Increase the Welfare Grant to Help Families and Individuals Who Are Unable to Work
The Welfare Reform Act of 1997 overhauled New York�s public assistance system. The revised system includes strict work requirements, with exemptions only for the disabled and those caring for a child younger than three months.
Seven hundred thousand children and 500,000 poor adults in New York receive public assistance. For a typical family of three living in New York City, the monthly welfare grant is only $577-only 52% of the federal poverty level. With food stamps ($263), the combined $840 income comes only to 76% of poverty. After rent, a mother will have at most $6 to spend per person a day, in cash and food stamps combined, for food, clothing, utilities, personal care, school supplies, laundry, recreation, household supplies, transportation and any other needs. Most have even less than $6 a day because their rent exceeds the maximum shelter allowance.
The state has not raised the basic welfare allowance since 1990 despite an increase in the cost of living over 25% since 1990. The state has not raised the shelter allowance since 1988 despite the 40% increase in the cost of living which has occurred since then. The more than 110,000 welfare participants paying rents in excess of 150% are at risk of homelessness.
The new welfare system emphasizes self-sufficiency. But there are far too few jobs and a lack of transportation remains a barrier for many individuals seeking employment.
Hunger Action Network Recommendations:
The budget should include a cost of living adjustment for welfare benefits.
$30 million in funding is needed for transportation services for welfare participants seeking work.
Due to declining caseloads, federal welfare provided New York with a windfall of more than $700 million in 1997-98 and an estimated $500 million in 1998-99. The entire windfall should be reinvested in the welfare system to expand job creation, education, and job training, while strengthening the state�s safety net.
Sufficient funding should be allocated to enable every county to participate in the Child Assistance Program, which provides improved case management services and a higher earned disregard to welfare participants with children (and a child support order) who work.
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Page Created February 1, 2000.
Page Last Updated February 1, 2000.