SAMPSON COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

“In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  Under the Food Stamp Act and USDA policy, discrimination is prohibited also on the basis of religion or political beliefs.

To file a complaint of discrimination, contact USDA or HHS.  Write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. , Washington , D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY).  Write HHS, Director, Office for Civil Rights, Room 506 F-, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. , Washington , D.C. 20201 or call (202) 619-0403 (voice) or (202) 619-3257 (TTY).  USDA and HHS are equal opportunity providers and employers.”top

Hours of Operation
All locations of the Department of Social Services are open Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays observed by Sampson County Local Government. On Call Adult and Child Protective Services are provided 24 hours a day, including weekends. top

Fees
The County Department of Social Services does not primarily operate on a fee for service basis. Individuals do pay some fees for Child Support Services. DSS administrates a number of public assistance programs governed by financial eligibility. These programs operate from state, federal and local funds. top

INCOME MAINTENANCE SERVICES

Food Assistance
The Food Assistance program provides monthly benefits that help low-income households buy food they need for good health. Persons may qualify for Food Stamps if they work for low wages, are unemployed or part-time, receive welfare or other assistance payments or are elderly or disabled and live on a small income. top

Under agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state public assistance agencies run the program through their local agencies. If the household is eligible, the amount of food assistance received depends on the number of people in the household, household reserve, and the amount of monthly income left after certain deductions are subtracted. top

Fraud
Program Integrity (Fraud) investigates reports of suspected fraud. They work toward getting funds paid back to the agency whenever someone has committed fraud or has made an error in reporting information which has caused them to be given funds they were not eligible to receive. top

Health Check and Health Choice for Children
Health Check and Health Choice provides Medicaid for Families and Children. Health Check (Medical Insurance) and NC Health Choice for Children are two very similar insurance programs that provide health insurance for children. The income information determines in which of the programs the family or the children are enrolled. Both insurance programs provide the same basic and excellent coverage which includes:

• Doctor visits
• Checkups
• Hospital Coverage
• Mental Health Care
• Prescriptions
• Eye exams and glasses
• Dental Care
• Hearing exams and hearing aids

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Carolina Access
North Carolina's Medicaid managed care program allows Medicaid recipients to choose a medical home from a list of participating providers. This doctor or clinic is referred to as a Primary Care Provider. Medicaid pays the doctor chosen to provide care for the Medicaid recipient 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If the Medicaid recipient needs to see a specialist, the primary care provider will do a referral. top

CAP
CAP is an alternative Medicaid program that provides financial asisstance that allows home care to those facing care in a nursing home. Certain income and resource tests apply to this program. Transfer of assets is also a determining factor of eligibility. top

Medicaid Long Term Care
This program provides financial assistance in the payment of the cost of care associated with nursing home institutionalization. The individual must be permanently and totally disabled or 65 years of age or older. Certain income and resource tests apply to this program. Transfer of assests is also a determining factor of eligibility. top

Special Assistance – Domiciliary Care – Rest Home
This program provides financial assistance from county and state funds to assist in the payment of the room and board for individuals needing rest home care. The individual must be permanently and totally disabled (age 18 to 64) or 65 years of age or older. There is a definite income limit and a resource test does apply in determining an indivual's eligibility for this program. Automatic Medicaid eligibility applies to Special Assistance recipients. top

Medicaid
Medicaid is a program that pays medical bills for eligible low-income people who can't afford the cost of healthcare. It also pays Medicare Part B premiums or a portion of premiums for Medicare qualified beneficiaries. Federal, state and county taxes pay the program costs. No money is paid to the client. The eligible client may receive a Medicaid identification card through the mail to show the doctor, druggist, etc.; or the recipient's Medicare premiums are paid by the state. The doctor or other healthcare provider sends his bill to the state and the state pays it. Persons eligible for medicaid may go to any provider of health services in North Carolina who participates in the Medicaid program.

Application is made at the Department of Social Services in the county of residence. Health services include hospital inpatient; inpatient laboratory and x-ray services; care through home health agencies; treatment in psychiatric hospitals and mental health centers; six prescription drugs per month; early and periodic screening and treatment; annual physical examinations for adults; medically necessary ambulance transportation; a total of 24 visits with doctor, outpatient services, podiatrist, eye examinations, hearing aids, etc. top

Transportation (Medicaid Recipients Only)
The Department of Social Services must assure that Medicaid recipients, who are unable to arrange transportation for medical services, are assisted in obtaining appropriate transportation. top

North Carolina Low Income Energy Assistance Program
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) provides a one time cash payment to help eligible families pay their heating bills. Persons who wish to apply may call the county Department of Social Services for assistance or send a representative to the department. Applications are taken early November for about 10 days. Those eligible households receive a check in early February. top

Work First Family Assistance
The WFFA Program provides money payment and Medicaid for children, living with specified relatives, who are deprived of one or both parents either by death, continued absence, or incapacity and meet the State's financial and reserve requirements. top

Work First Employment Services
This program provides supportive services by encouraging employment and training opportunities needed to move WFFA families toward self-sufficiency within a designated time limit. top

WFFA – Emergency Assistance
WFFA-EA provides a wide range of short-term assistance to a varied population that can include intact families, single parent households, WFFA families, SSI recipients, and immigrants who are admitted lawfully for permanent residence (Section III). The assistance may, by easing the immediate crisis, prevent future long-term dependence on other forms of public assistance. top

FAMILY SERVICES DIVISION
The Service Division of the agency arranges for and provides services to assist families to achieve the highest level of independent living of which they are capable. These services are designed to augment any financial programs for which these families may be eligible through casework services directed toward the following goals:

1.	Achieving or maintaining economic self-support to prevent, reduce or eliminate dependency.
2.	Achieving or maintaining self-sufficiency including reduction or prevention of dependency.
3.	Preventing or remedying abuse, neglect or exploitation of children and adults unable to protect their own interests or preserving, rehabilitating or reuniting families.
4.	Preventing or reducing inappropriate institutional care by providing for community based care, home based care or other forms of less intensive care.
5.	Securing referral or admission of institutional care when other forms or care are not appropriate or providing services to individuals in institutions.

Individuals may be eligible for the services listed below on the basis of family income, income maintenance status or without regard to income for some services. top

Health Support Services
Helping individuals and families to recognize health needs including those related to alcohol and drug abuse; to cope with incapacities and limited functioning resulting from aging, disability or handicap and to choose, obtain and use resources and mechanisms of support from all providers of health services; counseling and planning, as appropriate, with individuals, families and health providers to help assure continuity of treatment and the carrying out of health recommendations; helping individuals to secure admission to medical facilities as needed; family planning services. top

Individual and Family Support Services
Assistance to individuals and their family members in support of attempts to restructure or solidify the individual environment. Activities include counseling to enable the individual to recognize, understand, to cope with problems and conflicts in regard specifically to such areas as household management, consumer affairs, family life, alcoholism, drug addiction, mental retardation, emotional disturbance and school related problems. Such counseling is designed to help individuals independently utilize community resources, take advantage of natural support systems and achieve an adequate level of functioning within the family. top

ADULT AND FAMILY SERVICES

Child Care Services
Child care services is the provision of protection, care and developmental experiences for children ages birth through 17, for a portion of a day but less than 24 hours, in the child's own home, in the home of a caregiver, or in a child care facility. Each type of care arrangement must meet all state and local standards applicable to such arrangements.

The local purchasing agency should provide information to families and the community about what constitutes a good child care experience for a child as well as assist eligible families with the cost of child care services according to state policies. Child care services should include the provision of facilities and the essentials of daily living, a daily program of care, educational and recreational activities, remedial care and services appropriate to the age and developmental level of the child, and health supervision. top

Day Care for Adults
The provision of an organized program of services during the day in a community group setting for the purpose of supporting adult's personal independence and promote their social, physical and emotional well being. Services must be provided in a home or center certified to meet state standards for such programs.

Foster Care Services for Adults
Assistance directly to, or on behalf of, aging, blind, or disabled individuals and other adults in need of such service as the following: In finding licensed substitute homes suitable to the particular needs of such individuals when they are unable to remain in their own homes or when such service is needed to enable adults to move out of institutional care.
Services also include recruitment, study and development of family care homes and group care facilities, evaluation and periodic re-evaluation to determine if the home or facility meets the needs of the individuals it services, and consultation and technical assistance to help the facilities expand and improve the quality of care provided. top

Protective Services for Adults
Services are provided to correct or prevent further abuse, neglect, exploitation or hazardous living conditions of individuals 18 years of age or older or are lawfully emancipated minors who are unable to manage their own resources, carry out the activities of daily living or protect their own interests. Included are services to plan and counsel with such individuals or their families or caretakers to identify, remedy and/or prevent problems which result in abuse, neglect or exploitation; to arrange for appropriated alternate living arrangements in the community or in an institution; to arrange for the provision of medical, legal and other services needed and appropriate. Also includes assistance in arranging for protective placement, guardianship or commitment when needed. top

CHILDRENS SERVICES

Adoption
Adoption services are: the recruitment, study and selection of adoptive homes; social casework and other diagnostic and treatment services to prepare the child and prospective parents for placement; casework services to the child and adoptive parents to support and maintain the placement and to facilitate legal consummation of the adoption, including supervision and reports to the court; casework counseling and court related services in independent placements and in adoptions by step-parents and relatives as required by statute. top

Foster Care Services
Foster Care Services for children means social casework services through which a plan for substitute care appropriate to the child's needs is evaluated, arranged, maintained and supervised either in the home of an approved relative or in a licensed or approved home or facility when the child's parent(s) is unable to care for him adequately or to provide a suitable environment. Services include diagnostic study and evaluation and medical examinations to determine the appropriate plan for service and type of placement to meet the child's needs; preparation of the child and natural family for the separation and placement; supervision of the care of the child and of the foster care facility to assure that the child receives proper care during placement; the provision of social casework and other treatment services to facilitate the child's psychological adjustment and to assist the parents to improve conditions and enable the child to return to his own home; planning and providing services as necessary for the placement of the child in the home of other relatives, in an adoptive home or in continued foster care as appropriate. top

Foster care includes identifying children who require placement across state lines, ensuring that such placements are in suitable environments with persons or care taking facilities having appropriate licenses and effecting such placements pursuant to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.
Services also include recruitment, study and development of foster families and childcare facilities; assessment and periodic reassessment to determine if the home or facility meets the needs of the children it services; consultation, technical assistance, and training to assist foster families and care facilities to expand and improve the quality of care provided. top

Protective Services for Children
Protective Services are social services provided to children and their parents or other caretakers in response to instances of actual or suspected child neglect, abuse or exploitation. Primary elements consist of identifying children at risk, receiving and investigating reports; evaluating the degree of damage or risk to the child; cooperation with law enforcement agencies as required to obtain suitable care and services for children in or out of their own homes and initiation of court action where necessary; counseling and planning with the child's family toward the solution and prevention of problems causing neglect, abuse or exploitation; and arranging for the provision of and assisting families in utilizing appropriate services and community resources, such as foster care, daycare, health and mental health service, etc., as needed. top

Interstate/Intercounty Services to Children
The Interstate/Intercountry Services best describes an implementation of mechanisms which bring the delivery of discrete services into a legal framework. Service activities most frequently facilitate the delivery of adoption services and foster care services as children move under the protection of interstate law. Runaways protected by the interstate laws may also receive services to effect their return home. top

CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

The Child Support Enforcement Program requires that all WFFA/MA recipients, whose eligibility was established on the absence of one or both parents, must assign all rights to child support to the state. The adult is responsible for cooperating with Child Support in obtaining support from the absent parent. Child Support provides the services of locating the absent parent, establishes paternity if necessary, establishes support obligation, establishes medical coverage, collecting support and enforcing the support obligation. These services are also available to non-recipients upon application and payment of a nominal fee based upon income. top

OTHER SERVICES

Services for the Blind
To enable blind and visually handicapped individuals to attain and/or maintain the highest level of functioning possible; to promote their well being and to prevent or reduce dependency. This is achieved through a focused regiment of counseling and casework assistance to individuals and their families to help individuals choose, obtain and use needed resources, services and mechanisms of support and to enable individuals to obtain basic education. top

Work Permits
The Social Services Agency is responsible for issuing work permits for youths 14 to 17 years of age. Age must be verified by a birth certificate, driver’s license, or shot or school record. The youth has to sign the work permit in the presence of DSS personnel. top

General Assistance
Funded totally by the County, this program assists clients to overcome crisis situations. Examples of payments are for prescriptions, medical visits, food, overnight lodging, transportation and burials. Eligibility determined by income. top

Family Planning
Services include counseling (eligible clients under 100% of poverty level). top

Project Share (CP&L)
Funded by CP&L, this program assists with the purchase of funds or heating fuel. Eligible clients must have income at or below 110% of poverty level and be CP&L customers. top

Crisis Intervention Program
The CIP provides energy assistance to the households that are in heating and cooling related emergencies. A household may receive a maximum benefit of $200 per application. A household may receive benefits more than once a year (limited to $400 in a year). Application is made at the Department of Social Services. top

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do I apply for Medicare?

Call Social Security toll free at 1-800-772-1213 for questions in reference to Medicare.

2. When will Social Security be in Clinton?

A representative from the Social Security Administration will be at the Office of Aging, 371 Rowan Road, Clinton, NC the second Tuesday of every month from 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon.

3. After I apply, when will I get my Medicaid and/or check?

Receipt of benefits are dependent upon the program that you qualify for and could range from 45 to 90 days plus.

4. Can I get an approval letter?

A letter will be given after approval.

5. Can I get my rent paid?

As funds are available, the Work First Emergency Assistance program can assist eligible families temporarily with rent/mortgage payments.

6. Where do I go for Job Corp?

Call this toll free number, 1-800-662-7948, for the date for Sampson County as the schedule varies each month.

7. Who can I call for glasses, hearing aids, etc?

Contact our downtown office at (910) 592-4200 for information.

8. Can I get help with day care services?

You can apply for our day care services. To be eligible, the Adult Caretaker must be employed or attending school. Eligibility is also based on the family unit’s income.

9. Can I get help with transportation to medical appointments?

If a person receives full Medicaid, they are automatically eligible for transportation services, but transportation needs must be assessed by a DSS worker.

10. There are many frequently asked questions in Child Support. Most of these questions deal with why an absent parent has not been arrested or why an absent parent is not paying.

The law under Civil Process requires that we follow certain rules or steps in order to bring a case to court. These steps must be followed. In order to provide the courts with the evidence needed to prove a case of civil contempt, we must show evidence that proves beyond reasonable doubt that the absent parent either had the ability to pay and did not or that the absent parent had the ability to pay at the time of court and will not. An absent parent cannot be held in contempt as long as he/she has made or is making reasonable efforts to find employment and make his/her payments. Efforts to gather evidence in these type cases often require long and extensive investigations by the Child Support Agents.

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