Minnehaha / Lincoln County Human Services
LIEN RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES
I. ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS
A. Eligibility for county welfare assistance is based on several factors including:
1. Income, including current, past and/or future;
2. Value of personal and real property and other assets;
3. Number of household members;
4. Proof of Minnehaha or Lincoln County residency;
5. Proof of identification;
B. After you have completed an application for county welfare assistance, you will
receive written notice of eligibility within five business days.
II. APPLICANT’S RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Each applicant has the responsibility to accurately report all facts necessary to
the determination of eligibility, all sources of income, any other assistance
received, the number of household members, all savings and checking accounts,
the value of any personal or real property and other assets.
B. Every client must report all changes in facts listed in II above.
C. Applicants must seek out other sources of assistance within one week of applying
for County assistance.
III. CLIENT’S RIGHTS
A. If you are not satisfied by the decision made by Minnehaha or Lincoln County
Human Services, you have the right to a review by the County Director or his
designee.
B. If you are dissatisfied by the decision made by the County Human Services
Director or designee, you may petition directly to the County Commission by filing
a notice at the County Auditor’s office within 10 business days of the issuance of
the Notice of Adverse Action from the County Director or his designee.
IV. CASEWORKER’S RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Caseworkers have the responsibility to investigate and verify all statements made
at the time of application and thereafter. The investigation may occur at the time
of application, while receiving assistance, or after assistance has been received.
B. Caseworkers must explain other possible resources to the applicant.
C. Caseworkers only supplement other forms of assistance in extreme emergencies
and only when all other resources have been exhausted.
V. LIEN/BILL
A. When Minnehaha or Lincoln County Human Services assistance has been
provided to a person, the County has a claim against that person for the value of
such assistance. That bill may be enforced as a lien against any property which
the recipient and the recipient’s spouse may have at that time or later acquire.
This lien remains in effect until paid in full or compromised with the County
Commission. This bill follows the person and property owned anywhere.
B. Minnehaha County liens may be paid off in full or in partial payments either at the
Minnehaha County Auditor’s Office in the Minnehaha County Admin Building: 415
N. Dakota Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Lincoln County liens may be paid off
in full or in partial payments at the Lincoln County Auditor’s Office: 104 N Main
Ave. Ste. 110, Canton, SD 57013. A receipt for the amount paid will be issued to
the person upon request.
C. The County may send your bill/lien to a collection agency if it is not paid.
Vl. WORK RELIEF
In all cases where assistance is requested, the applicant may be required to perform
labor or other services of a public nature equal to the amount of aid granted by the
Minnehaha or Lincoln County Human Services Office.
V11. REASONS FOR DISQUALIFICATION
A. Any person may be denied or terminated from assistance who, by means of an
intentionally false statement, misrepresentation, impersonation, or other willfully
fraudulent act or device, obtains or attempts to obtain any assistance otherwise
merited.
B. Failure of the applicant to responsibly perform the duties set forth in V1 above
may be grounds for denial or termination of assistance.
I have read the rights and responsibilities that are mine under the County Human Services
Program. Questions that I have concerning these rights and responsibilities have been fully explained to me. I understand and accept my rights and responsibilities under this program as set forth in state law and referenced above.