WEEL            Page 5

On June 8, 1998 welfare activists and the Montana Department of Health and Human Services unveiled Montana's Welfare Recipients Bill of Rights.
WEEL board member, Shelley
Icenhower provided leadership in drafting the bill and negotiating with state
officials.  "Recipients will be receiving a copy of the Bill of Rights from their local offices and the state will be printing posters which will appear in welfare offices across the state."  According to Shelley Icenhower "this will provide the
information for recipients to know what their rights are.  This bill of rights is the departments commitment to recipients to uphold these rights."
This is a substantial victory for all welfare recipients across the state!!
Thank you to Shelley and all the activists who worked together to make this possible.

and the FAIM participant both signing the written
explanation of programs and benefits;

-participate in the establishment of activities in your Family Investment Agreement (FIA) that best serve your needs.  You may renegotiate your FIA agreement;

-timely notification of FIA Renewal appointments with the Office of Public Assistance at least three weeks prior to the appointment.  A reminder
notice will be sent at least one week prior to the appointment.  If additional documents are known to be needed,  the letter will include a list of  needed information;

-a process allowing for the establishment of good cause before a sanction is imposed.  A reasonable time will be provided for the good cause process to occur;

-be informed before and at the time of a sanction what the process is to continue benefits during the appeals process;

-have a third party present at fair hearings with the county Office of Public Assistance.  you may also have a third party accompany you to meetings and appointments.  If provided to the Office of Public Assistance, a slit of advocacy organizations in the community will be made available;

-view the information you have provided in your personal case file located at the  Office of Public Assistance.  You may correct information that has been recorded incorrectly by filing a statement with the correct information;

-timely correction of any error made in the
calculation of your benefits by the Office of
Public Assistance or its contracting agencies, and any financial restitution which is required;

-reasonable accommodations for disabilities.

The staff of the Offices of Public Assistance are committed to building productive relationships.  We respect the diversity of the participants.  We listen carefully and, with resources available,
customize our services.  We form partnerships with other community resource providers to enhance employment options.

You have the right to:

-receive courteous, respectful  and fair treatment;

-be informed verbally and in writing of all programs and benefits available through the Office of Public Assistance.  Receipt of this information will be acknowledged by the FAIM Coordinator