HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 1974.11.07 - 15279Miscellaneous Resolution 6885
By Mr. Lennon
IN RE: NOTES FOR WELFARE RESOLUTION
To the Oakland County Board of Commissionerc
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen:
November 7, • 1974
On Sept. 10 the Oakland County Social Services Board, with the consent
of the Board of Commissioners, enacted new policy regulations regarding general
Assistance Clients. The regulations require all employable clients. to pick up
their checks at the Social Service Dept. every two weeks With 15 places of em-
ployment that the client has applied to for a job.
These regulations have conttituted a gread hardship to many clients
for the following reasons: -"
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1) The unemployment rate in Oakland County is twice the national
average._ Jobs for unskilled people, ex-cons, middle-aged men and women, and
those in questionable physical condition -are very hard to find. Case histories
will be provided if requested.
2) According to dudies by S.E.M.C.O.G.'there is no reliable trans-
portation in Oakland County beyond one mile of the Woodward Corridor. That is,
service that runs regularly at more than 33 minutes between intervals. The
Grand Trunk train and D.A.S.H. bus service run only at peak hours.
3) The average cash allotment to a General Assistance client is $23
every two weeks, from which they must buy food, clothing, and all personal
items. The cost of transportation is as follows: 16$0 per mile to operate a
car; Birm. Cab:650 to turn on meter plus 100 for 1/7 of a mile; Checker Cab: 600
to turn on meter plus 100 for 1/5 of a mile; D.A.S.H.: Rochester to Highland
Park, 450 for 6 miles plus 50 each additional 2 miles or $1.35 one way; Grand
Trunk Train: $1.30 one way. •
4) Since the job of M.E.S.C. is to help employable clients find work
and it would seem more logical that clients should spend what little -Money they
have going to places of employment where there is at least a chance that they
might be hired 4 why isn't M.E.S.C. providing more help in finding employnt
for these people?
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5) Why are General Assistance clients who are obviously physically .
unable to work being denied assistance and/or refused hearing dates:
Example: Woman, 50's, walks with walker, 3 spinal operations, can
not sit more than 15 minutes without pain. Worker came to house to inform
client that unless she took part-time employment her check would be cut. Client
ask for hearing. After Social Service Dorector was infcrmed.of case,. client -
was told that oheCk would not be cut if she dropped hearing complaint
Example: Man, 20, has had open heart suriery.- Got job at Oakland
Mall thinking brother -cou'id provide ride everyday which he couldnot. Can only.
do light work. Now being denied assistance because he did not take the employ-
ment. Requested hearing but received no response.
We have documented cases of clients who were told if they drop their -
hearing requests they will be given assistance. The whole object of - hearings
are to point out the fact that a regulation is not doing . what it was designed -
to do.
Novez1,-.:r 4, 1974
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Moved by Lennon supported by Mathews the resolution be referred to the
Human Resources Committee. There were no objections.