The state’s new welfare law does not include education and job training as activities which fulfill the new work participation requirements for welfare participants. The practical result is to strongly discourage workfare participants’ voluntary preparation for better-paying jobs. This undermines the welfare reform goals of promoting independence and financial security.

New York has a great deal of authority in deciding which activities are "countable" as work participation. The State could allow for vocational training, community service, and training for job skills to fulfill the participant’s work participation obligation. Internships and work-study could also be incorporated.

The State Department of Labor reports that 75% of New York City’s major employers require college degrees or training beyond high school for entry-level jobs. Research shows that 87% of 4-year college graduates move off welfare permanently.

Recently many college students on welfare have had to leave college to do workfare hours. Some have left college or training programs just months short of graduation.

Hunger Action Network Recommendations:

The State should allow internships and college work-study to be a countable work activity for the purposes of fulfilling welfare work requirements.

The State should include participation in an approved educational or job-training activity as fulfillment of the work participation requirements. Approvable activities should include basic education, literacy, English as a second language, high school equivalency, and vocational training.

Workfare related assignments should be made only after there has been a proper assessment of job skills and experience. Assignments must be based on the assessment and employability plan.