HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-06-14 265 AD ORDER265 AD
Introduced by Councilor Gags, tune 16, 1976
CITY OF BANGOR
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By the Oft CsyaNd of at CAM OtBoamr.
ORDERED,
MT the "GUIDELINES FOR THE ACKINISTRATION OF GBNEFAL. ASSISTANCE
IN THE CITY OF BANGOR, MAINE", previously adopted by the Banger City
Council, be hereby emended asfollows:
(1) That the existing Introduction be repealed and
-
replaced with the following;
INTRODUCTION
Under the common Law publicauthorities w not
obliged to provide assistance for the indigent. However,
as early as the loch Century, legislative bodies have
cognized the necessity of giving at least some kind of
relief to persons who are
unable to care for themselves,
and who are indigent for y ns beyond their Control.
rol.
The poor laws of Massachuar
etts care the precedent of the
enactment of Maim poor laws when Maine acquired state-
hood in 1820. Today, in the State of Maine, the municipal
welfare program known as "General Assistance" survives a
the residual method for providing .aid on the basis of need
to eligible applicants. Generally speaking, a person who
is eligible for general assistance is one who is so destitute
end helpless as to be dependent upon public charity for all
ofl portion of his needs. Whether'4 person qualifies for
such assistance is a question of fact to be determined i
n
accordance With these Guidelines by employees (caseworkers)
of the public Welfare Department at the time the relief i
requested. , In granting general assistance to the poor, the
caseworker is faced With's great variety of circumstances.
The dilein a of,trying to treat all applicants equally and
fairly, yet to be able to ,justify the expenditure of tax
dollars for such assistance, Cohen L be accomplished by the
most competent caseworker without some reasonable direction
IN CIW COMIL
365 All
June 14,1976
passed'
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Title, .
RECEIVED
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GITY BAGOR
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CITY C t.OF
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In aTea bia
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Councilman
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or guidelines. Unfortunately, the Maine statutes provide
only a general statement as to municipal responsibility for
general assistance. The purpose of these Guidelines is to
provide appropriate guidelines for caseworkers and recipients
in the granting of general assistance n the city of Bangor.
(2) That the Central Assistance policy. page 2, second
paragraph he amended by deletion of the last sentence.
(3) That the General Assistance Policy, page 2, be ameMed by
inserting'a new paragraph after the second paragraph, as follows;
Assistance in the City of Bangor will be provided In
the form of grants for periods not
texceed o calendar
month. In order to be eligible fore grant of assistance
the applicant moat meet all eligibility requirements of
these Guidelines. It is the policy of the City to not make
grants of cash directly to the recipient. Whenever possible
the Welfare Departmentshall provide for grants of benefits
n kind or by means of direct payments to vendors of goads
or services provided to recipients.
In addition to meeting the statutory duty of providing
general assistance grants, the Welfare Director shall also
maintain limited funds for providing emergency assistance
within the spirit and intent of these Guidelines, but only
for persons
not otherwise meeting the strict minim require-
ments of eligibility. These emergency fonds shall be available
on a one-tim basis only and shall be expended at the sole
I Lactation of the Welfare Director.
(4) That the General Assistance Policy, page 2, fourth paragraph,
third line be amended as follows:
. political affiliation ex-aeEEFemeeE-x#Eh#n-Eha
state. 11
(5) That the following definitions, pages 3 and 4, be deleted:
Pat BeRe-Beatad0et-ossa-Ehe-Haeie}ee}}ey-Ear-thaft
ayaB er p ---PDE asst-presePE-£a-Eha-9 #Ey-ef-Beager-bks
-e}4646fe-Ee-ra�e}m-geroral-see#esea<e-#n-aeeesdaeee
w}Eh-Eheae-9a}da}}e¢e.
Petasne-PeeeeeE-}e-the-Hats#efpe}}Ey x--Paxee�-whe-see
phye#ea#ky-pea�enE-fa-she-a#Ey-eE-Baur-and-wqs-a}¢e
have -a- ease p-E}xed-abode-ha-wkiek-they- intend-te-e bay
xfehkn-the-¢feypts-paspeeem-e£-sheet-Ga4dek}weeotogs
lets-r'peeeene-pareoases-fn-khe-Hoofs 4peh}tyu-e Mk} -wee
f�e}sde-ehemeapex -who-we}anby-ms mate -the -they[
-wM-are -Baeeupeated-Ee-tqe-gtky-}Ty-by-ethexet-£es-the
ae}e-pntpee-eE-ebeafw}ng-a xv4eec-peev}ded-qy-Me
Psb}ie-Ne}Ease-BepasEment. a
(b) That the followingdefinitions be added in appropriate
alphabetical order, on pages 3 and 4, and all terns defined therein be
remmbered accordingly.
Resident.,. For purposes of these Guidelines, aesident
TO _definedasa person who has lived in a municipality
for a period of at least 30 consecutive days immed lately.
prior to the date of the person's application for
assistance, the date of the person's receipt of out-
patient treatment an or admission to a hospital or the
date of the person's death.
Great of assistance. An in kind transfer payment provided
pursuant to these Guidelines to eligible applicants.
SmarRency Assistance. An in kind transfer payment provided
to person having a temporary immediate aeed as determined
by the welfare Director and not otherwise qualifying for a
grant of assistance under these Guidelines.
(1) That all references to "genial a sitance" in Sections D
through R. pages 10 through 20, be deleted and replaced with the term
"grant of assistance--
(8)
ssistance"(8) That the provisions of Section D, Subsection 2, page 10,
be deleted.
(9) Tot the provisions of Section D, Subsection 4, pages to
and 11, be amended to read as follows;
-4. Tangible Users. No person owning tangible assets
Out easily liquidated and tither than the tools of their trade,
livestock, equipment need for production of income, ordinary
household goods net exceeding $250 in value o automobile
within the limitations provided in subsection (a) below, shall
be eligible for a Grant of Assistance. However, in emergency
situations the caseworker may grant assistance to persona awning
tangible assets iv excess of the above limitations. The case-
worker will advise the client to turn all such tangible assets
Into cash to be need for the support of himself and his family.
Failure to meet this requirement may be grounds for a Denial of
assistance Won reapplication. we person will be eligible for a
Grant of Assistance in these cases where the tangible assets are
given away or transferred forlessthan full value for
purposes of qualifying for assistance under these Guidelines.
a. Motor vehloaomershi . Be person owning a metol
vehicle aha ge ell 11g1h1a fon a Grant of Assistance. However,
the ownership of one vehicle under the value of $1,D00 by an
Applicant or his dependents will not make the applicant
ineligible for a Grant of Assistance in these situations where
the vehicle is essential in one's employment or is necessary
to obtain medical treatment.
b. Insurance. No person owning any type of insurance
shall be eligible for a Grant of Assistance except as permitted
by obese Guidelines. Any application for a Grant of Assistance
will not be denied where insurance is available to the applicant
or his dependents o basis;
ontxtbutory basior to the extent
of minimum automobile liability coverage required as a condition
of employment or needed to retain employment
(10) That Section 0, Subsection Jq(b), page 12, be saw nded in
the first sentence as follows;
shall be ineligible for geeeza}_aea4elantt a
ant of assistance fora nuclei of So Save from
the date of such refusal or voluntary examination
of employment."
(I1) That Section, D, page 12, be amended by adding the following
subsections:
S. Citizenship. A.person must be a citizen of
the Mite! States or a lawfully admitted alien to be
eligible for a'grant of assistance.
9. Other seen It is required that a person
will avail himself of
ca11 other possible x s prior
to. or in conjunction with his application far assistance.
Possible other resources would include, but would not be
limited to, Social Security Benefits, Supplemental Security
Income, unemployment Compensation, V. A. Benefits, Public
Assistance Grants, any other payment or benefits, private
or ,public, for which the applicant might be eligible. The
possibility of contributions from responsiblerelativesmust
also be investigated, if there is a strong possibility that
Such contributions could or would exist.
10. Residents of the Municipality. Only persons who
are esidents of Bangor as defined herein of otherwise
qualifying for general assistance under the laws of the State
of Meme shell be eligible for g4av4 of assistance in
the City of Bangor.
(12) That Section E. Subsection (1), page 13, be amended by
adding the following sentence:
"For purposes of this definition, relocation .payments
under governmental housing programs, the bonus value
of food stamps, earnings of children under age 14, and
the monetary value of products from home gardening
shall not be included.
13 That Section G, finergenc Assistance.
t ) r 98S34±b$'zepeelea
and replaced Withthefollowing:
G. EMERGENCY ASSISTAMM
Bn-asses ken -eek i<meeeeee-may-leaa-ez
to -mea ksowes-{e-germs -se-aweea-other -than-eheee
reassessedwees'xe{e.{s-aebeteare-sed-I EmEte{ed,--faeepkee-of-eaep-
eaxemeeaaeea-{as}ede p-bee-see-nee-k}mfeed-Eee-
k.--V{etkma-of-g{xe-sad-eegex-naeerek-eeeasexepken
b--Pereane-ax-fam}k{ee-sreanded-far-eeaeeae-beyeed-egeir
eeexa}-{e-rAe-Cfry-ef-in-exc.-
3---Pexaeaezegeieixp-Eeed-tn-excess-of -the -owner
-- a;keesd-ansae-these-Bnfdal4see-beeaaae-ai-epee kak
% e}eeare-pxeb}bmt,
b--to-parental-aegleeee-needs-axe-nes -befnh-mel-dee
Ee-paxanTak-ee6leee-ae-mfasee-eE-Meaeegekd- losses
:
1. Transients. Persons, who due to unforeseeable circumstances,
fall into distress within the City while traveling to another
destination my be granted emergemq assistance to met
imeed£ate meds only in the form of food and shelter.
2. Catastrophes. Persons of femil es placed in need of i®ed}ate
aetetan ethrough unfereaeeable circumstances such as fires,
floods and hurricanes, my also receive emergency assistance
to meet their interstate needs only in the form of food and
shelter.
3. Emergency Hospitalisation.
a. A person may apply for hospital benefits for himself or
for a person for whom he is legally responsible. A legal
representative may apply on behalf of an £ndiv ideal. Eligibility
in these situations will be 13mited to the condition that the
person.or household meet the eligibility requirements of
residence, age, household, own abode, assets, available
resources and need under the indigency formula. has full
costs of hospitalization may he paid for chose persons
eligible for a grant of assistance.
b, In addition to the above, a hospital may apply on
behalf of indigence as outlined Aider 22 MRSA, Section
4483.
Eligibility, In this situation shall also be limited to
that;
1.Fee hospital has notified the department within three
(3) business days of the emergency admission. Notification
requires a telephone call confirmed by a certified letter.
2. The individual in such situations wants to make application
to city Welfare and,
3} (a) The person meets the eligibility requirements
of residence, age, household, own abode, assets,
and used under the indigency formula.
(b) The person involved does not wish to apply for
charity care that is available for low income
patients under the pill -Burton Act.
Agai , the full costs of hospitalization may be paid for those
persons eligible for a grant of assistance.
4. Excessive Income. For various reasons, it might be necessary
y
to assist a person or family even chair monthly income
is in excess of their total requirements. Beason for this might
include lose of a cheek, delay, in mail of receiving a check or
the person may have spent all their i ¢placing themselves
r their family in imsedfate need. Sv these situations, either
basic necessities or food and shelter may be provided. However,
before emergency assistance is given to persons having excessive
ince, they case[ agree to reimburse.
5. Minor Children. For various reasons it might be necessary
to assist minor children whose needs are not being met due
to parental neglect or misuse of household income. Reason, for
this might include wage earmar quitting employment, failure to
register for employment and failure of the responsible relative
to provide necessary support.
6. Excessive "Sets. A person or .family may be assisted even
though they = excessive assets. I£ immediate reed cannot
be established, the
theperson. or family is denied assistance.
Assistance under these c umstances cannot continue unless
the Individual or family takes steps to turn the assets into
available funds to off -set any relief that might be necessary.
i. Burial. The department shall provide for proper burial of
indigent persona( provided, that the total of the burial coat
does not exceed $525 and it is determined that the burial casts
cannot be paid in total from any other source or the estate of
the deceased. The department will apply any other montes
available from other sources towardthetotal burial Coate, which
My not exceed $525. The allowance for burials under these Guidelines
shall include the undertakersservices, clergy, and personal
attendants, casket, vault box, liner, hearse, and obituary.
The Welfare Department shall not pay for burials in lots outside
of the City or fpr single size lots. However, anyperson
qualifying for assistance under this section may be burled in
a lot provided by the City for such purposes. The department
will also explore the possibility there may be other sources
of payment of part or all of the burial. For example, Social
gecur ity Lump -Sum Death Benefits, V. A., etc.
8. Emergency Assistance to the Disabled Adult.
a. The purpose of this section is to provide emergency
assistance to those single adults who are in need due t
physical disability. Under this section a person is considered
disabled if they are unable to engage in any substantial,
gainful activity due to a medically determinable physical
impairment.
b. Limitations
1. W person will be eligible under this section
n.thvae situations where they have refused
rehabilitative services.
2.. If maintaining a home at the time of application,
it is permissible to use, as paid, up to $120 per
north as asthousing allosome.
(14) That the ecedule entitled '$ASIC Sekx MIM 96MfA4 ALLO ME",
Section E, page 14, be deleted 'and replaced with the following
schedgle;
5
HOBSIHO P114flA T _ r•,VM1']0 HEIT & UTILITIES
o, in Household
Jan
Feb
liar
g
1nX
Jpn
Jul
A�
EM
Cat
a!
Dec
1
Shelter or
Baum
and Board
2
130
130
130
130
130
130
130
130
130
130
130
130
3
140
140
]4O
140
140
140
140
140
140
V40
140
140
4
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
150
5
160
160
160
16D
160
160
160
160
160
160
160
160
6
170
170
170
170
170
170
170
170
170
170
170
1?O
7
180
180
180
180
180
. 160
180
180
180
180
180
380
8
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
190
9
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
200
10
210
210
210
210
210
210
210
210
210,
210
210
210
HOESIV3 PLJG AHDE - HEAT & MUTIES gGg FHOVIDM
0. in Household
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
1nX
Jun
Jul
Lal
12
eat
a!
Dee
1
Shelter or
Foom
and Hoartl
2
160
160
14o
12o
110.
110
110
110
110
120
140
160
3
170
170
150
130
120
120
120
120
ISO
130
150
170
4
180
lbo
L60
140
130
130
130
130
130
140
160
190
0
170
150
140
140
140
140
ILO
6
200
200
18o
160
50
50
50
50
50
160
110
200
7
210
210
190
170
160
160
160
160
160
170
190
210
8
220
220
200
180
170
ITO
170
170
170
180
200
220
9
230
230
210
190
180
180
190
180
180
190
210
230
10
240
240
220
200
190,
190
190
190
190.
200
220
240