More Waivers For State Welfare Programs

This is a letter from the U.S. Government Accountability Office to both chambers of Congress with opinion on whether an Information Memorandum is considered a rule under the Congressional Review Act regarding U.S. Department of Health and Human Services position on waivers for work requirements of the States pursuant to Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF).

The following is the lead purpose of the memorandum:

HHS is encouraging states to consider new, more effective ways to meet the goals of TANF, particularly helping parents successfully prepare for, find, and retain employment.  Therefore, HHS is issuing this information memorandum to notify states of the Secretary’s willingness to exercise her waiver authority under section 1115 of the Social Security Act to allow states to test alternative and innovative strategies, policies, and procedures that are designed to improve employment outcomes for needy families.

Simply put, the cap on lifetime benefits is not working.  For those who are unable to grasp the concept of putting a cap on the number of months a family can access assistance, consider the outcome when a family is cut off from its last viable resource.  The children go into foster care, juvenile justice or mental health which costs significantly more because the child welfare system has proven itself to be dysfunctional.

A number of states participate in child welfare waivers for demonstration projects, and now the call is for more waivers to improve other areas of the social safety net which have proven unsuccessful. 

On the political side, I expect a raging debate on changing the work requirements of TANF.

GAO Letter To Congress On TANF Rulemaking, 9-4-12Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©