FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, Aug. 14, 1995
Contact: Michael Kharfen (202) 401-9215
HHS APPROVES WISCONSIN WELFARE WAIVER
HHS Deputy Secretary Walter B. Broadnax today approved "Pay for
Performance," a statewide welfare demonstration project for Wisconsin.
This is the third waiver demonstration for Wisconsin approved under
the Clinton administration.
"The Clinton administration is proceeding with welfare reform with
innovative state demonstrations," said Deputy Secretary Broadnax.
"Wisconsin is building on current projects to move people quickly
from welfare to work."
Under the project, adult Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)
applicants must meet with a financial planning specialist to explore
alternatives to welfare. Failure to do so without good cause will result
in denial of eligibility for AFDC benefits for all members of the family.
Individuals who still want to apply for AFDC after meeting with the
financial planning specialist will be required to complete 60 hours
of Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) activities prior
to receiving AFDC. At least 30 of the 60 hours must include contact
with employers. Not completing this requirement without good cause will
result in denial of AFDC benefits for all members of the family.
Once receiving assistance, recipients
will be required to participate in JOBS for up to 40 hours per week.
For each hour of non-participation, the AFDC grant will be reduced by
the federal minimum wage. If the AFDC grant is fully exhausted, the
remaining sanction will be taken against the Food Stamp allotment. If
hours of participation fall below 25 percent of assigned hours without
good cause, no AFDC grant will be awarded and the Food Stamp amount
will be $10.
"Wisconsin's newest demonstration will test new strategies to end
welfare as we know it," said Mary Jo Bane, assistant secretary
for children and families. "I look forward to the results."
Wisconsin originally submitted two waiver requests that the state and
HHS agreed to combine into one waiver. The project will operate for
five years and include a rigorous evaluation.
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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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