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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Advocates are pressing incoming Gov. Gary Herbert to delay implementation of cuts to the state's General Assistance program for disabled, needy Utahns.
Jerry Costley of the Disabled Rights Action Committee says the sweeping changes are unnecessarily broad and could leave people homeless or dead.
Herbert's staff says it would study the issue.
The program helps cover housing and medication expenses for what advocates call Utah's most vulnerable population.
Lawmakers cut the General Assistance budget by $3 million during the past year, forcing the program that currently serves about 1,500 disabled Utahns to shrink.
Under the action, about 500 people will lose their monthly $261 checks beginning today. About 300 more will lose the financial help in the next six months.
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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
