Investigation of Eligibility for Welfare

Inaccuracies and misleading innuendoes appearing in the editorial “Needless Intimidation” (Oct. 30) require correction. The investigative staff referred to are specialized investigators on the Social Services Agency payroll who are solely responsible for the investigation of welfare eligibility discrepancies.

In 1988 there were 13,934 general relief applicants who immediately satisfied eligibility technicians without the need of secondary contact or verification by social services investigators. Of a total of 17,931 applicants, only 3,997 were referred to investigators for additional verification of the various eligibility requirements. Of these, 3,115 were denied assistance because of eligibility discrepancies or withdrew after refusing to submit to a secondary interview with a social services investigator. Only 882 (5%) of the total applicants needed to be interviewed further regarding incomplete or questionable application data.

The editorial cited a case in which a mother of two allegedly was refused help because her husband had an outstanding traffic warrant. The truth is the woman was never referred to an investigator and in fact received general relief aid without any intervention by the investigative unit. There is not one documented case of anyone legitimately entitled to relief who has been scared away by efforts to verify entitlement.

In 1988 the procedures employed saved the taxpayers $767,650 by denying aid to applicants unable to meet eligibility requirements. To echo Supervisor Gaddi H. Vasquez, we do not apologize for protecting the pot into which the taxpayers of this county are placing their dollars against those not entitled to dip into it.

MICHAEL R. CAPIZZI

Chief assistant district attorney

Orange County