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Auditor General Questions Oversight of Public Assistance Benefit Cards

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Auditor General Jack Wagner

The state Auditor General is questioning the oversight of public assistance that’s distributed through electronic benefits transfer cards.   Jack Wagner says he can’t say with assurance that the cards are being used properly and only for their intended purposes. He says that’s because the Department of Public Welfare has not provided enough records and supporting documentation for a proper review by his office.

Wagner says 5.2 million dollars in cash for welfare benefits was used for out-of-state purchases or cash withdrawals in May of 2010.  He says 80% of the transactions occurred in bordering states.  Beyond that, he says his department known nothing about the types of purchases that were made.

Wagner says they want to make sure in these tough economic times; all available resources are there for those in need.  He says  his intent is not to raise unfair suspicions about welfare recipients.  He says his concern is over DPW’s refusal to properly administer programs to prevent the system from being “gamed”.

In a special report, Wagner says DPW needs to develop an internal review process to monitor transactions made with the cards, to make sure funds are spent in accordance with their intended purpose. Wagner says that oversight should include confirmation that a recipient still resides in Pennsylvania and should restrict access to ATMs in establishments that are inconsistent with the intent of the program.

In a written statement, the Department of Public Welfare responded to Wagner’s special report on the EBT cards. The department says that it takes its responsibility to make sure benefits are provided only to those eligible very seriously. Steps have been taken to review out-of-state transactions and potentially questionable benefit usage.

The statement says with respect to the Auditor General’s request, Secretary Alexander is very interested in open and transparent government.  DPW plans to accommodate the Auditor General to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Governor Tom Corbett on assistance available to those affected by flood waters in Pennsylvania

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Disaster Unemployment Assistance Offered in Pennsylvania Counties Covered By Disaster Declarations

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An additional form of assistance is available in the 27 counties covered by the federal disaster declarations for Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.  People who are unable to work because of damage caused by the severe storms and flooding may be eligible for federal disaster unemployment assistance if they live in one of those counties.

Patrick Beatty, Deputy Secretary for Unemployment Compensation at the Department of Labor and Industry, says the deadline to apply is October 14th.  He says DUA is completely funded by the federal government and applies to those who have lost their jobs as a direct result of the storm and would not be covered under the state’s unemployment compensation law.

Beatty says it’s also available for people who have suffered an illness or injury as a direct result of the disaster and cannot work. He says the program also applies to those who are self-employed.

People can file by calling 1-877-FILE-DUA or by going to one of the Disaster Recovery Centers being established in Bradford, Columbia, Dauphin, Lycoming, Luzerne, Sullivan or Wyoming Counties.   

People who are out of work because of the storm, but are covered by the state’s unemployment compensation law, should apply for regular benefits.

Disaster Recovery Centers Now Open

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As Pennsylvanians rebuild from the recent flooding disaster, seven Disaster Recovery Centers have opened in some of the hardest hit areas of the state.  “We are going to have our agencies right in there in these centers, to use it as one-stop shopping as much as we can,” Governor Tom Corbett explained on Radio PA’s monthly Ask the Governor program. 

15-state agencies will be working alongside FEMA Individual Assistance Specialists at the DRCs.  “People can go in and say I lost my driver’s license, I need assistance, I need to sign up, or whatever,” Corbett says.  “Under federal regulation, an individual can get up to $30,200, because of this storm, if they have the damage.”  Documentation of that damage is critical.  “If people are listening to this, and they have damage, and they haven’t taken photographs, take the photographs,” Corbett recommends. 

Bloomsburg Flood - Tropical Storm Lee

The Susquehanna River overtook parts of Bloomsburg, Columbia County. Now, area residents can visit a Disaster Recovery Center at the Columbia County Agricultural Center on Sawmill Rd.

The governor says the federal government has been responsive in the wake of Tropical Storm Lee.  “I was in Shanksville with the President when he came in on Sunday,” Corbett explains, “We talked to him, I talked to his chief of staff, and was assured that we’d get the assistance as soon as everything was there, and we got the material to them very quickly.” 

Governor Corbett says PEMA and FEMA have been working together closely since Hurricane Irene hit before Labor Day.  It was the remnants President Barack Obama has issued two disaster declarations for this latest round of flooding.  One makes federal aid available to individuals, the other to local and state governments, as recovery efforts continue. 

Anyone planning on stopping by a Disaster Recovery Center should first register with FEMA, online.  The DRCs are open in Bloomsburg, DuShore, Harrisburg, Montoursville, Nanticoke, Towanda and Tunkhannock. Check the addresses below for the disaster center nearest you:

Wyoming County
Tunkannock Area School District Administration Office
41 Philadelphia Avenue
Tunkhannock, PA 18657
 
Bradford County
Towanda Fire Department
101 Elm St., Towanda PA 18848
 
Luzerne County Community College
1334 South Prospect Street
Nanticoke, PA 18634
 
Dauphin County
Harrisburg East Mall
3501 Paxton Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
 
Lycoming County
740 Fairfield Road
Montoursville, PA 17754
 
Columbia County Agricultural Center
702 Sawmill Road
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
 
Sullivan County at Loyalsock State Forest District Office
6735 RT. 220
Dushore, PA 18626

Bills Would Make English PA’s Official Language

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Two similar bills would ensure that English is the language of state government, and that polices don’t show preference for any language other than English.  State Rep. RoseMarie Swanger (R-Lebanon) says her bill (HB 361) would not force people to speak English, or outlaw any other languages.  “I consider my bill to be an encouragement… It’s encouraging those who come into the country legally, and want to function here, to learn English,” Swanger says.  “How could you function in a state where you couldn’t understand anything, you couldn’t read anything?  It just seems to me it’s very cruel that we don’t make more of an effort to get people to learn English and assimilate into our society.”

State Rep. Scott Perry (R-York) adds that by nixing all documentation and services provided in other languages, the state could save considerable money.  Perry sponsored the second bill (HB 888) knowing that polls show public support for making English the official language of the Commonwealth.  “People have their different reasons: whether it’s cultural, whether it’s for safety reasons or financial reasons, and some people have all of those reasons in mind.” 

The two bills were the subject of a near three hour hearing, Wednesday, in front of the House State Government Committee.  Executive director of the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians, Anne O’Callaghan, testified that the bills were both unnecessary and unwise.  “Passing these bills would announce to the world that Pennsylvania is more concerned with shutting people out than with incorporating them into our society,” O’Callaghan explained. 

In a statement, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Pennsylvania called it the theater of the absurd.  “The burden is on the supporters of these bills to prove why they’re needed and to prove that English is in some kind of danger,” says ACLU of PA legislative director Andy Hoover.

President Declares Disaster for Pennsylvania

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The damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee has now opened more than two dozen counties for federal assistance.    President Obama has issued a disaster declaration for 19 counties affected by the flooding.  11  counties were included an earlier disaster declaration for Hurricane Irene. Three counties were on both declarations. It means that individual assistance is available for residents and businesses in those counties if they qualify.

Federal Emergency Management Agency spokesman Bill Brubaker says businesses and individuals should document all damage and register to apply for assistance.  

The counties in the Tropical Storm Lee declaration are Adams, Bradford, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union, Wyoming, and York Counties.  The counties in the Irene declaration issued late last month were Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Sullivan, and Wyoming counties.  People and businesses must be located in one of those counties to apply.

The help can range from rental assistance for temporary housing, grants for home repairs or low interest loans to cover uninsured and under-insured losses.  There are programs for home owners, renters and businesses.

Brubaker says if you have any damage, you will need to apply, because there is a deadline.  He says some damage may not be immediately apparent.

Brubaker says home owners, renters and businesses will need to document everything, taking a lot of photographs.  The documentation should include whether or not you’ve filed an insurance claim for the damage.

To register by phone, call 1-800-621-FEMA.  You can also register on line.

The State Insurance Department is advising residents who suffered flood losses to document all of their damage, whether they’re eligible for the federal assistance or filing claims with flood insurance or home owners policies.  You should secure problems to prevent further damage, but don’t make permanent repairs until your insurance carrier says it’s OK.

To learn more about flood insurance go to floodsmart.gov. New policies have a 30 day waiting period.  The insurance covers structures for up to $250,000 and contents for  up to $100,000.

Insurance Department spokeswoman Rosanne Placey says if you don’t have flood insurance, reach out to your homeowners insurance company to see if any of the damage is covered. Remember that if a vehicle was damaged, it will be covered under your auto insurance policy if you have comprehensive coverage.

For more tips from the insurance department, visit their web site.  If you have questions, you can call  their toll free line at  1-877-881-6388.

 

Stricter Fuel Economy Standards Expected to Boost Aluminum Industry

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Automakers are making more use of aluminum for new car and light truck construction as they seek to lower the weight for their vehicles and meet the stricter fuel economy standards announced over the summer.    A new survey of North American automakers conducted by Ducker Worldwide finds aluminum is already the leading material in engine and wheel markets and is gaining fast in market share of hoods, trunks and doors.

Randall Scheps of Alcoa is chair of the Aluminum Association’s Transportation Group.  He says Pennsylvania is poised to benefit with Alcoa’s facilities in the Pittsburgh area and aluminum rolling mills around the state.

Schepps says aluminum is about 40% lighter than steel, so the shift leads to lighter vehicles. He says you have the potential to take about 400 pounds out of the typical car by the year 2025.

Schepps says it does not compromise safety, because   aluminum absorbs two times as much crash energy per pound than steel.  He adds the safety of a vehicle is really determined by good design and has less to do with the material itself. He adds the industry is continually coming up with new alloys to meet very specific needs.

Schepps says they see a large increase in demand coming from the auto business over the next 10-15 years.  He says they’ve been anticipating it and they’re ready to take it on. He believes there’s a great potential for plant expansions and the skilled jobs that come along with that.

Schepps says about 30% of all the hoods are already aluminum.  He says Ford, GM and Honda are at the leading edge of adding aluminum to their vehicles.

Some Restaurants and Food Facilities Need Inspections to Reopen After Flooding

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Restaurants and food facilities that are normally inspected by the state will need to be checked by the Bureau of Food Safety before they can reopen from flood damage.  The State Agriculture Department has brought in food sanitarians from areas not hit hard by the flooding to inspect restaurants and food facilities that were damaged.

Spokeswoman Samantha Elliot Krepps says the establishments can only be inspected after flood waters recede and the facilities are thoroughly cleaned. Food affected by flooding will have to be thrown out.  Some canned goods may be salvageable, but they must be thoroughly cleaned with a mixture of bleach and water, and relabeled. She says it’s a very tedious process.

Krepps says food sanitarians started checking some establishments over the weekend.  Some were not damaged, but were affected by boil water orders. They needed to disconnect ice machines and use alternative water sources to remain open.  Employees need to wash their hands with water that has been boiled.   Other restaurants had water damage and there were some that were destroyed.

Krepps says they want to give the restaurant owners ample time to clean up and get their facilities reopened.  She says the department’s main responsibility is to protect the public’s health and help the restaurant and food facility owners get back on their feet so they can operate.