Evening star., 1947-07-18
NewApp|icants
Barred asCity
Exhausts Relief
Appropriation Bill
Delay Responsible
For Lack of Funds

Dozens OF new appllcantS 1Or re-
lief funds are being turned away
daily by the Public Assistance Di-
vision of the Public Welfare Depart
ment with the explanation, There
just isn't any money"
Congress delay in completing
action on the District appropriation
bill is responsible.
Further, if the measure does nob
become law quickly, August l dis
bursements to individuals and fam
lilies on the regular roll" will be de-
layed.
Most regular roll cases-those
known to the division for some time
and whose circumstances have not
changed-received their July checks,
according to Donald Gray, superin-
tendent.
The division had 5000, 900 under a
stopgap appropriation, he explained,
but the regular roll exhausted this,
and nothing remained for this
months new cases.
So, the people who come in for
the first time-they average be-
tween Is and 80 day, Mr.. Gray
said-get no help.
I'VE can't do anything for them,
and we can't refer them in a group
to any private agency" he said.
Mr.. Gray explained private char
liable organizations have no surplus
funds to care for cases they expect
to be aided by public funds.
I'VE have been trying to pick out
a few of the neediest to refer to
individual private agencies we think
may be able to help them" he said.
For the rest, there's nothing to do
but throw themselves on the mercy
of their landlords and try to get
credit. at the corner store"
He added the private agencies,
when able to help, are doing so with
the hope they will be repaid by the
recipients when public money again
becomes available.
The division is processing all new
applicants, however, SO checks may
be sent the deserving ones promptly
when funds are received, Mr.. Gray
said.
The division is due to receive soon
it's quarterly allotment from the
Federal Security Agency under the
grant-in- aid programs for certain
classes of cases. and this money
may become available before the
appropriation bill is signed, he
continued
August Delay Probable.
Mr.. Gray said there will be a lag
of about 10 days after the bill is
signed before the money can be
drawn on, which circumstance makes
a delay in the August l mailing
of checks to regular cases probable.
Regular recipients of aid usually
are sent checks on the first of the
month to cover their needs during
that month. New applicants are
paid amounts in proportion to the
remaining part of the month in
which they are approved for assist
ance.
How much does this cost, and
where does it go?
Figures for June.
Mr.. Gray gave the following fig
ures for June:
A total of $267,1 was spent on
5,2l4 cases, representing 9,790 in
dividuals. These were broken down
in this way:
Old-age assistance, 1884 persons;
aid to dependent children. 5,675 per-
sons; general public assistance, 458
persons in family groups and 1,109
not in family groups;
aid to the blind, 214 persons.
The average monthly payments by
were:
Old age, $40.07; dependent chill
dren, 1892; blind, 1921; general,
in family group, $25.O7; general, not
in family group, $44.84.
Cases Being Reviewed.
And our food costs are being
computed on the basis of 1912
prices" Mr.. Gray commented.
If the cut in budget estimates
made by the House is retained, the
division will be obliged to slash 10
per cent from its present total al
lotments.
1t already has instituted a review
of all cases in an effort to find some
which might be stricken.
New stricter rules of eligibility
probably will be announced as re-
suit of this study, Mr.. Gray indi-
Gated.
El PL D-:I.