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State expands TANF work assistance program Georgia remains a national welfare-to-work model as it continues to steer more people off government assistance toward work. The state's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, which provides assistance to poor families, recently instituted the Work Support Program to help working families once they leave TANF with ongoing employment intervention support services. In an expansion of services to families, the program now provides work support payments, transitional support services and job coaches services. Work support payments assist those who are leaving TANF into the world of employment by giving them cash supplements for 12 months through a two-tiered process - $200 per month for the first six months and $100 per month for the second six months. The work support payments can be used for childcare expenses including daycare fees, transportation costs to and from daycare and snacks for their children while at day or after care. Transitional Support Services are available for a period of six months beginning with the first month of ineligibility of cash benefits, or the month in which a family's case closes due to employment. Transitional services include incidentals like vehicle maintenance and related expenses, however, reimbursement is limited to $1,000 per period of participation. Transitional services may also include financial assistance for emission inspections, driver's license fees, and transportation reimbursement for employment or training. Job coaches will be available to provide counsel to working individuals and families members at least once a week. Job coaches will also work with clients to develop a job retention/career advancement plan, and assist in everyday life and problemsolving skills. Job coaches will also monitor post employment activities and collaborate with employers to explore advancement opportunities for the worker.
Georgia's TANF program was awarded a High Performance Bonus Award of $4 million in 2005 for boosting employment among welfare recipients. Currently there are 3,000 adults participating in the state's TANF program.
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