Opinion
May 30, 1995
Adjudged that the determination is confirmed and the proceeding is dismissed on the merits, without costs or disbursements.
The petitioner seeks to compel the respondent Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Social Services to pay seven years of storage fees totalling approximately $14,000 that the petitioner incurred after she was evicted from her apartment. However, the petitioner failed to present sufficient evidence showing that the placement of her belongings in storage was authorized. Moreover, 18 NYCRR 352.6 (f), upon which the petitioner relies, applies to short-term emergencies. It was "never intended to subsidize indefinite storage" (Matter of Marquart v Perales, 142 A.D.2d 678, 679). One month after her eviction, the petitioner relocated to furnished rooms where she resided for the next seven years. Thus, her emergency need for storage facilities had long passed (see, Orenstein v Perales, 180 A.D.2d 443). Accordingly, the finding of the respondent Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Social Services that the petitioner is not entitled to payment for the storage of her personal belongings is supported by substantial evidence (see, 300 Gramatan Ave. Assocs. v State Div. of Human Rights, 45 N.Y.2d 176; Matter of Pell v Board of Educ., 34 N.Y.2d 222). Pizzuto, J.P., Joy, Friedmann and Goldstein, JJ., concur.