Several Republican senators have introduced the EMPOWERS Act (the Economic Mobility, Prosperity, and Opportunity with Waivers that Enable Reforms for States Act of 2017), which would let states waive or sharply alter key provisions of federal safety net programs that serve low-income individuals and families. The bill would allow waivers in some 25 federally funded programs that provide over $150 billion annually in benefits and services to help low-income individuals and families. Those programs include SNAP and WIC; federal housing programs; and child welfare, job training, and child care programs, among others. States could have flexibility under EMPOWERS waivers to redirect federal funds that now provide benefits directly to families to help them meet their basic needs. They could cut benefits such as basic food aid provided by SNAP, and shift the freed-up funds to a wide array of other services such as case management. Or they could divert funds from basic assistance for families in need to other areas of the state budget by using the funds freed up by cutting benefits to supplant existing state spending in other areas.
Source: Center for Budget & Policy Priorities, 9/28/17, Safety Net Waivers
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