Funding for the JOBS Program

Funding for the JOBS Program
Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance. Subcommittee on Social Security and Family Policy
Publisher:
Total Pages: 164
Release: 1992
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

Welfare Reform: Implementing DOT's Access to Jobs Program

Welfare Reform: Implementing DOT's Access to Jobs Program
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 24
Release: 1999
Genre:
ISBN:

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 dramatically altered the nation's system for providing assistance to the poor. Among the many changes, the act replaced the existing entitlement program for poor families (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) with fixed block grants to the states to provide Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). TANF imposes work requirements on adults and establishes time limits on the receipt of federal assistance. However, for welfare recipients trying to move from welfare to work, a lack of transportation to the places of employment can pose significant barriers. Existing public transportation systems cannot always transport low-income people from their homes to the entry-level jobs they would likely fill. Many of these jobs are located in suburbs beyond the reach of public transportation, or they require shift work in the evenings or on weekends when public transportation is unavailable or limited.

Implementation of the JOBS Program

Implementation of the JOBS Program
Author: United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Finance. Subcommittee on Social Security and Family Policy
Publisher:
Total Pages: 88
Release: 1991
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

This report describes a congressional hearing on implementation of the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) Training Program enacted by the Family Support Act of 1988. Focus is on the progress being made. Testimony includes statements and prepared statements from U.S. senators, and individuals representing the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services; American Public Welfare Association; Alabama Department of Human Resources; Employment Programs Branch, California Department of Social Services; Bureau of Income Maintenance, Maine Department of Human Services; Baltimore (Maryland) Office of Employment Development; Baltimore City Social Services Department; and Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation. A statement of the Child Care Action Campaign is appended. (YLB)

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant
Author: Gene Falk
Publisher:
Total Pages: 90
Release: 2008
Genre: Political Science
ISBN:

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant provides federal grants to states for a wide range of benefits, services, and activities. It is best known for helping states pay for cash welfare for needy families with children, but it funds a wide array of additional activities. TANF was created in the 1996 welfare reform law (P.L. 104-193). TANF funding and program authority were extended through FY2010 by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA, P.L. 109-171). TANF provides a basic block grant of $16.5 billion to the 50 states and District of Columbia, and $0.1 billion to U.S. territories. Additionally, 17 states qualify for supplemental grants that total $319 million. TANF also requires states to contribute from their own funds at least $10.4 billion for benefits and services to needy families with children -- this is known as the maintenance-of-effort (MOE) requirement. States may use TANF and MOE funds in any manner "reasonably calculated" to achieve TANF's statutory purpose. This purpose is to increase state flexibility to achieve four goals: (1) provide assistance to needy families with children so that they can live in their own homes or the homes of relatives; (2) end dependence of needy parents on government benefits through work, job preparation, and marriage; (3) reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and (4) promote the formation and maintenance of two-parent families. Though TANF is a block grant, there are some strings attached to states' use of funds, particularly for families receiving "assistance" (essentially cash welfare). States must meet TANF work participation standards or be penalised by a reduction in their block grant. The law sets standards stipulating that at least 50% of all families and 90% of two-parent families must be participating, but these statutory standards are reduced for declines in the cash welfare caseload. (Some families are excluded from the participation rate calculation.) Activities creditable toward meeting these standards are focused on work or are intended to rapidly attach welfare recipients to the workforce; education and training is limited. Federal TANF funds may not be used for a family with an adult that has received assistance for 60 months. This is the five-year time limit on welfare receipt. However, up to 20% of the caseload may be extended beyond the five years for reason of "hardship", with hardship defined by the states. Additionally, states may use funds that they must spend to meet the TANF MOE to aid families beyond five years. TANF work participation rules and time limits do not apply to families receiving benefits and services not considered "assistance". Child care, transportation aid, state earned income tax credits for working families, activities to reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies, activities to promote marriage and two-parent families, and activities to help families that have experienced or are "at risk" of child abuse and neglect are examples of such "nonassistance".

Understanding SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

Understanding SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
Author:
Publisher: DIANE Publishing
Total Pages: 65
Release: 1998-03
Genre: Social security
ISBN: 078814555X

This publication informs advocates & others in interested agencies & organizations about supplemental security income (SSI) eligibility requirements & processes. It will assist you in helping people apply for, establish eligibility for, & continue to receive SSI benefits for as long as they remain eligible. This publication can also be used as a training manual & as a reference tool. Discusses those who are blind or disabled, living arrangements, overpayments, the appeals process, application process, eligibility requirements, SSI resources, documents you will need when you apply, work incentives, & much more.