Welfare Warriors

Summer 2008

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  Summer 2008

UMOS W2 Lawlessly Endangers Family

Rebecca Welk called Welfare Warriors’ MOMS line at 342-6662. She applied for W2 cash assistance at Milwaukee’s UMOS in May.  Rebecca is disabled waiting for SSI. A UMOS worker agreed to send someone to Welk’s home to take the application. Ten minutes before the appointment, Melvin Thomas, UMOS employee called Welk. 

            Thomas told Welk she was not eligible for W2. He said she had to work or go to school to get a check. She asked about the W2-T for moms who can not work.  He stated that W2-T no longer existed! (Not true)

            Then Thomas said he would send a form to Welk so she could “voluntarily decline” W2. He sent the form but she didn’t sign it.

            Welk is now losing her home.  She returned in July to UMOS. Her worker, Maria Prado said that Thomas wrote in her file that she “voluntarily declined W2.” For the next month Prado failed to provide Welk with cash. And she refused to take her application for Emergency Assistance.  Why the delay and denial?

            Prado repeatedly claimed she could not process Welk’s case “because DHS did not update her records.” (DHS has no connection to UMOS, a private agency. They handle Welk’s foodstamp case.) Thomas’ and Prado’s shameful behavior is criminal, but condoned by UMOS.

 Call UMOS Director Lupe Martinez to complain: 414-389-6002

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