Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (July 1, 2011)
4 JULY 1,2011 Smoke Signals Tribal member catches Social Security snafu, alerts the media lb (sDaalblbnDD ..;-. ' i '-- J I- -. '" Photos by Michelle Alalmo Tribal descendant Hannah McCallister reacts to tha ball not going vary far after hitting K as she and other golf camp participants practice aiming during Youth Education's two-day Youth Golf Clinic on the Tribal campus on Tuesday, June 1 4. The clinic also was held on Monday, June 1 3. .- ':-- J A. wsc-; it. r 1 1 i Tribal member Hattie Mercier hits a ball at a target that represents a hole as she practices aiming techniques during Youth Education's two day Youth Golf Clinic on the Tribal campus on Tuesday, June 1 4. By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor Tribal member Veronica Gaston did the responsible thing recently after she received a surprise from the Social Security Administra tion. Not only did Gaston receive a statement that she did not request, she received another person's state ment that included the person's benefit amount and Social Security number. Gaston, who lives in McMinnville and receives disability benefits from the government, said the mistake alarmed her, considering the rash of identity thefts occur ring around the country that has already affected her. Gaston said she had not request ed a statement from the agency. But an envelope postmarked June 15 from the administration's tele service center in Salinas, Calif., contained two pages of "information you requested" with an account of her monthly benefits. The third page, however, con tained a statement addressed to Dolores Gonzalez on behalf of Jahn ait N. Verdin of Moreno Valley, Calif. Both statements contained the stamped signature of Martha N. Tatum, listed as an office man ager. "If it gets to the wrong person, you can kiss your identity goodbye," Gaston said about the mix-up. "I have their address, I have who the information is for and, more seri ous, I have their Social Security number." Gaston said she called the ad ministration, but no one cared to hear about the mistake. "When Veronica Gaston I contacted So cial Security the first time, I got someone in Cal ifornia and they threatened to call the cops on me," she said. Gonzalez, reached by Ore- gonian reporter Brent Hunsberger, said, "That's scary. I have no idea how that got to Oregon. That's how identity theft happens." Gonzalez told The Oregonian that she had asked for a benefits statement from 2005 to show the Internal Revenue Service that Verdin, her hearing-impaired daughter, had not received benefits until 2007. Mike Weber, a spokesman with the Social Security Administra tion in Seattle, said the agency is investigating but said the mistake is likely an isolated incident. "We definitely make safeguard ing PII (Personally Indentifying Information) a priority," he said. "We definitely want to take correc tive action to make sure people feel confident that we are safeguarding their information." Gaston, who informed The Orego nian about the incident, destroyed the original copy of Gonzalez' state ment with the assistance of the McMinnville Police Department. "I got to speak with Gonzalez and she said she was happy her information was sent to someone like me," Gaston said. H Includes information from The Oregonian and KGW.com. Elders Honor Day set for Friday, July 8 Elders Honor Day will be held Friday, July 8, at Spirit Mountain Ca sino. The day will start at 8:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast and include a 10 a.m. opening ceremony, noon luncheon, entertainment at 1 p.m. and bingo at 3 p.m. The flags will be retired at 4 p.m. On Saturday, July 9, a breakfast will be held at the Elders' Activity Center, 48940 Blacktail Drive, between 8 and 10 a.m. This year's Elders' Honor Day theme is "Honoring Native Veterans." For more information, call 503-879-2233. Eugene office holding Summer Day Camp The Eugene Gathering Place will be having a six-week Summer Culture Family Day Camp from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, July 12 through Aug. 18. This free day camp will focus on culture and health and wellness. Children ages 5 to 9 will require a chaperone and children 10 and older will not. There is a sign-up sheet at the Eugene site, 711 Country Club Road. For more information or to reserve a spot, call Eugene Office Coordinator Perri McDaniel at 541-484-7085. Elder's bingo changes days Bingo at the Elders' Activity Center is held on the second and fourth Fridays of the month. A potluck dinner starts at 6 p.m. and bingo starts at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Elder Activity Assistant Daniel Ham at 503-879-2233. a Chinuk Wawa classes offered The Tribal Cultural Education Department offers adult Chinuk Wawa language classes from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday in Room 207 of the Tribal Education Building. Language classes can be taken for college credit or for fun. For more information, contact Chinuk Wawa teacher Kathy Cole at 503-879-2249 or 503-437-4599. H EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 201 1 Changes to Social Services Emergency Assistance and Medical Gas Voucher Program For all income criteria programs, wage verification for past 60 days (wage stubs) will need to be submitted. If client has not worked for a period of time, client will need to submit a printout from their State Employment Office or printout from Oregon Self Sufficiency Office as verification of income. Rentaldeposit or utility assistance may be uti lized only one time in a 24-month rolling calendar period and is not to exceed the maximum contribution of $1,000 per household within any 24-month rolling calendar period. Medical Gas Vouchers Social Services will not provide gas vouchers for medical appoint ments, counseling or drug & alcohol treatment. The only exception to this is for scheduled treatment plans, (i.e.: radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, etc.) and has caused hardship on the family, medical gas vouchers can be distributed to meet the need of the circumstances. A copy of all scheduled treatment plans must be received before client is eligible to receive this service. Assistance will end on the date of the last treatment appointment. For a complete copy of policy or questions, please contact Tammy C. Garrison at 503-879-2077. a I
