This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated.

Date:  October 2, 1995
For Release:  Immediately
Contact:   Michael Kharfen, ACF, (202) 401-9215

"While the country awaits Congress to enact national welfare reform, the Clinton administration is giving states the authority to reform welfare now," said Secretary Shalala. "Illinois' new demonstrations share the president's goal of moving people quickly into work."

The Work and Responsibility demonstration will operate statewide and include a 2-year time limit on Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) when the youngest child in the family is 13 or older. Under the final terms and conditions, the state agreed to make additions to its original submission to provide good cause extensions. Any month in which the family has earned income, however, will not count toward the time limit. Those who fail to find employment within the first year will be required to accept up to 60 hours per month of work subsidized by the AFDC grant. Families that reach the time limit and do not qualify for extensions will be ineligible to reapply for further assistance for two years.

New applicants with children 5-12 years of age must participate in job search and employment and will be assigned to community service if they have not found a job by the end of six months.

All recipients will be required to develop and sign a Self Sufficiency Plan for moving from welfare to independence as a condition of eligibility. There will be no increased benefits for the birth of children conceived while receiving AFDC.

A School Attendance demonstration will operate in areas of the state that have contracts with social service providers to provide assistance to families with children who are truant from school. Recipients must cooperate with efforts to improve school attendance or face fiscal sanctions.

"Illinois seeks to transform its welfare program into one that motivates and requires parents to put work first," said Mary Jo Bane, HHS assistant secretary for children and families. "The Clinton administration's commitment to state flexibility will enable Illinois to promote parental responsibility among welfare recipients."

The two demonstrations will operate for 5 years and include a rigorous evaluation.