University Daily Kansan, November 17, 1982
Page 9
In response to state fiscal crisis
SRS proposes reductions in general assistance
By JULIE HEABERLIN Staff Reporter
The latest budget reduction proposal by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services would eliminate general assistance payments to local agencies in Douglas County, a local SNS official said yesterday.
Ernest Dyer, SRS income and maintenance section chief for the lawrence office, and most of these people live in poor conditions, people and couples without children.
The SRS proposal, released yesterday, suggests a $4 million to $5 million reduction in general assistance benefits in response to the state fiscal crisis. If approved, the SRS proposal would take effect Jan. 1.
RSGS lost all hope of a supplemental $8 million state appropriation for 1983 when Gov. John Carlin announced the state financial crisis Saturday.
WILLIAM RICHARDS, SRS commissioner for income, maintenance and medical services, said the SRS general assistance program was singled out because its budget was made up entirely of state dollars. Other SRS programs, such as food stamps and aid to dependent children, have state budgets that are matched with federal funds.
"General assistance payments have risen dramatically," Richards said. We focused on general assistance bonds because our most savings related to state dollars.
"It's a time when you just have to make choices. Anything we do at this point is going to cause problems. You live in hope and die in despair."
Dyer said he could not comment yet on whether the new budget reductions would create life-threatening situations in the Lawrence area.
"It depends on a lot of things," Dyer said. "The people losing general assistance are those that have the ability to work. They have been legally paid their payments, and not they must find another source of income.
IT DEPENDS on job availability, and family and friends who will be willing to help them out."
In its proposal, SRS included a one-time transitional payment of $100 in a 12-month period, but no further payment was due. Those who will lose general assistance.
Richards said this payment was not in to guez against possible plaintiffs.
But State Rep. Jessie Branson, D-Lawrence, said the single $100 payment, equivalent to a monthly payment for many recipients, would not go far in helping those who could not find jobs.
"I'm very concerned about people who are unemployed who have gone off unemployment benefits," Branson said. "We have the moral obligation to provide food resources to those who will not have food, shatter and warmth for the winter."
BRANSON, WHO has been a strong legislative supporter of social programs, said she had not yet discussed the proposal with SRS officials.
"I'm certainly not condemning SRS. I realize they are faced with cuts they have to make." Bramun said. But she added, "We've already had been reduced 4 percent this year."
summer along with other state agencies, had the staff to determine what would cause life-threatening situations.
Richards said that the public would be able to voice criticisms in an open hearing tomorrow, which may produce modifications in the proposal. After the proposal is adopted, it will go to the governor of Delaware and the Legislature for temporary approval, until the entire legislative body can vote on it.
Because the proposal, if approved, is not scheduled to take effect until Jan. 1., those losing assistance would receive their December payment, Dyer said.
"It will be the end of January before any real effects are seen," Dyer said. "If expect a good percentage of these people to pay for the $100 transitional payment."
SRS OFFICIALS estimate that 3,700 Kansans will lose general assistance if the proposal is approved.
The SRS proposal would continue general assistance to families in which one or all of the members are physically incapacitated, mentally restrained, or undergoing a treatment program or residing in a drug and alcohol abuse facilities.
Assistance would also be provided to those participating in vocational rehabilitation training, those needed in the home to care for another family member, those needing self-care and families in which the adult member is 51 years old or older.
The SRS office, 319 Perry St., will use a tele-net system so that local people can come to the office tomorrow, hear visible meeting and call in comments.
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