FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, May 22, 1995
Contact: Michael Kharfen (202) 401-9215
HHS APPROVES ARIZONA WELFARE DEMONSTRATION
HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today approved EMPOWER, a statewide
welfare demonstration project in Arizona. Arizona is the 29th state
to receive approval to implement a welfare reform demonstration under
the Clinton administration.
EMPOWER (Employing and Moving People Off Welfare and Encouraging Responsibility)
establishes a time limit of 24 months in any 60-month period for adult
benefits for Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Additional AFDC
benefits will be denied to families for children conceived while on
AFDC or children conceived within 12 months after leaving AFDC, if the
family reapplies for benefits.
To aid the transition from welfare to work, families can put aside
$100 a month, up to a maximum of $9,000, in Individual Development Accounts,
for training and education. In addition, transitional child care services
and Medicaid will be extended from 12 months as currently provided by
law to 24 months after leaving AFDC for work.
"Arizona's EMPOWER program will test work and responsibility requirements
designed to help recipients move quickly from welfare to work," said
Shalala. "With this waiver, the Clinton administration continues to
deliver on its promise of state flexibility in welfare reform."
Arizona will require AFDC recipients who are minor parents and pregnant
girls age 13 to 15 to attend school or participate in JOBS educational
activities. They will also be required to reside in the home of a responsible
adult.
An additional three-year pilot project will operate in the Casa Grande,
Eloy and Coolidge areas of Pinal County. The pilot will provide valuable
work experience by placing participants in subsidized jobs for nine
to 12 months without that time period counting toward the time limit.
These subsidies will be funded from AFDC grants and cashed-out food
stamp allotments. The state will also pass all child support collections
through to the family, without affecting AFDC eligibility.
"Arizona's demonstration seeks to ensure self-sufficiency through strict
requirements to achieve a timely transition to work," said Mary Jo Bane,
assistant secretary for children and families. "The project also reflects
the Clinton administration's goal of promoting parental responsibility
in welfare reform." The project will operate for seven years and include
a rigorous evaluation.
###
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials
are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
Back to Top