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OKLAHOMA CAPITOL -- Last year, Oklahoma set benchmarks and surpassed many of its goals in reducing the numbers of citizens on welfare. This success is due in large part to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. In 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act was passed. This act replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program with the current TANF program.
In October 1992, there were 48,622 AFDC cases open. In October 1999, that number had declined to 15,960 cases a 67.9 percent reduction in Oklahoma’s family cash assistance rolls. In a continuing trend, family cash assistance rolls dropped 25 percent from fiscal 1998 to 1999.
One key to the success of TANF is the program’s strict standards. TANF recipients are allowed cash assistance for only five years and their benefits can be terminated for non-cooperation with the program. Forty percent of TANF recipients must be involved in at least 30 hours of work activity per week by the end of fiscal year 2000 as mandated by federal law.
Another aspect of TANF’s success is that it provides recipients with the opportunity to gain the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. Recipients can participate in short-term training programs through vocational/technical schools and two-year colleges statewide where they receive job skills and necessary education to become good employees.
TANF offers recipients support in making the leap from welfare to work. For example, parents who leave welfare for work may receive Medicaid for up to one year for themselves and their children. Parents leaving welfare are eligible to receive assistance with child care expenses, based on earned income. Most families also continue to receive help from the food stamp program.
Despite the decline in cash assistance rolls in Oklahoma, the volume of case activities has remained relatively constant during the past seven years. In fiscal year 1999, there were 25,947 cases opened; however, 32,902 cases were closed and 25,140 applications were not approved for benefits. Today’s focus for TANF case managers is providing social services, offering guidance, moral support and diverting clients to community resources for assistance.
Some of the major tools being used as supplements to help people go from welfare to work are:
- Many county offices arrange for literacy education classes and speakers to approach many of the problems their clients face when trying to achieve self-sufficiency.
- TANF clients can participate in short-term education and training programs through vocational/technical schools and two-year colleges statewide.
- The Work Opportunity Tax Credit law permits for-profit employers credit on their federal income tax when workers from certain groups (including TANF recipients) are hired.
- If a client has a drug or alcohol problem, a substance abuse program will become part of the client’s employability plan.
The Work Supplementation Program is a subsidized employment opportunity where TANF participants are placed in full-time employment with an additional payment being made to the employer.
Further recognition of the success of TANF occurred this month when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Family Services recognized the accomplishments of Oklahoma OKDHS with a $3.4 million dollar high performance bonus for placing recipients in full-time jobs. Oklahoma was one of only 10 states to receive this bonus.
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