FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, September 7, 1993
Contact: David Siegel (202) 401-9215
Wyoming Welfare Demonstration
HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala has approved a major welfare
demonstration submitted by the state of Wyoming that will encourage
recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children to enroll in
school, undertake a training program or enter the workforce.
"Wyoming's demonstration has a number of elements which are in
keeping with President Clinton's commitment to promoting
independence and responsibility for families who receive welfare
benefits. We look forward to working with the state to see that the
demonstration is implemented in an effective manner," Secretary
Shalala said.
Under the demonstration, Wyoming's AFDC program will be
modified in four major areas:
- Working AFDC families will be allowed to accumulate $2,500
in assets. The current asset ceiling of $1,000 per family will be
increased in those cases where an AFDC parent is employed.
- Unemployed, non-custodial parents of AFDC children who are
not paying child support and who have been ordered into Wyoming's
JOBS program by the courts, will be allowed to receive services
under Wyoming's welfare-to-work (JOBS) program.
- AFDC minor children who refuse to stay in school or accept
suitable employment could have their benefits reduced by $40 a
month. Similarly, adult AFDC recipients who are deemed eligible to
work or perform community service, but who refuse to do so, could
face a reduction in benefits of up to $100 per month.
- AFDC benefits for adults who have completed a post-secondary
educational program while on welfare, or who have been convicted of
program fraud, will be significantly restricted.
The Wyoming demonstration program becomes effective immediately
and will operate for a period of five years. Some of the elements
of the program will be administered in selected counties; others
will apply statewide. The plan will include a rigorous evaluation
utilizing random assignment to control and experimental groups.
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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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