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Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008 | 3:20 p.m.
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Beyond the Sun
CARSON CITY – Those receiving state welfare checks will be losing that money if they don’t work towards self sufficiency.
There are an estimated 300 families who receive an average grant of $342 a month who will be affected by the regulation that has been adopted by the state Division of Welfare and Supportive Services. It will save about $1 million a year.
And the families would not be eligible for three months for a cash grant or for coverage under Medicaid, the program that provides medical care for the low income.
Nancy Ford, director of the division, estimates about 10 percent of the cases don’t comply with a “Personal Responsibility Plan” that is aimed at getting them off public assistance. It’s a contract between the state and the person to work towards self sufficiency, said Ford.
The policy was adopted after a public hearing Tuesday which drew some protesters.
John Winters, a single father of three who borrowed money to get gas to attend the meeting in Las Vegas, said he was against any cuts. He gets public assistance and food stamps and his application for Medicaid is now being processed.
“When you hear about cuts, it hits me,” Winters told those in the hearing. “With three kids, it becomes overwhelming.”
He said he spends his day searching for employment and vows, “I will find a job.”
Jan Gilbert of the Progressive Alliance, called it “a terrible idea because of the children” that will be affected. He said the welfare division should come up with another idea.
Those who don’t comply with their personal responsibility plan have 30 days to take corrective action. This gives the client a chance to work with the division to get back on track. But if he or she doesn’t, they will be terminated from welfare and Medicaid for three months.
Pregnant women who don’t comply with their responsibility plan will not lose their Medicaid coverage.
The policy becomes effective Oct. 1.
Ford rejected a suggestion that the plan will knock entire families off of food stamps for a full month if the head of household doesn’t comply with employment and training regulations.
At present, only the mother or the father loses that benefit. Federal regulations permitted a state to penalize the whole household. But a parade of witnesses opposed the proposal, saying it would hurt the children.
Ford agreed saying, “This is too much of a hardship … too big a whammy.” She noted there would be no savings to the state.
She said about 25 percent don’t follow the employment and training program.
And there was one policy approved that encountered no opposition. The division will review cases every year instead of every six months to determine if a person is eligible to receive aid.
It will save the client time to show he or she is eligible and it will save work for state employees, whose numbers are being cut because of budget reductions.
Cy Ryan may be reached at (775) 687 5032 or cy@lasvegassun.com.
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I think this is a great idea! No more free money or food stamps! If they can't find a job have them picking up trash on the side of the freeway or cleaning up neighborhoods. There is always something for them to do. I do not believe in free money for no one. I am 64 years old and worked everyday since I was 15.
These folks saying the kids will be hurt are using them as sheilds. Seems like a win win to me if you comply then you will recieve, and what does one have to do to comply that is so objectionable anyhow, like show proof of applications being fill out showing up for interviews when notified, I bet not one person who showed up for the meeting stopped at burger king and filled out an application on the way!
And these protesters show me your pay stub where the government takes out these funding fees,Thats right do you even have a job because if you did you would want to reduce the amount coming out of yours Huh!
I don't even need a job and i spent 40 min. reading the employment section of this paper alone. And If your children are not enough motivation for you to work toward complying then you are making them suffer not me so don't victomize me using your children as a weapon.
Bottom line your children your responsibility.
Casinokid
It is unfortunate that to change the behvaior of adults we must punish the family including the children. Maybe its time to stop allowing them to be used as weapons and excuses for failure. Lets give this policy a chance.
They still need to put more teeth into self-sufficiency requirements. This is a good start, but not nearly enough. They say they're only going to review cases annually to save money. That's saving money in the wrong places. Review cases more frequently and there will be much more money saved by removing deadbeats and cheats from the program. The state also needs to institute a program whereby independent contractors are reported just as new hire employees are. There are quite a few welfare cheats out there who make money as an IC but the state doesn't know about that income since they aren't reported on the State Dept. of Labor unemployment tax report each quarter. I can imagine the construction industry would cry foul at that suggestion since they're notorious for abusing the independent contractor definition, but someone making $20 an hour in construction doesn't need food stamps.
Go to any Security Company in town, provided you don't have a criminal background and can pass a drug test. Granted, the pay isn't that great BUT these companies are ALWAYS looking to hire so anyone who says that they can't find a job is just full of you-know-what. I'm always amazed when I hear this because I work in Security and I know how desparate these companies are to hire more guards. Like I said it just takes a clean background check and a drug test. While it might not pay the best it's still better than NOTHING (or is it?)
“When you hear about cuts, it hits me,” Winters told those in the hearing. “With three kids, it becomes overwhelming.”
If you can't feed 'em, don't breed 'em!
John Winters can't find a job because he really doesn't want one. He said he spends his day searching for employment and vows, “I will find a job.” Where do you look? On TV? You sit in your Extended Stay motel room on Section 8 and expect the taxpayers to give you money and food stamps while we hold your hand. Time for you to man up! Stop whining, and act like an adult.
I am a retired 25 year Teamster and disabled to boot, but I'd bet my last dollar that I could find a job in no time at all if I needed one.
Trust me the kids rarely see much of these welfare dollars - people who think the cuts hurt the kids are wrong - do you really think that if someone on welfare has another kid and doesn't get more money that the kids will suffer MORE? No, they will suffer the same because if the parents DID get a 'raise' in the amount of welfare dollars they received the kids would not see one penny of it anyway - it would just give the adults more money to spend on booze, cigarettes and drugs. These kids don't see enough of the money the parents are already getting and not getting more won't make a bit of difference in the way they eat, drink, sleep, dress etc. etc. Let these people get a job, even two, but as one who posted prior to me so astutely put it - if ya can't feed em don't breed em. Good One!
Trust me the kids rarely see much of these welfare dollars - people who think the cuts hurt the kids are wrong - do you really think that if someone on welfare has another kid and doesn't get more money that the kids will suffer MORE? No, they will suffer the same because if the parents DID get a 'raise' in the amount of welfare dollars they received the kids would not see one penny of it anyway - it would just give the adults more money to spend on booze, cigarettes and drugs. These kids don't see enough of the money the parents are already getting and not getting more won't make a bit of difference in the way they eat, drink, sleep, dress etc. etc. Let these people get a job, even two, but as one who posted prior to me so astutely put it - if ya can't feed em don't breed em. Good One!
I agree that adults need to act as such and take care of their children, but lets be honest here. Some of these folks are in catch 22 situations and really need a hand; not everyone can find work substaintial to meet their obligations. And with this economy some gainfully employed individuals are now finding themselves on the other end of this conversation. Everyone is so quick to judge, but from what I can see no one has any real experience to base there stereotypical comments
I don't need a job and have never needed public assistance, but I am active in my community and see there is a real need - not everyone takes advantage of the system!
Finally a step in the right direction. Welfare addiction is like crack. There are very few cases where the help is "needed" and deserved. Many of them are "baby breeders" who have more children for a bigger check. Lets ween them off and make this country less appealing to them and illegal immigrants.