NY State TANF Cuts

Theological/Ethical Points

• A society is measured by how it treats the poor.
• Only government can equitably care for the poor.
• Government is responsible for well being of its people.
• It is wrong to burden the afflicted while asking little of the well-to-do.

TANF Problems in Governor’s  Budget

• “Full family sanctions: children will also lose benefits when head of household is out of compliance with regulations.
• Reduction in the TANF cash grant: 10% for singles after one year, for families after five.
• Spending power of welfare dollars has dwindled enormously since New York last increased grant (1990)
• Reduced benefits for Families receiving SSI, as well as TANF.
  
        -       SSI recipients are not now counted as family members.  Their benefits are calculated separately.  

                -       Under the new proposal SSI recipients would be counted as an additional family member  

                -       They would then receive only the same as a non SSI recipient.  

                -       The cuts would vary, but amount typically to several hunded dollars a month.  

What Will Help

• Maintain present benefit cut-offs.
• Preserve present SSI status.
• Expand eligibility of higher education as work requirement.
• Increase the basic grant.

3/2004