NEWS RELEASE
Albert
Hawkins
Executive Commissioner
Date: Aug. 17, 2008
Contact: Stephanie Goodman, (512) 424-6951
Increase in Annual Payment Helps
Low-Income Children With School Expenses
AUSTIN – About 59,000 low-income children are receiving extra help with back-to-school expenses, thanks to the Texas Legislature.
During this year’s legislative session, state lawmakers authorized a $70 per-child increase in the annual subsidy families on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) receive to help with back-to-school costs. The increase raises the extra payment to $105 per child.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is adding the extra payment to families’ August benefits using about $6 million in federal funds.
“Even in the best of economic times, back-to-school expenses can be a drain on parents’ pocketbooks,” said Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins. “This decision by the legislature will help low-income families make sure their kids are better prepared to learn when school starts.”
Hawkins said the legislature also authorized HHSC to issue $105 per-child grants in August 2010. The federal stimulus allowed states to temporarily increase the annual back-to-school payments using federal funds.
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