In a two-parent family, current policy restricts the number of hours worked by one of the parents. If one parent works 100 hours or more per month the family cannot receive AFDC. To encourage two-parent families to seek and increase employment, eligibility will be based on financial need
only, eliminating the 100-hour limitation.
Federal policy states that a family is not eligible for AFDC if one of the parents works 100 hours or more per month, regardless of the amount of earnings. It is an economically-rational decision for parents to choose an alternative that provides financial stability for their family. For this reason, parents frequently do not accept part-time, low-paying jobs because doing so would terminate their eligibility for both AFDC and Medicaid.
Too often, parents separate as a result of this policy so that their children and one parent may continue to receive benefits.
This policy change would encourage families to remain together and to seek employment without fear of losing assistance before their earnings are sufficient to support a family.
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