DEAP Trouble
On September 4, the Disability Evaluation Advocacy Program stopped taking new cases, almost one month after Mayor Gavin Newsom cut DEAP—one of four homeless-serving programs—from the City budget. The program, which is run by the Department of Public Health (DPH), provided advocacy services for disabled people applying for SSI benefits. DEAP said they will finish their existing caseload before they disband. With a staff of four case managers, two psychologists, and a psychiatrist, DEAP helped bring the City $5 in Federal and state funds for every $1 spent. Why would the City cut a money-saving, revenue-generating service in the name of balancing the budget? Ostensibly, the Human Services Agency will handle cases not already served by the Homeless Advocacy Project and Positive Resource Center through the Disability Evaluation Consulting Unit (DECU). San Francisco has over 5,000 disabled people who are potentially eligible for the SSI maximum of $872 per month—and, by extension, Medi-Cal benefits afforded to SSI recipients, according to the City’s 10-Year Plan to Abolish Chronic Homelessness. For homeless people with physical and/or psychiatric disabilities, accessing such benefits is an arduous task. Less than 5% succeed in applying without somebody to help with the paperwork.
They must prove that they are unable to earn $830 per month due to a severe and chronic medical condition. They must also verify they have less than $2,000 in assets, prove they’re citizens or documented immigrants, and show no outstanding felony warrants or parole/probation violations on their record.
But if they enlist an advocate’s services like DEAP provided, they can get examined by medical staff. The advocate would then contact healthcare providers for the required documents and send them to the Social Security Administration. The turnaround ranges from three to 12 months.
A DPH pilot project from 2003-2005 proved such programs successful. Benefits were awarded to 86% of applicants—almost all of them on the first try and with retroactive benefits. As a result, 93% received Medi-Cal, affording them the opportunity for routine medical care.
At the cost of $643,234, advocacy programs raked in over $3 million in Federal and state monies—a five-to-one return on investment.
The monetary benefits of SSI are greater than those of county programs. But the City acknowledges that $800 per month can scarcely cover rent for San Francisco’s SROs—it definitely falls short of the $1,084-fair market rate for a studio apartment.
The Mayor’s Office said cuts to DEAP represents $160,000 out of $4.8 million in total general fund savings. But the 10-Year Council estimates just moving 1,000 people from general assistance to SSI could save $5.4 million in cash benefits.
T.J.