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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 12041990 - 2.3 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on December 4 , 1990 , by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Powers, Schroder, McPeak, Fanden NOES: Supervisor Torlakson ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ SUBJECT: General Assistance Grant Levels The Board received the attached report dated December 3 , 1990 from James A. Rydingsword, Social Services Director, in response to a letter dated August 23 , 1990 from the Contra Costa Legal Services Foundation. Mr. Rydingsword stated that the areas noted in the Legal Services Foundation letter have been reviewed with County Counsel. He recommended an amendment to the General Assistance Administration Standards to reflect a change in the food allowance based on the Thrifty Food Plan 1989-90 figures. He stated that the Department does not believe there is a need at this time to change the other items addressed by the Legal Services Foundation. Phil Bertenthal, representing the Contra Costa Legal Services Foundation, P.O. Box 2289, Richmond, referred to two recent Court of Appeals decisions which in his opinion cast some doubt on the methodology used by the Social Services Department to determine General Assistance grant levels. He stated that the report from the Social Services Director does not address the issues raised in the August 23 , 1990 letter from Legal Services, specifically the methodology used to determine grant . levels. Mr. Bertenthal referred to current USDA Thrifty Food Plan figures and the consumer price index, and questioned the figures used by the Social Services Department to determine food and transportation allowances. Supervisor Tom Torlakson inquired about the need to approve the report today. He referred to issues raised by Mr. Bertenthal relative to increased costs. He noted that there are specific dollar amounts referenced in the report from the Social Services Director, and expressed his reluctance to approve a report that contains dollar figures that may not be reflective of actual costs. There being no further discussion, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the report from the Social Services Director relative to the Contra Costa Legal Services Foundation challenge to the adequacy of the General Assistance program is ACCEPTED. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Social Services Director is REQUESTED to report back to the Board with further information relative to food and transportation allowances. Supervisor Torlakson advised that he was voting NO since he wished to have more information before accepting the report. cc: Social Services Director Legal Services Foundation i hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of County Counsel an action taken Pnd entered on the minutes of the County Administrator Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: n(LL�t � :z f ga p"%L BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator ei/ . �.,......Oefwty TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra . ` MOM: James A. Rydingsword, Director of � � COsta s .�:,.:_. _. County n°fT'9 -- DATE: December 3 1990 ----------- --- --C SUBJECT: General Assistance Grant Levels SPECIFIC REOUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION This reports on the August 23 , 1990, letter of Jodie Berger, staff attorney of Contra Costa Legal Services Foundation, regarding General Assistance grant levels. 1) Housing: The Social Service Department is not aware of any evidence showing that the minimal subsistence housing needs of General Assistance recipients are not being met. While a General Assistance recipient is not provided with a housing allowance unless s/he has an actual housing cost, the County houses homeless General Assistance recipients in shelters, and provides such recipients with housing vouchers for use in obtaining housing elsewhere. The Social Service Department does not believe there is a need to change the housing allowance at this time. 2) Food: The United State Department of Agriculture prepares statistical data on the cost of several nutritionally adequate diets. The least costly of these diets is described as the "Thrifty Food Plan", and it is the basis for the benefits established by the USDA for the Food Stamp Program. Under the Food Stamp Program, a table of graduated allowances provides for the actual monthly cost of any given number of persons comprising a single household to purchase an adequate and nutritionally sound diet. In order to avoid the unnecessary CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: YES SIGNATU /RL RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION 4F BO D COMMI APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): CTION OF BOARD ON APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS IH Y CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AND CO T COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS O E DATE SHOWN. CC: ATTESTED PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK O E BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADM TRATOR M382 (10/88) BY PUTY Boa d Order: General Assistance Grant Levels Page 2 r duplication of effort that would be required in the development of a minimum standard for a nutritionally adequate diet, the Department has proceeded on the basis of the USDA Thrifty Food Plan allowance for many years, and continues to recommend a monthly allowance for food in accordance with the USDA published standards. The General Assistance food allowance is currently based on the Thrifty Food Plan figures for 1988-89. The Social Service Department recommends that the food allowance be based on the Thrifty Food Plan figures for 1989-90. This amounts to an increase in the food allowance for one person from $90 per month to $99 per month. The Social Service Department recommends that an amendment to the Supervisors Resolution on the "Standards for Administration of the General Assistance Program" be adopted to reflect such changes in the food allowance. 3) Clothing: Up to $75 may be allowed for each General Assistance recipient within any 12-month period for the purpose of replacing items of clothing. In addition to the annual basic clothing allowance, there is a special clothing allowance available to those employable recipients who have verified job offers. The Social SErvice Department is not aware of any evidence showing that the clothing needs of General Assistance recipients are not being met. The Social Service Department does not believe there is a need to change the clothing allowance at this time. 4) Personal Needs: A monthly personal needs allowance of $15 for each General Assistance recipient is allowed. The Social Service Department is not aware of any evidence showing that the personal needs allowance is insufficient. The Social Service Department does not believe there is a need to change this allowance at this time. 5) Transportation: A monthly allowance of $9 for each General Assistance recipient for basic transportation is provided. Additionally, special need allowances for medical or required treatment programs, workfare, and job search are provided as needed. The amount allowed is based on an average of $1. 60 per round trip. The allowances are consistent with current actual costs. There is no need to change these allowances at this time. 6) Special Needs: There are a variety of allowances for recurring and non-recurring special needs. The Social Service Department is not aware of any evidence showing that special needs allowances are insufficient. There is no need to change these allowances at this time. JAR/LC:sjb