MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County Manager Josh Potosek issued a press release on January 23 saying the county was taking immediate action to address a large backlog of applicants applying for the …
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MONTICELLO, NY — Sullivan County Manager Josh Potosek issued a press release on January 23 saying the county was taking immediate action to address a large backlog of applicants applying for the federal Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) through the Department of Family Services (DFS).
Beginning the next day, the county assigned a significant number of additional DFS staff members to process the applications. Potosek said he will be receiving updates on a daily basis to ensure that the backlog is addressed expeditiously. He added that if more staff from other departments were necessary to work in conjunction with DFS staff in processing applications, filing paper work, and answering and returning phone calls, he would arrange that.
The release came a day after Sandy Shaddock, a vice president and business agent for Teamsters Local 445, spoke during a public comment period and strongly criticized the department and commissioner Randy Parker for the way HEAP and also Medicaid and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (formerly food stamps) applications have been handled.
Shaddock accused the DFS of violating federal law by not giving services to qualified applications in a timely matter, and she cited court cases that appeared to back up her assertions.
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