Mainstream Benefits and Assistance for Katrina Evacuees

Teleconference on Mainstream Benefits and Assistance for Katrina Evacuees – October 5, 2005

Speaker: Roger Casey, Program Manager, Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program.

The Department of Veterans Affairs Grant and Per Diem Program provides funding to promote the development and provision of supportive housing and services with the goal of helping homeless veterans achieve residential stability, increase their skill levels and income, and obtain greater self-determination.

Only programs with supportive housing (up to 24 months) or service centers (offering services such as case management, education, crisis intervention, counseling, etc.) are eligible for these funds. The program has two levels of funding: the Capital Grant component and the Per Diem component. The Capital portion of the grant funds can be used for the acquisition, rehabilitation, and construction of a building for use as service centers or transitional housing for homeless veterans. The Per Diem funds are used to reimburse the organization for the services that are offered to veterans at the service centers.

The VA Medical Centers started evacuating patients at the first sign of the hurricane. Medical services were made available during the evacuation in the mobile medical clinics. The Veterans Benefits Administration used their outreach workers to prepare and distribute benefits checks during and after the evacuation.

During the first couple of days after the hurricane, there was a big struggle on weather the VA should provide disaster services. The decision was made to use the homeless coordinators in the disaster areas to help setup and provide outreach for evacuees. So far they outreach workers have had around 11,000 contacts with veterans.

This aggressive outreach from the homeless coordinators took place in the mobile health clinics and remained in place for 30 days after the hurricane. The VA was also able to increase bed capacity at existing sites for Houston and Baton Rogue to help with the influx of homeless veterans. In the next couple of months the VA will also be disbursing emergency per diem money to assist agencies who are assisting veterans with transitional housing placement.

For more information or if you have additional questions you can reach Roger Casey or any member of his staff at 1-877-332-0334.

Speaker: Barbara Sard, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

FEMA is currently working its way to a housing policy following the hurricane. There are several components to the current effort.

1.       Mobile homes-120,000 bought or contracted to be bought.

2.       Pressing local and state to front the cost for housing.

3.       Establishing a new temporary rental policy-will flow through FEMA.

FEMA will provide temporary rental assistance for 3 months to home owners and renters who are displaced. Assistance is $2,358 which is 3 times the monthly market rate for the fair market value of a 2-bedroom house. In the future there may be some adjustment for size and location, but none have been given yet.

Legally these funds can only be used for rent, families must pay for the utilities out of their own funds. The question remains as to what will happen at the end of the three months.

HUD is providing assistance to those who were previously had HUD benefits and those who are homeless. They also issued a definition of what homeless is:

        1. look at the local CoC definition.

        2.  Verified as being homeless by an agency records.

The definition/clarification of homeless may restrict the money HUD is providing. In some cases, HUD is able to provide security deposits and the housing authority will sign a contract for up to 18 months to secure the lease for evacuees.

For either of these programs to work there must be rental units available, but currently there are not that many units available. The current supply is not that great, the question remains as to what happens if there are not any units available for the people who need them.

Speaker: Dennis Barrett, Families USA.

Bipartisan legislation has been proposed to provide money to Medicaid survivors. Currently 7 states have adopted waivers for getting Medicaid to displaced survivors.

Non Waiver States – For evacuees who are in states that took part in the waivers, they can get Medicaid in an interstate waiver. Emergency waivers are given for medical purposes in which a person’s health would be in danger if they travel. An evacuee can also become a resident of a new state and apply for assistance there. The rules of eligibility state that you just have to have an intent to remain in the state, there is no length requirement.  All of the states have their Medicaid eligibility listed on their HHS websites.

Wavier States – If evacuees are residing in a state that took part in the wavier, they are allowed 5 months of coverage.

Many states do not like to accept other states’ payments because they reimburse at different levels. If you are having trouble getting assistance, Medicaid agencies can help with applications.

Dennis can be reached at 202-628-3030. More information can also be found on www.familiesusa.org

Speakers: Pip Colvin/Geri Henchy, Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).

Food Stamps

The regulations on the USDA waivers have become much easier for homeless shelters to use since the hurricane. It is similar to the school lunch program. Organizations can get reimbursed for up to 3 meals a day at a rate of $5.91 per person for 3 meals. The waivers for food stamps can be waived at homeless shelters automatically. Visit www.frac.org for toolkits and information on both shelter and individual needs.

There are 4 types of Food Stamps.

        1. Regular – any person can apply

        2. Evacuee – deemed homeless, can apply and receive $50 in certain areas         
            for expedited funds until your paperwork is approved. The eligibility has gone 
            up to $45 per family of 4 for this year.

        3. Expedited food stamps because of homelessness, you will need identification 
            but it can be verbal. Approval can take up to 72 hours. In certain states some 
            counties are now offering food stamps for hot food and prepared food at grocery 
            stores.

        4. People receiving food stamps will continue to receive them at the maximum 
            rate. Also, students are now eligible regardless of the number of hours they are 
            taking. Anyone in the household can apply regardless of other services, no 
            other benefits are taken into account to determine eligibility.

Speaker: Ed Beane, Social Security Administration, Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

So far the there have been 10 office closures in Texas and 6 in Louisiana. The SSA is working with local post offices to make sure checks get sent out. Offices are also staying open late and in several areas extra offices have opened up. For more information on what offices are open or how to go about getting benefits visit http://www.ssa.gov/emergency/. In most cases offices have waived the rules to get things processed for evacuees.