Increase asked to cover travel of needy

Increase asked to cover travel of needy

Higher gas costs are a major reason for a greater need for transportation.

WARREN — The increased cost of gasoline is having a severe impact on those on public assistance in Trumbull County.

County commissioners are being asked to allow the county’s Job and Family Services department to increase the amount of money it spends on transportation by $400,000.

During the commissioners’ Tuesday work session, the agency asked that transportation providers’ contracts be increased by $395,000.

The increases will be paid by federal funds and not out of the county’s general fund.

Tom Mahoney, agency director, said the increase in gasoline costs and the anticipated further increases are a major reason for a greater need for transportation.

The modification in the contracts are:

UDeluxe Transportation LLC of Niles, $50,000 increase, up from $150,000. Pays for nonemergency transportation for those on Medicaid, such as doctor’s visits.

UDeluxe Transportation, $20,000 increase up from $40,000 to provide rides for pregnant clients on Medicaid.

UDeluxe Transportation, $75,000 increase to $275,000 for temporary assistance for needy families.

UMiller’s USA Taxi and Wheelchair Transport Co. of Warren, an additional $100,000 to $500,000 for nonemergency transportation for outpatient visits for those on Medicare.

UMiller’s, an additional $150,000 to $550,000 for those needing temporary assistance driving to job sites.

Mahoney said the county serves about 33,000 “assistance groups” that are similar to families — those who eat together.

He explained that the contracts need to be modified because of increases in demand for public assistance because of the general downturn in the economy.

Mahoney said that those on public assistance but are working can’t afford current gasoline costs and anticipate the price per gallon will increase to $3.50 and $4 this spring and summer.

The agency has a gas card program in which the working poor are given $200 annually for gasoline. This will be increased to $600 a year, the director said.