4 JULY 1,2011
Smoke Signals
Tribal member catches Social
Security snafu, alerts the media
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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.
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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
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