Minutes 11-10-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Lindsey Shewmaker, Human Services Manager, said an ABAWD is mentally and physically able to work. She said ABAWDs have to work an average of 20 hours a week, including self-employment, volunteer work, and participation in work programs. She said if there are ABAWDs that do not meet these requirements they can receive 3 months' worth of Food and Nutrition benefits, but then must wait 36 months, unless they are exempted. She said the main reasons for being exempt are having a child in the home, receiving unemployment benefits, and being physically or mentally unfit for employment. Lindsey Shewmaker said a report from the State listed about 860 Orange County ABAWD clients that currently lack income, each of whom will need to be reviewed locally to see if any exemptions exist. She said a second report is expected from the State in December, which will include the rest of the ABAWDs that do have some income, but no recorded work hours. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the total number of ABAWDs is 1,500 or 2,300. Lindsey Shewmaker said 1,500 is the initial estimate from the State, but this number may go up after the second report. She said DSS staff is currently seeking to help clients find ways to keep their benefits. Nancy Coston said DSS is not required to provide employment and training activities for these participants, but the agency is planning to expand the voluntary program as an avenue for them to meet the requirements. She said many of the activities planned for the expansion at Hillsborough Commons should meet the requirements, and the agency is also looking at expanding work experience at both County agencies and businesses in the community. She said DSS will also work with Durham Technical Community College to identify courses that are appropriate for these participants. She said, additionally, the agency would be working on transportation and other support services needed to help the participants to continue receiving benefits, while seeking additional employment skills. Nancy Coston said this law goes into effect January 1 st but clients would not lose their benefits until April 1 st; thus, DSS needs to review their clients that fall in this category during this time frame to try and find them ways not to lose their benefits, and secure proper documentation. She said DSS needs to reach out and touch 1,500 people in 30 days and then have options for those individuals that do not work 20 hours for week. She said the agency cannot use for profit sites for work experience, but they can volunteer at non-profits and they can work at public entities. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the State has specific criteria to determine the list of 1,500 clients. Nancy Coston said the first group the State ran are those who are able bodied but showing no earned income. She said this first list has no wages and risk losing these benefits. She said the next group were those who had some wages, but the number of hours being worked is unknown, so they have to find out that information themselves, and there is an estimate that there are 1,500 in Orange County that have this need. Commissioner Dorosin asked if the number of people receiving food benefits in Orange County is known, and who the State would have taken out of this number already. Lindsey Shewmaker said about 6,000 people receive benefits, and the State has backed out all the cases where there are children in the home, or there is a documented disability. Commissioner Dorosin asked if there could be clarification regarding the for-profit programs. Nancy Coston said she is unclear about this aspect of the program and criteria. She said she is not sure of what the final rule will be when all is said and done. Commissioner Pelissier asked if individuals have been notified yet.