM 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 30th day of August, 1982. COPIES FURNISHED: Arthur R. Koehler 6824 South Trask Street Tampa, Florida 33616 Janice Sorter, Esquire District VI Assistant Legal Counsel Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 4000 West Buffalo Avenue Tampa, Florida 33614 David H. Pingree Secretary Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services 1323 Winewood Blvd. 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, amended by Rule 10 CER 81-4.08 through 4.11, Florida Administrative Code.
Findings Of Fact Petitioner Gregg Hilbert requested a hearing on February 24, 1981, and an informal conference with a supervisor in Respondent Department was held. On January 24, 1981 Hilbert, 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 lived with four (4) other persons and receives a bill for use of liquid propane for heating. By Notice of Application Denial mailed February 20, 1981 Petitioner was informed that he was denied assistance for the reason that he failed to furnish specified information as to the size 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. Petitioner did not include on his application a person living in his household during the month he applied for benefits, and he also failed to furnish verification of his income within the specified deadline of ten (10) working days. He failed to appear at the hearing although he had 14 days notice of the hearing and telephone notice from Respondent.
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 24th 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 24th day of April, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Mr. Gregg Hilbert 169 West King Street St. Augustine, Florida 32084 Paul C. Doyle, 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
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
