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Prairie State Legal Services - "Making a Positive Difference" |
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| Grace's Story Public Aid |
| Grace and her husband followed the rules. They were doing their best to raise their three daughters. Her husband’s wages were not enough to cover all expenses, so food stamps were a necessity. As a participant in the food stamp program, Grace knew she must report changes in household income. So when her husband’s income rose over a few weeks, she reported the change. No adjustment in food stamps was made. Some time later, however, Public Aid noted that there had been a $360 overpayment and notified Grace. She repaid the overpayment. Then the Department decided that her overpayment was an intentional error and she should be sanctioned from receiving food stamps for six months. This would be a disaster for her family of five. |
| Turning to Prairie State, Grace sought a way to preserve this essential source of food for her family. A Prairie State Attorney represented her in an administrative hearing where the sanctions were upheld. The Department had properly followed policy. However, there was no evidence that this was an intentional error and once an appeal was filed with the Circuit Court, the Department of Human Services withdrew the sanction. Grace and her family were able to maintain this critical source of food. |