DHS energy assistance program helps Georgians with their home heating bills

As the colder winter months approach, the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) will once again help Georgians struggling to keep up with the cost of heating their homes.

The agency’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will receive approximately $65.4 million dollars in federal funds, under the continuing resolution limitation, to assist low-income, elderly and disabled Georgians with their heating bills.

On November 2, 2009, local community action agencies began administering all available funds under state contracts, and homebound and elderly (aged 65 and older) households were able to begin applying for help.

All other eligible families may apply starting December 1, 2009. In most cases, payments will be made directly to the home energy supplier for gas, electricity, propane gas, wood, coal or kerosene. Qualifying applicants will receive payments of either $310 or $350.

To participate in the program, the family must meet a yearly income equal to or less than 60 percent of the state median income. For a one-person household, that would be $21,458; for two people, $28,061; for three people, $34,663; for four people, $41,266; for five people, $47,868; for six people, $54,471, for seven people, $55,709; for eight people, $56,947 (for each additional person, add $1,238 to annual income).

To qualify, applicants must bring their most recent fuel bill or statement of service from their heating provider. They also must have proof of income for all household members for the last 30 days. This may be paycheck stubs, a letter granting public assistance, Social Security or unemployment benefits. Applicants must also have social security numbers for all household members. Verification of age will be required for all elderly households.

Assistance will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program will close April 30, 2010, or when funds are exhausted.

For more information, contact the Division of Family and Children Services, Community Based Programs in metro Atlanta, by calling 404-656-2323 or toll free at 1-800-869-1150.

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Georgia DHS among ‘best employers for workers over 50’

The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) was recently named among the Best Employers for Workers Over 50 by AARP. The agency demonstrated exemplary practices for recruiting, retaining and promoting older workers.

“We are extremely honored to receive an award which speaks to the core of our agency – our employees,” said B.J. Walker, DHS commissioner. “More than thirty-five percent of our employees are over the age of 50 and have an average tenure of more than 13 years. We take pride in their work ethics and all they have given to this agency and the people we serve.”

According to AARP, DHS has created and fostered a workplace that is supportive of the contributions older workers offer to the business community. DHS uses the Senior Community Service Employment Program to help train and place workers who are 55 years and older. The agency also works with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to attract and recruit mature workers.

DHS offers an array of development opportunities for employees, including in-house classroom training, online training and certification classes. Last year, all DHS employees took part in at least one training opportunity, with the average employee receiving 52 hours of instruction. DHS also enables staff to participate in team projects, a formal mentoring program and extensive training.

DHS also incorporates employee opinion surveys into the decision-making process and has made changes, such as greater work flexibility. Full-time employees are eligible for a host of individual and family health and financial benefits, including long-term care and retirement planning. DHS also offers paid time off, unpaid time off and long-term leaves of absence for those employees with caregiving responsibilities.

More than 200 employers applied for the 2009 Best Employers for Workers Over 50 honors, the highest total in the nine-year history of the program designed to highlight exemplary policies toward employees over 50.

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DHS: Furlough Plan Will Not Affect Critical Services

As the Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) prepares to close operations on state-mandated furlough days, critical human services like child welfare and adult protective services will still be available throughout Georgia during the scheduled closings.

DHS will close offices on 12 separate days between September 2009 and June 2010. All but two of those days will be Fridays in order to have the minimum impact on the availability of services. Although DHS offices will be closed on furlough days, the public can still gain access to virtual services by visiting www.dhs.georgia.gov. In addition, DHS employees will still receive reports of child or elder abuse.

“Taking these furlough days is the best way to address Georgia’s budget shortfall while avoiding massive layoffs,” said DHS Commissioner B.J. Walker. “But even on the few days when our physical offices must close, we will be vigilant for Georgia’s children and elders who need protection.”

During furlough days, the procedure for reporting child or elder abuse remains the same. If a child or older adult is in immediate danger, call 911 immediately. In all other cases, child abuse, neglect or exploitation concerns should be reported to the DFCS office in the county where the child lives. A list of DFCS offices is available at the DFCS web site at http://dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov/.

Non-emergency reports of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation should be made by calling the Adult Protective Services (APS) Central Intake Unit toll-free at (888) 774-0152. Metro Atlanta residents can call (404) 657-5250.

DHS offices will close on the following days:

● Friday, September 4, 2009
● Friday, October 9, 2009
● Wednesday, November 25, 2009
● Thursday, December 31, 2009
● Friday, January 8, 2010
● Friday, February 5, 2010
● Friday, March 5, 2010
● Friday, April 2, 2010
● Friday, May 7, 2010
● Friday, May 21, 2010
● Friday, June 4, 2010
● Friday, June 18, 2010
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