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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala has approved "Families Achieving Independence" in Montana, a statewide welfare demonstration project that prevents welfare dependence, promotes work and encourages parental responsibility. Montana is the 27th state to receive approval for a welfare waiver under the Clinton administration. "More than half of the states now
have the opportunity to do real welfare reform--moving people into work
and promoting parental responsibility," Secretary Shalala said.
"Montana's project provides positive work incentives, support for
two-parent families, Other AFDC applicants will enroll in
the AFDC Pathways component, and be required to sign a Family Investment
Agreement that limits benefits to 24 months for one-parent families
and 18 months for two-parent families, with exceptions. During this
time Adult recipients who have not left AFDC at the end of the time limit will be required to enroll in the Community Services program and perform 20 hours of community work per week. "Montana requires responsibility
on the part of the recipient to get job skills and be a better parent,
while the state provides the supports necessary to move people from
welfare to work," said Mary Jo Bane, assistant secretary for children
and families. "This To help integrate individuals into the
mainstream economy, all participants will be required to choose between
a reduced Medicaid benefit package and a partial premium payment towards
a private health insurance policy. Full Medicaid coverage will be provided
on an emergency basis and when certain services are needed for ### Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news. The page was last updated: October 22, 2003 |