In the state's first move toward implementation of federal welfare reform, the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services has submitted changes in its State Plan concerning public assistance. Among the changes in the revised state plan is the beginning of a 60-month lifetime limit for public assistance cash benefits.

The 60-month time limit, which goes into effect Oct. 1 and is mandated by federal law, applies to families receiving cash assistance, work-related and support service benefits, and families receiving emergency assistance. Under the new 60-month rule, the earliest a family could lose any of these forms of public assistance would be in five years, or in October, 2001.

But because the majority of Kansas families do not stay on public

assistance over long periods of time, it is expected that a small number of families will be affected by the October, 2001 date. A study done by SRS shows that 61 percent of Aid to Families with Dependent Children cases have been receiving assistance for two years or less and 39 percent have been receiving assistance for one year or less.

The 60-month time limit does not apply to medical services, child care, or food stamp programs.

Other changes that go into effect upon adoption of the revised state plan include a provision in the federal law that says individuals receiving public assistance must participate in work activities within two years of receiving aid. But because SRS has been involved in moving public assistance recipients toward work with its Kansas Works initiative, this new requirement is expected to have a limited effect here.

Kansas is and has been moving people off of public assistance and into employment and employment training," said SRS Secretary Rochelle Chronister. We have been building work site experience programs across the state and calling on Kansas businesses to help. Partnerships are being formed with communities so all Kansans acknowledge that helping people find work is a shared responsibility.

We have made a major shift: SRS offices are now seen by staff and clients alike as a place people can use to find work or work training," Chronister added. Public assistance is temporary."

Another change effective soon is the elimination of the child support pass-through rebate. Because federal funds for this program were eliminated under the federal legislation, the pass through rebate of up to $50 of current child support collected will no longer be sent to recipients of Aid to Families with Dependent Children. The last pass through checks will be mailed in October.

The beginning of the five year limitation on public assistance, the

requirement to participate in work within two years of receiving public assistance, and the elimination of the child support pass through rebate are just a few of the main changes for the state's public assistance program brought on by federal welfare reform legislation. Other changes, will be made in stages over the course of the coming year.

Connie Hubbell, Commissioner of Income Maintenance and Employment Preparation Services for SRS, said many decisions about the public assistance programs will be made with input from the public and state policymakers. She noted that some possible program changes have major fiscal implications.

No matter what, however, Hubbell said SRS and the state of Kansas are committed to providing assistance for persons truly in need.

Kansas has a deserved reputation for humane and workable social programs," she said. With major change in public assistance programs, we must remain dedicated to working with others to maintain that tradition."

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001