Description
Advocacy at Its Best
For nearly a year, one of our clients was struggling with a minimal SNAP benefit of just $23 a month, barely enough to cover their basic needs. In September 2024, the client’s circumstances changed significantly due to a rise in rent and medical expenses. These changes should have qualified them for an increase in benefits, so on September 17, 2024, our Case Manager submitted a case change to reflect the updated expenses. However, despite the change in circumstances, the client’s benefits remained unchanged.
Upon reviewing the case, our Case Manager discovered that the expenses had been incorrectly reported, which led to the lack of a benefit adjustment. The client, frustrated and uncertain, initially expressed a desire to abandon the process. Yet, our Case Manager, committed to ensuring the client received the support they were entitled to, explained that the updated expenses did meet eligibility criteria for a benefit increase.
On October 9, 2024, the Case Manager submitted a second request to adjust the case. Yet again, the results showed no change. At this point, the Case Manager didn’t back down. They took the extra step of directly contacting the HRA SNAP department and advocating for the client. After a thorough review, an HRA representative escalated the case to the client's SNAP center for reassessment.
Finally, on October 31, 2024, the effort paid off. Our Case Manager logged into the client’s Access HRA account and discovered the long-awaited change: the SNAP benefits had been adjusted to $291 per month, retroactive to September 2024—matching the original case change request.
This success is more than just a numbers game. At Homecrest Community Services, we fight for the individuals we serve to ensure that they receive the assistance they deserve. For our client, this outcome means more financial stability and the peace of mind that comes with knowing someone is in their corner.
