State Implementation of Major Changes to Welfare Policies, 1992 – 1998

Table W-4
Approval and Implementation Dates of Earnings Disregard Policy Changes, 1992 – 1998

  Increased Earnings Disregard TANF Implemented TANF Policy
State Approved Implemented Official Actual Flat Percent Disregard Percent Remainder Disregard Months Flat Percent Disregard Percent Remainder Disregard Months
Alabama     11-15-96   - 100 3 - 20 4-60
Alaska     7-1-97   $150 33 1-12 $150 33 13-24
Arizona     10-1-96   $90 30 all - - -
Arkansas     7-1-97   20% 50 all - - -
California 10-29-92 12-1-92 11-26-96 1-1-98 $225 50 all - - -
Colorado   -- (1) 7-1-97   no change from AFDC - $120 + 33% 4 mn; $120 for months 5-12; $90 thereafter
Connecticut 8-29-94 1-1-96 10-1-96   100% of earnings below poverty
Delaware 5-8-95 10-1-95 3-10-97   no change from AFDC - $120 + 33% 4 mn; $120 for months 5-12; $90 thereafter
DC     3-1-97   no change from AFDC - $120 + 33% 4 mn; $120 for months 5-12; $90 thereafter
Florida   -- (2) 10-1-96   - 100 3 - - -
Georgia 6-24-94   1-1-97   no change from AFDC - $120 + 33% 4 mn; $120 for months 5-12; $90 thereafter
Hawaii 8-16-96 2-1-97 7-1-97   20% then $200 then 36% of remainder
Idaho     7-1-97   - 40 all - - -
Illinois 11-23-93 11-23-93 7-1-97   - 67 all - - -
Indiana     10-1-96   no change from AFDC - $120 + 33% 4 mn; $120 for months 5-12; $90 thereafter
Iowa 8-13-93 10-1-93 1-1-97   20% 50 all - - -
Kansas     10-1-96   $90 40 all - - -
Kentucky     10-18-96   100% for 2 mn; $120 + 33% for 2 mn; $120 for 7 mn; $90 thereafter
Louisiana     1-1-97   $1,020 - 6 $120 - 7-60
Maine     11-1-96   8 counties 20% + $134; other 8 $150 + 50% under poverty
Maryland 8-16-96 10-1-96 12-9-96   - 26 all - - -
Massachusetts 8-4-95 11-1-95 9-30-96   $120 50 all - - -
Michigan 8-1-92 10-1-92 9-30-96   $200 20 all - - -
Minnesota   -- (3) 7-1-97   - 36 all - - -
Mississippi   -- (4) 10-1-96 7-1-97 - 100 6 $90 - -
Missouri   -- (5) 12-1-96   no change from AFDC - $120 + 33% 4 mn; $120 for months 5-12; $90 thereafter
Montana 4-18-95 -- (6) 2-1-97   $200 25 all - - -
Nebraska 2-27-95   12-1-96   - 20 all - - -
Nevada     12-3-96   100% for 3 mn; 50% for 9 mn; larger of $90 or 20% thereafter
New Hampshire 6-18-96   10-1-96   - 50 all - - -
New Jersey 7-1-92   2-1-97 7-1-97 - 100 1 - 50 13-60
New Mexico     7-1-97   $150 50 all - - -
New York     12-2-96 11-1-97 $90 42 all - - -
North Carolina     1-1-97   no change from AFDC - $120 + 33% 4 mn; $120 for months 5-12; $90 thereafter
North Dakota   -- (7) 7-1-97   27% + additional disregard based on family size & earnings
Ohio 3-13-96 7-1-96 10-1-96   $250 25 18 - - -
Oklahoma     10-1-96   $120 50 all - - -
Oregon     10-1-96   - 50 all - - -
Pennsylvania     3-3-97   - 50 all - - -
Rhode Island     5-1-97   $170 50 all - - -
South Carolina     10-12-96   no change from AFDC - $120 + 33% 4 mn; $120 for months 5-12; $90 thereafter
South Dakota     12-1-96   $90 20 all - - -
Tennessee 7-25-96 9-1-96 10-1-96   $90 - all - - -
Texas     11-5-96   no change from AFDC - $120 + 33% 4 mn; $120 for months 5-12; $90 thereafter
Utah 10-5-92 -- (8) 10-1-96   $100 50 all - - -
Vermont 4-12-93 7-1-94 9-20-96   $150 25 all - - -
Virginia 7-1-95 -- (9) 2-1-97   100% so long as earnings + benefit not greater than poverty
Washington     1-10-97   - 50 all - - -
West Virginia     1-11-97   disregard varies with income; averages 40%
Wisconsin   -- (10) 9-30-96 9-1-97 - 100 3 - - -
Wyoming     1-1-97   $200 single parents & $400 married couples
Note:  Implementation dates are arbitrarily stated as of the first of the month absent specific information to the contrary.  The "actual" dates for TANF implementation are based on communications from Urban Institute staff.

Source:  Department of Health and Human Services, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Setting the Baseline:  A Report on State Welfare Waivers and other unpublished documents.

FOOTNOTES

1.  Colorado began an Increased Earnings Disregard policy in five counties beginning in June 1994.

2.  Florida began an Increased Earnings Disregard policy of $200 plus one-half the remainder in eight counties beginning in February 1994.

3.  Minnesota began to implement its "Minnesota Family Investment Program" in seven counties in April 1994; this program included increasing the earned income disregard to 38 percent.

4.  Mississippi began an Increased Earnings Disregard policy in two counties beginning in October 1995.

5.  Missouri received approval January 15, 1993 for and began implementing the $30 plus one-third income disregard for up to 48 months in Kansas City beginning in July 1994.

6.  Montana's Increased Earnings Disregard policy of $200 plus 25 percent for recipients in unsubsized jobs ($100 for recipients in Community Service Program) began in eight counties in February 1996 and was phased in statewide by February 1997.

7.  North Dakota's began an Increased Earnings Disregard policy in ten counties beginning in October 1996.

8.  Utah implemented an Increased Earnings Disregard policy of $100 and 45 percent in seven counties in January 1993 and later expanded statewide.

9.  Virginia's time limit, JOBS exemptions change, JOBS sanctions, and Increased Earnings Disregards policies (100 percent up to the federal poverty guideline income level, current recipients only) began in five counties in July 1995 and were expanded to the entire state by October 1997.

10.  Wisconsin's Increased Earnings Disregard policy of the first $200 plus one-half the remainder for new applicants under age 20, approved April 10, 1992 , began to be implemented in July 1994.  Beginning in January 1995 in two counties, Wisconsin implemented an Increased Earnings Disregard policy for all those under its "Work Not Welfare."

Where to?

Main Report:  State Implementation of Major Changes to Welfare Policies, 1992 – 1998

More Welfare Issues

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Last updated 1/10/00