HHS News Release

HHS Deputy Secretary Walter D. Broadnax today approved a welfare demonstration program for Wisconsin known as the AFDC Benefit Cap(ABC) Demonstration Project.

"We remain committed to working with states so they receive expeditious and careful review of their welfare waiver proposals," Broadnax said.

Under ABC, Wisconsin will not provide, except under certain conditions, any additional benefits to existing Aid to Families with Dependent Children cases due to the birth of a child when the birth occurs more than 10 calendar months after implementation of the demonstration.

New AFDC cases will receive no additional benefits when the birth occurs more than 10 calendar months after both the implementation date of the demonstration and the application or reapplication for AFDC benefits. However, additional children will remain eligible for Medicaid benefits and food stamps.

All AFDC recipients will be offered family planning services and instructions on parenting skills.

"State flexibility and testing different approaches to encourage responsibility continue to be factors in our review of proposed state demonstrations," said Mary Jo Bane, assistant secretary for children and families. "I look forward to reviewing the results of this demonstration."

The demonstration will be implemented statewide no earlier than Jan. 1, 1995, and no later than Jan. 1, 1996. A rigorous evaluation is required.

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Contact: David Siegel (202) 401-9215