HACKENSACK. N.J. — Offers of support have been pouring in from around the nation for a formerly homeless New Jersey man whose good deed proved costly.
James Brady of Hackensack was notified recently that his government benefits were being suspended after he failed to report as income the $850 he had found on a sidewalk and turned over to police.
Brady, who was homeless when he found the money on a sidewalk in April, turned the cash over to police. He was allowed to keep it six months later after no one claimed it.
But the Hackensack Human Services Department denied him General Assistance and Medicaid benefits through Dec. 31 because he failed to report the cash as new income. The director of human services said the agency was just following the rules.
“Here’s a fellow who behaved admirably,” said Tom Toronto, head of the local United Way chapter, “who clearly could have used the money himself, but he showed a tremendous amount of pride and honesty.”
