HHS Approves Welfare Waiver for Georgia
HHS Secretary Donna E. Shalala today announced approval of Georgia's "Work for Welfare" demonstration project. This is the second waiver demonstration approved for Georgia under the Clinton administration.
"In little more than a week, the Clinton administration has helped four states enact welfare reform on a local level," said Secretary Shalala. "Georgia's project will require parents to move into work quickly and support their children responsibly."
The project has two components. The first will be implemented in 10 counties. Adults who have received Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) payments for 24 of the previous 36 months will be required to work up to 20 hours per month at an assigned job in local, state or federal government, or at a non-profit agency.
If work is not available, time will be spent in job search. Courts may order non-custodial parents who are delinquent in child support payments to also take part.
Failure to comply will result in the loss of the individual's benefits for one month the first time, three months the second, and two years the third. Children's benefits will not be affected, and participation is not required if transportation is not available.
The 10 counties are Bibb, Cook, Crisp, Dooly, Irwin, Jenkins, Lowndes, Walker, Wayne, and White.
A second component, to be implemented statewide, allows a family to have a vehicle of any value if it is used to commute to work or school. It also disregards the earnings of children attending school full-time, through age 18.
"Georgia's demonstration emphasizes that work is the essential goal of welfare reform, while protecting children," said Mary Jo Bane, assistant secretary for children and families. "The Clinton administration's ongoing commitment to state flexibility is ending
welfare as we know it for states across the country."
The demonstration will operate for five years and will include a rigorous evaluation.
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
Contact: Michael Kharfen (202) 401-9215
