Findings Of Fact The Petitioner, Nettie C. Mack, filed an application for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program benefits, dated and received by the Respondent on November 21, 1983. This application showed the Petitioner's household to consist of four persons including herself, her daughter, and two minor children, all of whom reside in the vicinity of Campbellton, Florida. The Petitioner's daughter was claimed to have had $458.00 income for the month of November, 1983; the source of heat in the Petitioner's home was electricity. Upon verification of the income figure claimed for the Petitioner's daughter, a discrepancy turned up, indicating that the Petitioner's daughter earned $630.00 for the month of November, 1983. Consequently, the Petitioner was asked to submit information from the daughter's employer to verify the amount of income paid to her during November. When the Petitioner did not respond to this request for verification of her daughter's income, the Respondent denied the application. At the hearing the Petitioner still could not produce written verification of her daughter's income for November of 1983, but the daughter's direct testimony was considered some evidence in corroboration of this income. She is employed at the Washington County Hospital as a nurse's aide, and claimed to have received $458.00 monthly after deductions. By stipulation, the Petitioner was given ten days after the hearing to submit written verification of her gross earnings for November, 1983. The Petitioner submitted her daughter's paycheck stubs showing countable income in November, 1983, of $719.00. This is within the eligibility limits.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Respondent enter a Final Order determining that the Petitioner, Nettie C. .Mack, is eligible for Low income Home Energy Assistance Program benefits, and approving a payment to the Petitioner of $30.00 pursuant to this program. THIS Recommended Order entered this 13th day of June, 1983, in Tallahassee, Florida. WILLIAM B. THOMAS 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 June, 1984. COPIES FURNISHED: Nettie C. Mack Route 1, Box 272 Campbellton, FL 32426 John Pierce, Esquire District Legal Counsel 2639 North Monroe St. Suite 200-A Tallahassee, Florida 32303
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
Findings Of Fact On March 16, 1982, the Petitioner, Erwin V. Kunz, filed a household application for financial assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. After its review of this application, the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services advised the Petitioner of its denial on the ground that he and his wife have more than the prescribed monthly income to be eligible. The Petitioner resides with his wife in their household in Ocala. Their total countable monthly income is $498.47 which is paid by the Social Security Administration. This amount exceeds the monthly income limitation of $474.00 for households having two persons. Therefore, the Petitioner is ineligible for assistance. The Petitioner does not dispute the Department's determination that his total monthly countable income exceeds the acceptable income limitations prescribed by the Department. However, he contends that because of high utility bills, and other recurring costs, he is in need of assistance to meet his financial burdens. Unfortunately, only countable income received during the month of the application is relevant in determining eligibility for benefits.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that the application of Erwin V. Kunz for energy assistance be denied. THIS RECOMMENDED ORDER entered on this 16th day of July, 1982, in Tallahassee, Florida. WILLIAM B. THOMAS, 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 16th day of July, 1982. COPIES FURNISHED: Mr. Erwin V. Kunz 476 Spring Drive Ocala, Florida 32672 Joseph E. Hodges, Esquire 2002 North West 13th Street Gainesville, Florida 32601 Susan B. Kirkland, Esquire Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services Building 1, Room 406 1323 Winewood Boulevard Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Findings Of Fact Adele Conover is a veteran's widow whose regular income consists of a widow's pension of $277 per month and food stamps. She owns her home and is the sole member of her household. On March 19, 1982 Petitioner submitted an application for benefits under the low-income home energy assistance program. She listed her income as $277 from the veteran's widow's pension. In March 1982 Petitioner was given a part-time job by the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services as a clerk typist at an hourly rate of pay of $3.58. (Exhibit 1) Pay for the work performed at HRS in March was received by Petitioner on April 1, 1982. Respondent's denial of Petitioner's application for low-income home energy assistance benefits was based upon the salary earned by Petitioner while working for HRS in March 1982. The salary, when added to her unearned income of $277, exceeded the $359 per month income limit for eligibility for low-income energy assistance for single member households.
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 27, 1984, Petitioner filed an application for assistance and benefits under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). Her application was timely reviewed by Linda Peterson, an analyst with the Respondent who is involved with the processing of applications received under the LEAP program. (Respondent's Composite Exhibit 1) Petitioner's application revealed that she received $435 during the month of November 1984, the month of her application for benefits under the LEAP program. By written notice dated February 6, 1985, Petitioner was advised that her application for assistance under the LEAP program was denied in accordance witch Chapter 409.026 and .508, Florida Statutes, and Rules 10C- 29.05, .09 and .13, Florida Administrative Code. Specifically, she was advised that her gross cash income received was $435 and that the maximum monthly income limit for her household during the month of application was $415. As stated, Petitioner, or a representative on her behalf, did not appear at the hearing.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is hereby recommended that the Respondent, Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, enter a final order denying Petitioner's application for assistance under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. RECOMMENDED this 28th day of June, 1985, 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 28th day of June, 1985.
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.
Findings Of Fact The Petitioner, Peggy Sue Hynson, applied for low income home energy assistance payments by an application filed with the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services at its New Port Richey service center on November 8, 1993. After reviewing the application and determining that additional verification was needed, the Department sent a letter to Petitioner requesting additional verification of the Petitioner's income on November 13, 1983, by United States Mail at the following address: 305 West Pinewood Drive, Holiday, Florida 33590. The Petitioner did not receive the Department's letter requesting additional verification of income. On November 29, 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 13, 1983. Prior to the deadline of the program, the Petitioner contacted the Department through the local food stamp office concerning her pending application for low income home energy assistance. At that time, she was told that the Department was behind and that she would hear from the Department concerning her application. The first notice she received from the Department was notice of the denial of her application. The Petitioner testified at hearing that her husband earned $112 per week during the period of eligibility determination, which was the only income in the family. Petitioner, her husband, and her child receive food stamps, live in Zone 4, and constitute a family of three.
Recommendation Because the Petitioner did not actually receive the Department's letter requesting additional information, and because the Petitioner contacted the Department prior to the deadline concerning her pending application and was not advised of the pending request for additional information, it is recommended that the Petitioner's application for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program benefits be reinstated. Further, 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. Peggy Sue Hynson 305 West Pinewood Drive Holiday, Florida 33590 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), Home 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 David Harvey requested a hearing on April 8, 1981. After the required informal conference with a supervisor in Respondent Department Petitioner requested a formal hearing. On January 6, 1981 Harvey, 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 applied for the low income energy assistance. He lives alone in Jacksonville, Florida, has an income of $286.50 each month and receives a bill for the use of kerosene for heating purposes. Petitioner was issued a check in he amount of $200.00 to assist him in paying his heating costs for the month of January. The action was taken by Respondent within 45 days of Petitioner's application, and he was promptly paid low income energy assistance Petitioner did not dispute the evidence presented by Respondent, the facts of his residence or income, or the type of fuel used but stated that kerosene was expensive and his primary source of heat. He had expected greater benefits since is bill was large and he is crippled and old. Respondent's witness produced the signed application of Petitioner, a map of the State of Florida depicting our (4) climatic regions and a chart for determining the amount of low income energy assistance heating payments for each of the our (4) regions based on monthly income of the applicant and the type of fuel used for fully vulnerable and partially vulnerable Households. The amount of $200.00 was the correct amount accordance to the chart under 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 David Harvey. DONE and ORDERED this 11th day of June, 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 11th day of June, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Mr. David Harvey 3138 Bridier Street Jacksonville, Florida 32206 Leo J. Stellwagen, Esquire Department of HRS 920 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 The issue presented for decision herein concerns the appeal by the Respondent Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services' denial of low energy assistance benefits to the Petitioner.
Findings Of Fact Based upon my observation of the witnesses and their demandor while testifying, documentary evidence received and the entire record compiled herein, I hereby make the following relevant findings of fact. Mrs. Borbala Batu submitted an application for home energy assistance to the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services on November 26, 1983. (Respondent's Exhibit 1) On December 22, 1983, Respondent advised Petitioner by letter that in order to determine her eligibility for energy assistance, Petitioner must submit written verification of her income room 551 by providing a statement from that office; verification of cash from relatives or others for November, 1983 by providing a statement from the source, all of which must be received by Respondent on or before January 9, 1984. In that directive, Petitioner was further advised that she should call Respondent's Home Energy Unit Payments Worker, Bijan Jamkhu. (Respondent's Exhibit 2) Petitioner failed to respond to the request for verification of the additional information requested by Respondent and, by letter dated February 8, 1984, Respondent advised Petitioner that her application for assistance under the low income home energy assistance program was being denied pursuant to Sections 409.026 and 409.508, Florida Statutes, and Rules 10C-29.11 and 29.15, Florida Administrative Code. (Respondent's Exhibit 3) Respondent was able to independently determine that the Petitioner was receiving an amount ranging from $189 to $209 per month in 851 benefits. Upon independently learning of this amount, Respondent confronted Petitioner with that information and Petitioner reluctantly acknowledged that she was receiving benefits in the above amount. Further, Petitioner, through her spokesman, represents that Petitioner suffers from a language barrier and was unable to provide the information as requested by Respondent. In this regard, an examination of the documentary evidence herein reveals that the Petitioner submitted a completed application in detail and was advised by Respondent in the letter seeking additional information dated December 22, 1983 that Petitioner should call her Home Energy Unit payments Worker respecting her incomplete application. Based thereon, it is factually concluded that the Petitioner was not suffering from a language barrier to the point wherein she was unable to provide the requested information.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, Petitioner's appeal of Respondent's denial of her application for low income' home energy assistance benefits be DENIED. RECOMMENDED this 24th day of May, 1984, in Tallahassee, Florida. JAMES E. BRADWELL Hearings 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, 1984. COPIES FURNISHED: Harold Braynon, Esquire District Legal Counsel 201 West Broward Boulevard Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33301 Borbala Batu 3100 West Rolling Hills Circle, Apt. 310 Davie, Florida 33328 David Pingree Department of Health & Rehabilitative Services 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 Sue Kammer requested a formal hearing after the required informal conference with a supervisor employed by Respondent Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. On June 16, 1981 Kammer, a white female who lives alone, filed a Household Application for low income energy assistance. She was notified on June 17, 1981 that the application must be accompanied by verification of income and a Medical Certification for Cooling. She filed the verification of income and notified the Respondent that the medical certificate had been sent to the Central Florida Migrant and Community Health Center, Inc. This clinic closed, and Petitioner sought help from the clinic in Sanford, Florida. A physician there notified Petitioner by letter dated July 30, 1981 that the medical conditions required to show eligibility for cooling benefits could not be found on Petitioner's medical chart, and therefore he could not sign the medical certificate. Petitioner then sought help from her former physician, who signed the certificate, and Petitioner filed it on August 6, 1981. The Notice of Application Denial was dated July 25, 1981.
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 granting 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: Ms. Sue Kammer 2500 Howell Branch Road, #349 Winter Park, Florida 32792 Samuel P. Stafford, Esquire David H. Pingree, Secretary Department of HRS Attn: Susan B. Kirkland, Esquire 400 West Robinson Street, Department of HRS Suite 912 1323 Winewood Boulevard Orlando, Florida 32801 Tallahassee, Florida 32301
