EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - Some residents in East Palestine that were forced to leave their homes are wondering how many more ways they will be inconvenienced as they try to move on with their lives.

 

The cause for concern began after one resident called the state to see if she is eligible to sign up for benefits and was informed she may not be because of reimbursements she received from Norfolk Southern.

 

Jami Wallace became worried not just for herself and her daughter and husband, but for others who accepted reimbursements for rent and food from Norfolk Southern after they were forced from their homes due to a toxic train derailment.

 

She moved out of a hotel and into an Airbnb where her daughter has room to play and lots of toys including a doll house to play inside.

 

Unable to work Wallace was shocked when she called to sign up for state assistance and was told she may not be eligible since reimbursements including hotel or Airbnb stays are considered income and that could put her over the limit for food assistance or any assistance. 

 

"Does that mean its income and we're going to be taxed on it? And also it can affect your Medicaid. So you know we're sick, you going to take our health care away from us. You know we're evacuated people that don't have jobs and still need to eat, and now your going to take away our food assistance? It's almost adding insult to injury. 

 

She made three calls on Monday and recorded two phone calls telling WFMJ News she regrets she didn't record the first call when she reached the Columbiana County ODJFS office.  She adds all three JFS workers told her it was a State directive.

 

Wallace tells 21 News she was told she had to count her reimbursements for lodging from the railroad. I had to count that towards my income which could potentially put me over the income level for any type of assistance.

 

"The consistent message was there was a directive from the state that this reimbursement must be counted as income. I tried saying this is not income at all. The railroad will not pay Airbnb so I am just the middleman of Airbnb. Norfolk Southern gives me a check. I cut a check for the Airbnb," Wallace emphasized.

 

"She told me they are mandated that they count your reimbursement as income. I said that doesn't make sense. That doesn't go into my pocket that's directly doing to the Airbnb for lodging. She told me well it's directive," Wallace added.

 

In one of the recordings, an ODJFS worker explains her husband works for the railroad and when he goes out of town his hotel stay is taxed and this is similar. The recording is on her Facebook site. 

 

In the second recording, the ODJFS worker reiterated the same theme on how reimbursements count as income.

 

21 News contacted the administrator of the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services.

 

After watching the videos the administrator clarified stating if "assistance"  is from a 3rd party, it is counted as income.

 

However, Administrator Megan Cowden went on to explain the difference. 

 

"If it is a reimbursement that would "not" count as income unless the reimbursement is for more than the number of funds put out. This could make some ineligible to receive SNAP benefits if they receive third-party assistance," Meghan Cowden said.

 

The administrator explained her department of ODJFS works with departments from 9 other counties and the other counties where workers answer phone calls to assist may not know the specifics for East Palestine residents.

 

Administrator Cowden suggested people from East Palestine who live there now or have moved to other communities should call the direct line for the Columbiana County ODJFS for the best guidance. 

 

That number is 330-424-1472. 

 

Wallace hopes the administrator will send an email out to clarify this so others offices and all workers at the Columbiana ODJFS are educated on the correct information regarding reimbursements for hotels or places to stay such as an Airbnb.

 

She also wants to know if the convenience fee some people accepted from Norfolk Southern will be classified as income or as reimbursement. People had to spend gas on leaving the area, some had to put their dogs in lodging, while others lost refrigerators and freezers full of food they may no longer have receipts for those groceries they had to toss out.  In addition, they have had to wash clothes, blankets, comforters, clean homes, and more due to the derailment adding additional water and drying costs. Wallace believes many people won't have receipts for those things.

 

Wallace tagged Governor Mike DeWine in her post and wants to know if the state wants people forced from their homes to go hungry or without medical care after breathing in toxic chemicals. 

 

We reached out to Governor Mike DeWine's office for a comment, around 30 minutes prior to the time the ODJFS offices close doors, and expect to hear back from the governor's office tomorrow about the policy put in place, who made that decision, how it is being interpreted, and if this is the best policy to help people already struggling due to the toxic train derailment.