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Changes in child support: Child support is paid directly to parent. $100 is disregarded in calculation of monthly cash grant.
Employment activities: Participants are required to look for jobs or participate in employment-related activities targeted to rapid employment.
Family caps: The amount by which benefits are increased for children conceived while the parent is receiving assistance is reduced.
Financial disincentives/sanctions: Program members' benefits are reduced for non-compliance, and JOBS sanctions are strengthened.
Financial incentives: For recipients subject to the time limit, all earned income is disregarded in calculating the monthly cash grant as long as earnings are below federal poverty level. Recipients are permitted to accumulate "more assets" and to own "more valuable" cars.
Program operations: Changes in the welfare office environment and simplification of program rules and procedures are implemented. The development of partnerships with other organizations and program enforcement of sanctions are studied.
Social/Support services: Transitional health benefits are continued to 24 months for former recipients.
Time limits: Jobs First includes a 21 month time limit on cash assistance. Incapacitated recipients are exempt from the time limit. The state will grant renewable 6 month extensions to certain recipients (i.e. who have insufficient family income despite effort to find employment or those who face circumstances such as domestic abuse that prevent them from working) who reach the time limit and request continued assistance.
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