Bello v. New York State Office of Temporary & Disability Assistance

Memorandum: Petitioner commenced this CPLR article 78 proceeding seeking to annul the determination following a fair hearing that required her to repay the emergency assistance funds paid to her electric and gas services providers. “[T]he role of a court reviewing an administrative determination is limited to ensuring that the determination arrived at following an adversarial hearing is supported by substantial evidence” (Matter of Jason B. v Novello, 12 NY3d 107, 114 [2009]; see CPLR 7803 [4]; Faber v Merrifield, 11 AD3d 1009 [2004]). “Substantial evidence means such relevant proof as a reasonable mind may accept as adequate to support a conclusion or ultimate fact” 1707 (Matter of Johnson v Town of Amherst, 74 AD3d 1896, 1897 [2010], lv denied 15 NY3d 712 [2010] [internal quotation marks omitted]; see 300 Gramatan Ave. Assoc. v State Div. of Human Rights, 45 NY2d 176, 180-181 [1978]). Here, respondent concluded that petitioner was required to repay the emergency assistance funds in question inasmuch as her gross monthly income exceeded the applicable public assistance standard of need (see 18 NYCRR 352.5 [e]; see generally New York State Off. of Temporary & Disability Assistance Administrative Directive 2002 ADM-2). Petitioner contends that the determination is not supported by substantial evidence because respondent erroneously characterized an “interest-free loan” as income in calculating her gross monthly income. We reject that contention. Respondent was faced with conflicting evidence whether certain funds received by petitioner were loans rather than income. “ ‘ [I]t is for the administrative tribunal, not the courts, to weigh conflicting evidence, assess the credibility of witnesses, and determine which [evidence] to accept and which to reject’ . . . This Court may not substitute its judgment for that of respondent” in rejecting petitioner’s position that the funds at issue constitute loans rather than income (Faber, 11 AD3d at 1010; see Matter of Padulo v Reed, 63 AD3d 1687, 1688 [2009], lv denied 13 NY3d 716 [2010]). Contrary to petitioner’s further contention, pursuant to respondent’s “Energy Manual,” it is not required to pay miscellaneous charges, including reconnect fees (see 18 NYCRR 352.5 [e]). Present — Smith, J.P, Fahey, Peradotto, Garni and Sconiers, JJ.