Arkansas Department of Human Services v. Spears

Steele Hays, Justice.

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) sought reimbursement from Shirley Palmer Spears for the purported overpayment of food stamps issued to Dorletha Berry. The trial court dismissed DHS’s claim with prejudice and determined that Ms. Spears was not liable for the debt because she did not eat at least fifty percent (50 %) of her meals in Ms. Berry’s house. On appeal, DHS contends that the trial court’s determination that Ms. Spears was required to have fifty percent of her meals in the Berry household to be considered a household member was clearly erroneous. We…