Michigan Families Battle For Welfare Benefits

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Hundreds of Michigan residents are undergoing administrative hearings with the state Department of Human Services as they try to hold onto their welfare benefits.

DHS spokesman Jim Walkowicz commented on the cuts.

"One, this is wrong just to do this to the clients, to cut off the poorest of the poor while the state keeps giving tax breaks to big corporations," said Walkowicz.

"But, also from the employees point of view, I'm concerned about the safety because it's the politicians and officials in Lansing that make these decisions, but it's our employees who have to face the clients on a day-to-day basis ... and we take the brunt of the anger."

The Department of Human Services has used the "rocket docket" approach in the past to resolve cases quickly. But opponents say the procedure is unfair to recipients because the hearings are rushed and short.

Opponents picketed Monday outside a department office in Detroit where dozens of the hearings are scheduled to take place. They say the state plans to hold hearings on 929 cases statewide Monday and Tuesday.

State public assistance clients arrived at DHS offices at 8:30 a.m. Monday, told they wouldn't get a hearing if they were late. The hearings are held by phone, but Walkowicz and said face-to-face hearings can be requested.

Opponents include United Auto Workers Local 6000, which represents many of the state workers who deal with welfare cases.

Michigan began strictly enforcing state and federal time limits on Oct. 1. About 11,000 families could lose benefits.

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