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Pennsylvania's welfare reform program is called Pennsylvania TANF, after the name of the federal welfare reform program. Unlike programs reviewed above, Pennsylvania did not start a welfare reform program prior to March 3, 1997, the first day the federal law went into affect. The following is an overview of Pennsylvania's plan.
Basic Program Components
TANF grants replace AFDC cash grants. Food stamps, Medical Assistance and other forms of assistance are provided separately.
A key feature of Pennsylvania's program is the Agreement of Mutual Responsibility (AMR), a written agreement that outlines the steps that must be taken by a participant to achieve self-sufficiency. It also includes basic personal and parental responsibilities that are important to the physical and mental well being of the participant's family (e.g. receiving prenatal care and periodic health screenings; taking a substance abuse assessment and participating in drug treatment). Lastly, it includes penalties if participants fail to comply with the plan. Nearly all individuals are required to complete an AMR.
TANF participants must enroll in the Road to Economic Self Sufficiency through Employment and Training (RESET) unless they qualify for any of the exemptions.
While Pennsylvania's TANF is primarily a work-first program, special incentives are available to encourage education as a means of moving permanently off public assistance:
- Participants under age 18 who have not completed high school must return to school or pursue a GED.
- To support ongoing education, student financial assistance is excluded as income when determining an individual's cash grant.
- Participants may establish "individual development accounts" to save for education expenses.
Primary goals of TANF
- Pennsylvania's TANF has six main goals:
a To promote personal responsibility;
a Move welfare recipients into jobs;
a Provide work incentives;
a Break the cycle of dependency through education;
a Strengthen families and support children;
a Simplify program administration.
Work participation requirements
Pennsylvania must meet federal work participation requirements. A decrease in welfare caseloads has prompted the federal government to reduce its work participation requirement from 25 percent to 17 percent. Clients must work at least 20 hours per week in the first year.
Phase-in process
Key dates:
March 3, 1997 - 60-month time limit began for current AFDC recipients; 24-month work participation time limits began.
Key steps in the process of enrolling in TANF and seeking employment:
Beginning March 3, 1997, all current AFDC participants must re-determine their eligibility for assistance and begin an 8-week independent job search at their next scheduled eligibility re-determination meeting with their caseworker. Each must complete an AMR at this time.
New individuals applying for TANF on or after March 3, 1997 must complete an AMR and begin an independent eight-week job search. During the first 24 months on TANF, all participants not working a minimum of 20 hours a week must conduct an independent job search for a minimum of eight weeks. If employment is not found, participants are required to participate in other work-related activities in the AMR, including job readiness training, continued job search, work experience, on-the-job training, community service or an approved job training program.
During the first 12 months, more extensive education may qualify as a work activity, including vocational education, ESL or other job skills training. An education plan can continue beyond 12 months as long as the participant is working at least 20 hours.
After 24 months, all participants must either be working or participating in a qualified and approved work-related activity to qualify for continued cash assistance.
Special programs for those who are not job ready
Increased funding ($22 million dollars) has been made available to increase welfare job training and readiness programs, transportation and other supports. Special educational incentives are built into the program for those who may not be job ready. These are described above in the Basic Program Components section.
Time limits
The five-year time limit for TANF begins upon redetermination of eligibility after March 3, 1997, for those currently receiving assistance and upon application for new families receiving assistance.
The 24-month time limit also begins at the same time for people to meet work participation requirements, or sanctions set in.
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