IN RE: Desirae WESCOTT (2009)

Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, New York.

IN RE: Desirae WESCOTT, Petitioner, v. David A. HANSELL, Commissioner, New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and Laura Cerow, Commissioner, Jefferson County Department of Social Services, Respondents.

Decided: November 13, 2009

PRESENT: SCUDDER, P.J., CENTRA, FAHEY, GREEN, AND GORSKI, JJ.

Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Inc., Watertown (Terrence J. Whelan of Counsel), for Petitioner. Andrew M. Cuomo, Attorney General, Albany (Kathleen M. Treasure of Counsel), for Respondent David A. Hansell, Commissioner, New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

Petitioner commenced this CPLR article 78 proceeding challenging the determination to suspend her public assistance benefits for 45 days based upon her failure to comply with the requirements of an alcohol and substance abuse rehabilitation program. We conclude that the determination is supported by substantial evidence (see Matter of Sorokina v. Hansell, 45 A.D.3d 1388, 846 N.Y.S.2d 592, appeal dismissed 10 N.Y.3d 806, 857 N.Y.S.2d 34, 886 N.E.2d 799; Matter of Heaney v. Wing, 249 A.D.2d 1004, 1005, 672 N.Y.S.2d 168; see generally 300 Gramatan Ave. Assoc. v. State Div. of Human Rights, 45 N.Y.2d 176, 180-181, 408 N.Y.S.2d 54, 379 N.E.2d 1183). The Jefferson County Department of Social Services, the local district (Local District) serving petitioner, determined that petitioner was unable to work by reason of her need for treatment for alcohol or substance abuse and referred her to a program in the Local District (see Social Services Law § 132[4][c] ). Petitioner did not complete that program, however, and instead decided to enroll in a program in another district. Contrary to the contention of petitioner, she did not show the requisite good cause for her failure to complete the designated program (see § 132[4][f] ). The Local District was authorized to select the program that would meet her rehabilitation needs (see § 132[4] [c] ), and petitioner could have established good cause for failing to complete the program if, inter alia, the Local District agreed with her that she was in need of a different program and the Local District determined that another program was appropriate (see 18 NYCRR 351.2[i][2][iv][a] ). Here, inasmuch as petitioner never informed the Local District that she was enrolling in a different program, it cannot be said that the Local District agreed with petitioner that she was in need of a different program or determined that the other program was appropriate.

It is hereby ORDERED that the determination is unanimously confirmed without costs and the petition is dismissed.

MEMORANDUM:

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