Welfare Warriors

Summer 2007

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  Summer 2007

Welfare Activists Together
Members of DAWG, LIFETIME, and the New Orleans Welfare Rights Organization. (L to Rt: Carmen Anderson (LA WRO), Diana Spatz, Tonya Russo, and LaToya Mays (LIFETIME), Viola Francois Washington (LA WRO), and Sondra Jackson (DAWG))
 

YES! You can Still go to College and get Welfare in WV

Recent federal changes prohibit post secondary education from counting as a work requirement. But West Virginia continues to allow welfare recipients to attend college.

Our state legislators realized that continuing access to education was necessary for people to get out and stay out of poverty. So they created a new state funded program that allows welfare parents to attend college and receive benefits. The actual text from the West Virginia DHHR Income Maintenance Manual states:

Any WVWorks recipient who must meet a federal participation requirement may elect to participate in any educational activity, regardless of any restriction in Section 24.5. The participation must be full-time as defined by the institution… The client must not be required to participate in any other activity to increase her participation hours to the minimum federal requirement. However, the client may voluntarily participate in any other activity. But no sanction may be imposed for failure to participate in that other activity. If the educational activity is college, it is limited to a 2– or 4-year undergraduate degree program. College students must not be required to participate in another work activity for more then 10 hours per week in order to meet the participation requirement. Participants in educational activities must be making satisfactory progress.

Education activities include but are not limited to: Vocational training, literacy skills, English as a second language, college (does not include graduate school), job skills related to employment, education related to employment, ABE to improve basic skills (for those already possessing a high school diploma or GED), attendance in a secondary school or GED program.

We were able to win this fight with nothing more then a lunch meeting. We had fought this education fight back in 2000 and won.

The welfare department and the legislators knew creating a separately state funded program was the right thing to do. Another plus, since it’s a separate state funded program it doesn’t have to adhere to the five year limit.

Evelyn Dortch
Direct Action Welfare Group Inc. (DAWG)
(304)539-3157 www.wvdawg.org

WVWorks Supportive Services Supportive Services payments are available to families who get a WVWorks check and people who have found employment and are going off of WVWorks. Supportive Services payments for people who have left WVWorks are limited to the six months after the WVWorks case is closed. If a family has to return to WVWorks they may receive supportive service payments for an additional six months. WVWorks supportive Services include: Vocational Evaluation and/or Assessment – This payment may be used to pay for vocational evaluations and assessments through the Division of Rehabilitation Services. $1,375 lifetime limit. Six- Month Self-Sufficiency Achievement Bonus – This bonus is paid to former WVWorks recipients who are employed full-time (100 hours per month) during the 6 months following their case closure. $500 lifetime limit. GED Achievement Bonus – This bonus is paid to WVWorks recipients who pass the GED exam. Teen parents under 18 and unemancipated are not eligible for this bonus. $500 lifetime limit. DUI Offenses – This payment may be used for costs related to reinstatement of a driver’s license that has been revoked due to substance abuse. You must be in a substance abuse treatment program. Money may be used for DUI classes, license fees, and ignition interlock systems. Can NOT be used for fines, drug tests, or treatment programs. $500 lifetime limit. Vehicle Insurance – The vehicle must be titled or leased in the name of the person requesting the payment. $1,000 lifetime limit. Vehicle Repair - The vehicle must be titled or leased in the name of the person requesting the payment. May be used for inspection stickers, license plates, and driver’s education if you don not have a license. Repairs must make the vehicle drivable. $1,500 lifetime limit on the entire family. Transportation – this payment may be up to $300 a month. $6 a day for 2-20 miles round trip, $9 a day for 21-40 miles, and $12 for 41+ miles. You can include the miles to take and pick up your children from day care. No lifetime limit. Relocation Expenses - This payment may be used to relocate to a different area when an offer of employment has been verified. This can also be used to relocate victims of domestic violence. $2,000 lifetime limit. Professional License – This payment is for a professional license when it is not included in the cost of the course and must be obtained to complete the course or gain employment. $300 lifetime limit. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) – This payment may cover the costs of obtaining your CDL but can not be used if the test required is for traffic violations or DUI convictions. $300 lifetime limit. Driver’s or Chauffeurs License – This payment may cover the costs of obtaining your license but can not be used if the test required is for traffic violations or DUI convictions. $60 lifetime limit. Tools and Equipment – This payment may be used to buy tools and equipment that are not supplied by your employer but are needed for the job or job training. $1,000 lifetime limit. Clothing – This payment is for uniforms or special clothing needed for employment. Can also include shoes and boots, and dress clothing for job interviews or office work. $1,000 lifetime limit. Collateral Expense – this payment may cover haircuts, test fees, CIB checks or other expenses necessary to get or keep a job. Can not be used for rent, utilities, household expenses, eyeglasses, dentures, or medical treatment. $250 lifetime limit. Dental and vision care for some adults on WVWorks is available. Must be referred by your case worker. $2400 lifetime limit on dental care.