FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thursday, July 25, 1996
Contact: Michael Kharfen (202) 401-9215
HHS APPROVES AMENDMENTS TO UTAH WELFARE DEMONSTRATION
HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today announced approval of
amendments to Utah's Single Parent Employment Demonstration (SPED)
welfare reform project. This is the second waiver application for
Utah and 68th state welfare reform demonstration approved under the
Clinton Administration.
"By approving Utah's new amendments today, the Clinton
Administration carries on its commitment to state flexibility," said
Secretary Shalala.
Under the amendments, children must attend school regularly,
and preschool children must receive immunizations, unless there are
religious objections.
To simplify the definition of household, all related persons in
the household and all their incomes will be included in the case
unit.
To help more families move off welfare, heads of households who
have been barred from Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
payments because of fraudulent activity will be eligible to receive
help in finding and keeping employment if their children are still
receiving AFDC payments.
Finally, income rules will be simplified to require families to
report only monthly income fluctuations that exceed $100, an
increase from $25 under current rules.
"Utah continues to build on its promising welfare reform
program by promoting parental responsibility and simplifying rules
to help Utah families achieve self-sufficiency," said Mary Jo Bane,
assistant secretary for children and families.
The demonstration is authorized until Dec. 31, 2000.
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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are
available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
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