With support from the Omaha Community Foundation, Appleseed provides an Intake and Information telephone line to assist low-income community members with concerns related to our areas of expertise. While we do not usually provide legal representation to the people who contact us, we help give callers the information and resources they need to successfully resolve their issues.
We recently surveyed approximately 20 percent of the more than 300 callers who accessed our services during the first nine months of 2013. Our Intake and Information Line was given above-average ratings in all of the customer service dimensions measured, including professionalism, compassion and respect for callers, and timeliness of response. Two callers gave us permission to share their stories.
Pamela contacted Appleseed after the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) incorrectly closed her public assistance case. We provided legal information about the benefit program requirements and helped connect her to resources that could address her specific concerns more directly. Pamela advocated for herself to state representatives and DHHS quickly restored Pamela’s benefits without requiring her to complete a lengthy administrative hearing process.
As a result, Pamela was able to pay her rent and avoid an eviction.
Larry called our intake line about a custody case, alleged misconduct of Child Protective Services, and lack of access to affordable health care. We provided him with information and resources that he later told us he had been searching for on his own for over a year. Larry has since recommended the Intake and Information Line to other parents.
We look forward to helping more callers like Pamela and Larry. If you or someone you know needs help with a legal issue related to Appleseed’s work, you can reach our Intake and Information Line at 1-800-845-3746.