One of the budget priorities of the LePage administration is to tighten up Maine’s welfare system. The budget proposes new restrictions on general assistance, MaineCare and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
But as advocates for Maine’s poor, aged and disabled argued this week, legislators should be careful not to weaken the safety net for those in need. Resources available to disadvantaged people have been declining, and LePage’s proposed cutbacks could bring hardship to the young and elderly, and undercut the good intentions of many among the working poor.
A recent survey of those participating in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program in Maine found a strong work history among recipients, despite many obstacles that limit their opportunities. The report was prepared by the University of New England School of Social Work and the University of Maine. It was commissioned by Maine Equal Justice Partners and the Maine Women’s Lobby to provide data for the current debate.
It reports that families seek assistance for three main reasons: An inability to find or keep a good job, health problems limiting the ability to work, or a family crisis such as divorce or domestic violence. Among those surveyed, the median length of time receiving assistance was 18 months.
Most participants have a substantial work history, but they typically work in low-wage jobs with irregular hours and little job security. Their lives are complicated by health problems, a lack of affordable child care, inadequate transportation and insufficient education.
The median hourly wage of TANF recipients who are working (currently $8.36) has declined in the last 10 years when adjusted for inflation. And the survey found that the hardships of poverty ”“ hunger, lack of heat, inadequate transportation ”“ have only increased.
Only a small number have received long-term assistance, according to the survey, generally because they are unable to work due to a disability. The governor’s plan to limit benefits to a maximum of five years would inevitably create a crisis for them. Other TANF changes urged by the governor would penalize children for their parents’ mistakes.
Along with its statistical review of welfare issues, the UNE/UMaine report provides policy recommendations for improving TANF in Maine. They should be considered by legislators during the debate over welfare reform.
The goal of encouraging greater self-sufficiency among those receiving aid is one that everyone shares, but tightening the rules and setting deadlines may not be the best way of achieving this difficult objective.
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Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Nick Cowenhoven at nickc@journaltribune.com.
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