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B]Michigan Senate passes 48-month limit on welfare, raises wage cap[/B]
Lansing— Welfare benefits are limited to 48-months under a bill passed today in a special summer session of the state Senate.
Democrats voted as a bloc against the legislation, which passed 24-12.
The two-bill package would extend to all recipients a 48-month limit that now applies only to those eligible to participate in the state's Work First program and who live in an area where the Jobs, Education and Training (JET) program is available. The 48-month limit for those enrolled in JET is due to expire Sept. 30.
Eliminating that sunset will throw 12,600 families, with an average monthly benefit of $515, off the welfare rolls Oct. 1. Savings to the state would total $77.4 million, including $65 million in the general fund. The bill includes some exemptions to the cap, and the Department of Human Services would be allowed to exempt up to 6,100 cases during the 2012 fiscal year.
The House already approved the bill, but it was changed slightly by the Senate, which gave more discretion to the state Department of Human Services to grant exemptions to the time limit. The package now returns to the House for concurrence and must also be signed by Gov. Rick Snyder to become law.
Republicans have said reforms are needed because Michigan cannot afford to extend lifetime welfare benefits. They also raised the amount families can earn while still receiving benefits.
Southfield Democrat Sen. Vincent Gregory unsuccessfully introduced an amendment to exempt from the time limit people who live in counties where unemployment is 25 percent or more higher than the state unemployment rate.
"(The cap) will result in families losing much needed assistance in the worst economic downturn in years," Gregory said. "We should be lifting up our families and encouraging them to self sufficiency.
"Ninety percent of these families are working poor … often trying to support children and just barely getting by. We are pushing these families to homelessness."
The legislation would also:
-- Discount $200 plus 50 percent of a family's earnings when determining income eligibility for welfare benefits, allowing families to earn more and still qualify for welfare than under the current law, which discounts $200 plus 20 percent.
-- Disallow benefits for 19-year-olds who live in a home receiving welfare benefits
-- Prohibit spending welfare benefits on lottery tickets, alcohol, tobacco, gambling or other nonessentials
The House and Senate convene once a month during the summer; the House will meet July 27
Finally someone with brains. We should make it 24 months
Finally someone with brains. We should make it 24 months no money if the next four months find something for to do to earn their welfare PERIOD!!
It's tuff love but the cycle has to stop they have people that have been on welfare most of there lives were does that lead, not to mention all the fraud that takes place.
They aren't "cleaning up" The mess THEY created, they're unjustly allocating blame and economic punishment to the very people most vulnerable to the economic shocks of this last decade. You know, those low wage workers who work at poverty wages so that other peoples stock portfolios keep paying out uniform (and unsustainable) profits.
They aren't "cleaning up" The mess THEY created, they're unjustly allocating blame and economic punishment to the very people most vulnerable to the economic shocks of this last decade. You know, those low wage workers who work at poverty wages so that other peoples stock portfolios keep paying out uniform (and unsustainable) profits.
You're far more generous than Bill Clinton and the legislators who passed the 1997 Welfare Reform Bill.Like unemployment benefits, welfare was suppose to be a program to get people on their feet. I say 48 month limit, most recertify every 6 months!
They aren't "cleaning up" The mess THEY created, they're unjustly allocating blame and economic punishment to the very people most vulnerable to the economic shocks of this last decade. You know, those low wage workers who work at poverty wages so that other peoples stock portfolios keep paying out uniform (and unsustainable) profits.
Oh palease. Trust me, people are pretty resilient when the free ride ends.. come down off your soap box.
They aren't "cleaning up" The mess THEY created, they're unjustly allocating blame and economic punishment to the very people most vulnerable to the economic shocks of this last decade. You know, those low wage workers who work at poverty wages so that other peoples stock portfolios keep paying out uniform (and unsustainable) profits.
Bullshit! Why are they working for low wages?
You're far more generous than Bill Clinton and the legislators who passed the 1997 Welfare Reform Bill.Like unemployment benefits, welfare was suppose to be a program to get people on their feet. I say 48 month limit, most recertify every 6 months!
That piece of legislation limits most cases to 24 consecutive months, and in my state the re-certification is monthly.
