NORWICH – Anytime the state loses a lawsuit, local government officials need to worry. Chenango County Social Services Commissioner Bette Osborne finds herself in that situation following a recent ruling in Monroe County.

The court judge in the case directed local social services departments to return financial assistance that was illegally withheld when former Governor George Pataki implemented a policy change in 2004. The policy decreased the amount of supplementary security income that was provided to low income disabled families.

The New York Office of Temporary Assistance estimates that 27,000 households in the state saw their assistance drop adversely at approximately $4,000 per case. In Chenango County, between 130 to 150 cases will have to be reviewed, and possibly refunded retroactive to 2004.

The number includes about 45 active cases. DSS is directed to send out a mass mailing in order locate inactive families.

Because of the lapse of time, however, Osborne said she didn’t expect most of the older cases to respond. As a result, she estimates a broad range in the potential local payback of anywhere from $160,000 to $500,000.