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Program Components, Policies, and Activities Evaluated
Employment activities
- Job skills training
- Job readiness activities
- Job search
Educational activities
- Adult Basic Education (ABE) courses
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- GED courses
- High school completion
- Post-secondary education
Financial incentives
- Earnings disregards
- Elimination of 100 hour rule
- Coverage for work-related expenses
- Increased asset limit
- Financial Incentives - misc.
- Higher base grant
Financial disincentives/Sanctions
- Reduced benefits for non-compliance
Food stamps
- Cash out
- Simplified program
Social/Support services
- Child care
- Case management
Administration/Implementation
- Changes in welfare office environment/culture
- Simplification of program rules and procedures
Eligibility
| Variation in program components across sites? |
Yes
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| Notes on program components |
Changes in eligibility: Changes in program eligibility are studied.
Educational activities: GED courses, ABE courses, ESL courses, high school completion, and post-secondary education are offered.
Employment activities: Mandatory intensive employment and training services after single-parent families have received assistance for 24 of the last 36 months and for two-parent families after they have received assistance for 6 of the last 12 months.
Financial disincentives/sanctions: Participants' benefits are reduced if program requirements are not met.
Financial incentives: MFIP includes a disregard of 38% of gross earned outcome, after raising basic grant 20% if employed. MFIP allows families to receive supplemental benefits while they work until their income reaches 140% above the poverty level. The 100 hour rule is eliminated and recipients receive an increased asset limit. Work-related expenses are covered.
Food stamps: Recipients receive Food Stamp benefits as part of the cash public assistance grant, instead of separately as coupons.
Program operations: MFIP combines AFDC, Family General Assistance, and Food Stamps. Additionally, two-parent families no longer face multiple work history requirements and work effort limitations.
Social/Support services:Clients are assigned to mandatory case management if they have received assistance for 24 of the last 36 months (single-parent families) or 6 of the last 12 months (two-parent families). Child care is provided. Case management in Ramsey county places stronger emphasis on immediate employment and becomes mandatory for single parents after 12 months of receiving assistance.
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