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Date: Wednesday, March 13, 1996 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Michael Kharfen (202) 401-9215
HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today announced approval of "Ohio First," a statewide welfare demonstration project for Ohio. This is the third waiver demonstration for Ohio approved by the Clinton administration.
"Ohio First strongly reflects the President's welfare reform principles of moving people quickly into work and promoting parental responsibility," said Secretary Shalala. "With a strong track record of two ongoing demonstrations, Ohio embarks on another promising effort to end welfare as we know it."
Ohio First will limit Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) eligibility to 36 months in any 60-month period, with good cause exceptions. As a condition of eligibility for the family, applicants must look for employment while their application is being processed.
To further encourage work, the first $250 of earned income and one-half of income over $250 will be disregarded each month when calculating benefits. To encourage two-parent families to move from welfare to work, mothers or fathers will be able to work more than 100 hours a month and retain eligibility.
All recipients will be required to develop a Self Sufficiency Contract with the state as a condition of eligibility. Those without a high school diploma must enroll in an education program,
and there are progressive sanctions for failure to cooperate with employment and child support enforcement activities. Pregnant women will be required to get prenatal care and cooperate with substance abuse treatment if necessary.
"Today the Clinton administration continues its support of states' innovative efforts to reform their own welfare systems," said Mary Jo Bane, assistant secretary for children and families. "Ohio's new demonstration builds on the state's ongoing projects to move people from welfare to work."
Ohio First will operate for five years and include a rigorous evaluation.