All State Commissioners

The purpose of this letter, and the enclosed question/answer packet, is to provide guidance on work supplementation or support programs provided for by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 (P.L.104-193) which amended Section 16 (b) of the Food Stamp Act.

P.L. 104-193 gives States the option to implement work supplementation or support programs that allow public assistance benefits, along with Food Stamp Program (FSP) benefits, to be provided to an employer as a wage subsidy to be used for hiring and employing public assistance recipients. We want to work with States to develop work supplementation or support programs that meet the goal of promoting self-sufficiency by providing public assistance recipients with work experience to help them move into non-subsidized jobs at a reasonable cost.

State agencies that wish to select this option should submit a proposed State Plan amendment describing their work supplementation or support program to the ____________ Regional Office.

The proposed amendments will be reviewed for completeness. Guidance and technical assistance will be provided as necessary.

Enclosed is a question/answer packet which explains the work supplementation or support program in greater detail. Proposed regulations are in the process of being drafted and those regulations will be able to provide further clarification of the Department's intent. When the regulations are finalized, State agencies that have implemented work supplementation or support programs under PRWORA will have to review their programs to make sure they are in compliance with the final regulations. If you need further guidance, please contact John Knaus, Acting Chief, Program Design Branch, or Cynthia Dubois of his staff at (703) 305-2519.

Sincerely,
Regional Administrator

Enclosure

Back to the Top