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.