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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 [email protected].
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