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Program Components, Policies, and Activities Evaluated
Employment activities
- Job skills training
- Job readiness activities
- Job search
- Job placement
- Job development
Educational activities
- Adult Basic Education (ABE) courses
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- GED courses
- High school completion
Financial incentives
- Earnings disregards
- Elimination of 100 hour rule
- Excluding the value of one vehicle
- Coverage for work-related expenses
- Increased asset limit
- Utility allowance
- Shelter allowance
- Financial Incentives - misc.
Financial disincentives/Sanctions
- Reduced benefits for non-compliance
- Strengthened JOBS sanctions
Program requirements
- Child support order
- Broadened JOBS participation requirement
Child support
- Support paid directly to parent
- Increased efficiency in collection
Food stamps
- Cash out
- Work requirements
Social/Support services
- Child care
- Transitional health benefits
- Case management
Administration/Implementation
- Changes in welfare office environment/culture
- Simplification of program rules and procedures
- Administration/Implementation - misc.
| Variation in program components across sites? |
No
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| Notes on program components |
Changes in child support: Recipients with children having non-legal fathers or parents living elsewhere must cooperate with efforts to establish paternity, locate absent parents, and obtain court-ordered support payments. Expanded payment requirement to appropriate food stamp only households.
Employment activities: All able-bodied adults must participate in employment and training programs. Exemptions include recipients who are: under age 16 or over age 59; pregnant women in last two trimesters; single parents with child(ren) under age 3. Participation is mandatory for all parents under age 20 without a high school degree or GED.
Educational activities: Adult basic education, GED training or high school offered. Also English as a Second Language training intended to raise participants general education level.
Financial disincentives/sanctions: Loss of portion of benefit for non-compliant household member not complying with E&T. After first incident, individuals who eventually comply may still have penalty applied for specified period.
Financial incentives: Countable income includes 40% standard business expenses deduction if self-employed. 20% of gross monthly earnings is disregarded, as are dependent care costs of standard $120 per month up to AFDC maximum. Standard deduction adjusted annually by AFDC, includes utility allowance for heating and cooling and monthly shelter costs in excess of 50% of countable income. Increased asset limits to $2000 or $3000 if household contains elderly member. Home and household goods and value of one vehicle per licensed driver are excluded.
Food stamps: Food stamps benefits and AFDC benefits are consolidated into one check.
Program operations: Planning, development, and operation of the ASSETS program will be documented.
Program requirements: Broadened JOBS participation requirement.
Social/Support services: Un-reimbursed medical expenses are given $15 standard deduction plus expenses in excess of $50 per month. Case managers administer benefits, determine Medicaid eligibility, and provide access to Education and Training Services.
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