Welfare Reform / Public News Service

This week, state Sen. Katie Muth, D-Moyersford, and Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia, started circulating memos in the General Assembly seeking sponsorship of bills to increase TANF benefits to 50% of the federal poverty level. (Annie Spratt/Unsplash)

Report: TANF Benefits Vital for PA, But Program Needs Overhaul

HARRISBURG, Pa. - This week marks the 25th anniversary of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the cash-assistance program commonly known as TANF…

Some 40% of mothers new to the 2020 Magnolia Mother's Trust program said they had money saved for emergencies. After receiving $1,000 a month for 12 months, that increased to more than 85%. (Wikimedia Commons)

Groups Urge Long-Term Solutions After States Cut Federal Unemployment

By Katie Fleischer for Ms. MagazineBroadcast version by Lily Böhlke for Tennessee News Service/Public News Service NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- After …

An average of 1.7 million WIC participants receive Farmers Market Nutrition Program benefits each year. (Adobe Stock)

WIC Families Can Now Get Vouchers for Farmers Market Purchases

DENVER -- Participants in WIC, the federal nutrition assistance program for women, infants, and children, can now get vouchers to buy food at farmers …

The USDA projects that $1 billion in additional SNAP benefits would lead to an increase of $1.54 billion in the nation's Gross Domestic Product. (Adobe Stock)

Feds Pony Up to Get More SNAP-Eligible Families Enrolled

LINCOLN, Neb. - The U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering a 50/50 match on Nebraska dollars invested in outreach to get more eligible families …

Nueva Coalición busca promover la Educación Informada sobre el trauma en las escuelas

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Una nueva coalición estatal quiere que las escuelas y las comunidades se enfoquen en la educación y que cuiden a los …

An estimated 12 million Americans nationwide are set to lose their unemployment benefits the day after Christmas. (Mr Doomits/Adobe Stock)

Thousands in New Hampshire to Lose Jobless Benefits After Christmas

CONCORD, N.H. -- It looks like millions of Americans will enter the new year without jobless benefits they've been receiving during the pandemic…

A report from the Urban Institute finds an additional 21.1 million people would be uninsured, a 69% increase nationally, if the Affordable Care Act were repealed. (Adobe Stock)

U.S. Supreme Court Takes Up Future of Affordable Care Act

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Tomorrow, the Supreme Court hears oral arguments in cases that could decide the fate of the Affordable Care Act. Health coverage …

In 2017, Pueblo's poverty rate was nearly double the state rate, with nearly half of single parents with kids younger than age 6 living in poverty. (Pixabay)

Report: Free Child Care Could Remove Barriers for Pueblo Families

PUEBLO, Colo. -- A new Colorado Fiscal Institute report on working families in Pueblo, one of Colorado's poorest regions, shows investing in free or …

Children with access to healthcare are more likely to succeed in school, graduate from high school, attend college, earn higher wages, and become healthy adults. (Adobe Stock)

Spike in Number of Uninsured NC Children Among Highest in Nation

RALEIGH, N.C. -- An estimated 142,000 North Carolina children were uninsured last year, according to a new report released by the Georgetown …

Research shows children with health insurance are likely to grow up to be healthier, more productive adults. (Pixel-Shot/Adobe Stock)

Fewer Children Have Health Insurance; Report Predicts Trouble Ahead

PITTSBURGH -- The number of children without health insurance was rising nationwide and here in Pennsylvania before the COVID pandemic, and a new …

In Illinois, 5.6% of Latino children do not have health insurance, compared to 4% of all children in the state. (Adobe Stock)

Illinois Sees 46% Spike in Number of Uninsured Kids

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Even during a time when the economy was notably strong, Illinois lost ground in ensuring children have access to health coverage…

In Texas, 954,000 adults would be newly enrolled in Medicaid if lawmakers chose to expand it. (texasmed.org)

Study: Texas Forfeits $5.4 Billion without Medicaid Expansion

AUSTIN, Texas -- As states grapple with financial shortfalls due to the coronavirus pandemic, a new study shows just how much Texas could benefit by …

Mayors from St. Paul and ten other U.S. cities want America to embrace the idea of providing direct cash payments to people struggling to get by. (Adobe Stock)

MN City Joins Call for Guaranteed Income for Struggling Residents

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- This summer, a coalition of U.S. mayors joined forces to win support for the idea of providing guaranteed income for struggling …

Since the state's eviction moratorium expired in June, thousands of North Carolina residents are at risk of losing their housing. (Adobe Stock)

NC Lawmakers Fail to Bring Relief to Struggling Residents

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina's economy is hurting, yet residents can expect little in the way of federal relief. U.S. Senate lawmakers have …

Mercy Flights' mobile paramedics can offer up to 30 days of transitional support after someone is discharged from the hospital. (Jason Quigley)

Paramedics Meet Folks Where They're Comfortable to Prevent Hospital Stays

MEDFORD, Ore. -- First responders are reaching beyond emergencies to support people in southern Oregon. Mercy Flights is the emergency …

During the last recession, 40,000 Colorado children fell into poverty, and the state's child poverty rate did not return to pre-recession levels for five years. (PxHere)

Groups Call for Federal Nutrition, Health Assistance

DENVER -- Children's advocates are urging Colorado's U.S. Senators -- Republican Cory Gardner and Democrat Michael Bennet -- to move quickly to pass …

The 2020 KIDS COUNT Data Book ranks Utah fourth in the nation for the overall well-being of its children, with 2% fewer living in poverty (16%) than the national average (18%). (Monkey Business/Adobe Stock)

Utah Kids Rank 4th for Overall Well-Being in New Report

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah is among the best states in the nation for children's overall well-being, according to a new national report. The 2020 KIDS …

Around 84% of Democrats and only 16% of Republicans polled approve of the Affordable Care Act, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Adobe stock)

10 Years Later, Obamacare Even More Essential During COVID-19 Outbreak

RICHMOND, Va. -- Today is the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Affordable Care Act, and health care advocates say the federal health insurance …

Insurance and medical care costs are a top concern for people potentially infected with the coronavirus. (Adobe stock)<br /> — Insurance and medical care costs are a top concern for people potentially infected with the coronavirus. (Adobe stock)

Maryland Reopens Insurance Enrollment as Coronavirus Spreads

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- As the coronavirus outbreak worsens, Maryland has reopened its health insurance exchange to boost coverage and expand treatment for …

Texas currently serves just 4% of the state's poorest families, one of the lowest rates in the country. (Libreshot)

How Trump Budget Proposal Could Impact Texas Kids

AUSTIN, Texas - The Trump administration's proposed 2021 budget takes aim at a number of safety-net programs, including $21 billion in cuts to the …

As of 2018, 239,000 Kentucky children relied on food-assistance benefits, according to federal data. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed Changes Could Reduce KY Families' Access to Food

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Last week, Kentucky House lawmakers advanced legislation that would reform how the state provides cash and food assistance and …

A new rule could affect roughly 70% of people who apply for green cards each year. (leekris/Adobe Stock)

Public Charge Rule Stokes Fear in ID Immigrant Communities

BOISE, Idaho -- A change to how public-assistance programs weigh on a person's citizenship application is shaking Idaho's immigrant community…

Most rural Americans with disabilities lack a nearby Social Security Administration office. (Minerva Studio/Adobe Stock)

Benefits Change Would Hit Rural Montanans with Disabilities Hardest

HELENA, Mont. -- Rural people living with disabilities could feel the biggest impact from changes to the Social Security disability program. The …

California is the first state to extend health care benefits to income-eligible undocumented adults younger than age 26. (Cathy Yeulet/iStockphoto)

Medi-Cal Expanding for Qualifying Undocumented Young Adults

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Starting tomorrow, all low-income Californians younger than age 26 who meet the income requirements will be able to sign up for …

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue says changes to SNAP work requirements will move participants toward self-sufficiency. (USDA/Flickr)

USDA Head Visits Indy Amid Food-Stamp Cuts

INDIANAPOLIS — Hunger-fighting groups say they're disappointed the head of the U.S. Department of Agriculture used an Indiana visit to tout …

About 688,000 people are expected to be affected by new rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. (U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr)

Hundreds of Thousands to Lose SNAP Under New Rule

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Trump administration's new rule tightening work restrictions for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is drawing …

Nearly 1.6 million people in Tennessee rely on Medicaid for health coverage, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

TN First State to Submit Medicaid Block Grant Proposal

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee has become the first state to submit a Medicaid block grant proposal to federal officials. If approved, the …

In 2018, the average weekly unemployment benefit paid to Iowa workers was $385.19. (useche70/Pixabay)

A Drug Test to Get Unemployment Benefits?

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Trump administration has approved a new regulation allowing states to include drug testing as a condition for anyone …

Idaho's application to add work requirements for Medicaid coverage notes the proposal could affect health coverage for 16,000 people. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

ID Submits 'One-Strike' Medicaid Work Requirement for Feds' Approval

BOISE, Idaho — The public comment period is open on Idaho's application to the federal government to add work reporting requirements to its …

About 9% of North Dakota households experienced food insecurity between 2015 and 2017. (kuarmungadd/Adobe Stock)

Groups Fear More Hunger in ND from Proposed SNAP Change

BISMARCK, N.D. – Anti-hunger groups in North Dakota fear that a proposed change to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will lead to …

A single person with no children can earn up to $1,247 a month and qualify for federal food assistance, and most recipients have to work at least 20 hours a week. (Pixabay)

Changes to Food Stamps Projected to Hurt Nebraska Children

RALSTON, Neb. – Children's advocates are hoping Nebraskans will weigh in on a proposal by the Trump administration that could kick more than 3 …

A proposed rule change from the USDA could mean 60,000 fewer Oregonians would receive SNAP benefits, potentially straining resources like food banks. (Oregon Food Bank)

Millions Could Lose Food Assistance Under Proposed SNAP Change

PORTLAND, Ore. – Anti-hunger advocates are pushing back against a Trump administration proposal that could kick more than three million people …

About 40 million Americans rely on the SNAP program for food assistance, including more than 400,000 Nevadans. (Nevada Department of Agriculture)

Anti-Poverty Groups Slam Administration's Changes to Food Assistance

CARSON CITY, Nev. - Groups that advocate for the working poor are speaking out against a new policy proposal from the Trump administration to make it …

Medicaid expansion currently covers about 96,000 Montanans. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Public Comment Open on MT Medicaid Expansion Work Requirements

HELENA, Mont. – The public has an opportunity to comment on changes to Medicaid expansion that allow Montana to implement work requirements for …

Utah legislators are asking the federal government to approve their modified Medicaid expansion plan that would cover fewer people and could also save the state money. (Wikimedia Commons)

Utah Seeks Public Comments on Partial Medicaid Expansion

SALT LAKE CITY – Utahans can comment over the next few weeks on a proposed federal 1115 Waiver that the state needs to implement partial Medicai…

More than 80,000 children in Tennessee are no longer enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, and likely have lost health insurance, according to a new report. (Adobe Stock)

Report Cites Big Drop in Number of Medicaid- or CHIP-Enrolled TN Children

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The number of children who are not enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Program, is on the rise…

In 2017, 7.7% of American seniors were at risk of going hungry. (Feeding America)

Food Insecurity for Seniors Remains High, Despite Economy

CHARLESTON, W. Va. – Despite a strong economy, the number of seniors at risk of going hungry remains stubbornly high. According to a new …

Senior Hunger Remains Stubbornly High in Indiana, Nation

INDIANAPOLIS – Despite a strong economy, the number of seniors at risk of going hungry remains stubbornly high. According to a new report from …

Some 58% of SNAP recipients have jobs, and 82% worked immediately prior to or after receiving benefits. (U.S. Army Reserve)

Proposal Would End Time Limits on Food Stamps

LINCOLN, Neb. – New legislation making its way through Congress aims to keep food on the tables of people struggling to find steady employment…

More than 4,000 parents and caretaker relatives have signed up for MaineCare Expansion this year. (BewitchingGrace/Creative Commons)

Maine Ranks Low in Increasing Insurance Rate for Mothers

AUGUSTA, Maine – According to a new report, Maine ranked among the five worst states in decreasing the uninsured rate for women of childbearing …

The uninsured rate for women of child-bearing age in states that haven't expanded Medicaid is nearly twice as high as expansion states. (blankita_ua/Pixabay)

Report: Medicaid Expansion Good for Health of Mom, Babies

BOISE, Idaho – Expanding Medicaid has helped states cover more mothers and children and improve their health along the way, according to a new …

Supporters of Medicaid expansion gathered in Boise this session to oppose lawmakers' scaling back of the measure. (Reclaim Idaho)

'Ugly' Session Adds Momentum to Group Behind ID Medicaid Expansion

BOISE, Idaho – Attempts to curtail voter initiatives in the Idaho Legislature this year are invigorating the group behind Medicaid expansion…

About 60% of children who rely on Medicaid coverage have a disability. (Africa Studio/Adobe Stock)

Researchers: Medicaid Block Grants Would Hurt Ohio Kids

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Researchers say national talk of turning Medicaid into a block grant program could threaten health-care coverage for …

The state says Medicaid recipients who received a Kentucky HEALTH eligibility notice in the mail should disregard it. (@lizzieallenphoto/Twenty20)

Confusion Amid Federal Judge's Ruling on Medicaid Work Requirements

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky HEALTH program, which would have required Medicaid recipients to work or volunteer in order to get health …

Illinois estimates more than 400,000 residents will receive federal food benefits at least one month this year. (Gemma Billings/Flickr)

SNAP Change Opponent: Food Benefits Support Job Searches

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A change to eligibility for federal food assistance could affect hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans. Able bodied people …

While food pantries help thousands of Oregonians, Oregon Food Bank notes that SNAP feeds 12 times more people than pantries do. (Lance Cheung/USDA)

Oregonians Could Go Hungry Under Food Assistance Rule Change

PORTLAND, Ore. – The federal government's proposed changes to food assistance eligibility has hunger fighting groups across the nation …

The Medicaid expansion measure passed in November aimed to provide health insurance for the estimated 60,000 Idahoans who fall into the coverage gap. (Kencf0618/Wikimedia Commons)

Lawmakers Debate Medicaid Expansion Details as Session Winds Down

BOISE, Idaho - With the legislative session drawing to an end, Idaho lawmakers still are working out how to implement voter-backed Medicaid expansion…

Medicaid expansion has reduced the number of uninsured adults in Kentucky by more than 460,000, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. (@thegoldenmonoclenyc/Twenty20)

KY Senators Fight to Preserve Medicaid Benefits

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Two new bills introduced in the Kentucky Senate would require Medicaid to cover dental and eye doctor visits, and would …

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Welfare Reform