Evaluating Eligibility Rules

Evaluating Eligibility Rules
Anna Andreula
HSM 240
Dawn Collins
May 31, 2015

Human service organizations vary from time to time. All have a set of goals and objectives, social problems, and rules that need to be addressed on a regular basis. These rules are mainly used to determine what families or individuals are eligible for specific benefits. The objective for eligibility rules is to determine who needs the benefits the most and if in fact, those who have applied for benefits are truly utilizing these benefits and allocating them appropriately. “The decentralized disarray of the U.S. welfare system creates literally hundreds of public and private programs that offer welfare services and benefits. Each has a somewhat
“ A common and concrete example is eligibility for medical benefits, which is always contingent on the discretion of the physician (or physician surrogate)” (Chambers and Wedel, 2005). Evidently, this rule allows for social workers and case workers to make decisions which may or may not be challenged through a judicial hearing. The Department of Human Services offers a benefit known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which helps aids families receive medical care. “DFD offers a variety of support services and financial aid to kinship caregivers, who may be eligible for monthly payments through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The children under their care may be eligible for Medicaid health insurance” (The Department of Human Services, 1996). With this stated, it is apparent that some of these rules are utilized by the Department of Human Services and promoted a structured settlement when applying these benefits to those who really need
“WorkFirst New Jersey (WFNJ) is the state’s public assistance program, designed to help families move to self-sufficiency by offering them a full array of supports, from child care, health insurance and transportation, to substance abuse treatment and emergency funds. Recipients face a five-year lifetime limit on cash assistance, and must become employed or take part in work activities” (The Department of Human Services, 1996). The stigmatization occurs solely if a social worker or human service agency feels they are contributing to households with their funds, who do not really need the extra funding and the allocation of funds then tends to become misused and over utilized. “ To be stigmatized means to be marked as having lesser value, to bear the burden of public disapproval” (Chambers and Wedel, 2005). This may cause an issue for those who believe certain individuals should not be receiving welfare or food stamps. A perfect example of stigmatization would be a family of five or more that only has one income but continues to produce offspring and receive benefits. When applying for food or housing benefits, the families must reveal very detailed information about their income and household. Considering they will be exposing all details it allows for the people to accept being apart of the stigma and can