Budget cuts could give Oregon the shortest time line in the nation for cash assistance program, By Michelle Cole, April 27, 2011, The Oregonian: “Oregon lawmakers are considering budget cuts that would kick families off welfare cash assistance after 18 months. If approved, the proposal, which is also included in the governor’s budget, would leave Oregon with the shortest time limit in the nation. Currently, families may receive government cash assistance for as long as five years. Shortening to an 18-month, lifetime limit would save Oregon $11.6 million over two years. State officials estimate the change could affect 7,500 families. Neither Democrats nor Republicans like the idea but they say there’s no way to protect Oregon’s social safety net completely in light of the state’s $3.5 billion budget hole and the end to federal stimulus dollars…”
Tag: Economic stimulus
Increased Need for Assistance – Virginia
In southwest Va., as more need help, aid organization has less to give, By Eli Saslow, April 16, 2011, Washington Post: “The destitute people who line up outside her office are asking for more help than ever. The organization where she works has less than ever to give. It falls on Denise Hancock to navigate the chasm in between, so she rubs her forehead, opens her office door and calls out into the waiting room. ‘Come on in,’ she says. The first client this morning at the Pulaski Community Action office is a young woman with tangled hair and smudged eyeliner, a single mother of two who lost her job at Shoney’s restaurant. ‘You’re my last resort,’ she says, handing over a piece of paper stamped, ‘Urgent: Termination Notice.’ It is an electric bill for $510.15 with full payment due immediately. ‘Can you help me?’ she asks. Hancock purses her lips, already knowing what will come next. She punches numbers into a calculator and then begins the same conversation she will have 14 more times on this day alone. ‘I’m really sorry,’ she says. ‘All we can afford to give right now is $35…'”
Job Subsidy Program – San Francisco, CA
S.F. doubles hiring subsidy to cut welfare rolls, By John Coté, April 12, 2011, San Francisco Chronicle: “San Francisco, facing a looming $306 million budget deficit, is willing to pay private companies to hire people off the city’s welfare rolls. On Monday, the city doubled its subsidy to $5,000 per employee because so few companies were taking advantage of the current local economic stimulus program…”