Comments on: DC Council Rejects Draconian Benefit Cuts for Low-Income Families, But Should Reconsider New Requirements That Make it Harder for Families to Get Assistance http://www.dcfpi.org/dc-council-rejects-draconian-benefit-cuts-for-low-income-families-but-should-reconsider-new-requirements-that-make-it-harder-for-families-to-get-assistance Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:24:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Joni Podschun http://www.dcfpi.org/dc-council-rejects-draconian-benefit-cuts-for-low-income-families-but-should-reconsider-new-requirements-that-make-it-harder-for-families-to-get-assistance/comment-page-1#comment-417 Joni Podschun Thu, 03 Sep 2009 20:49:32 +0000 http://dcfpi.org/?p=802#comment-417 One problem is that there isn't currently a "usual orientation." Recipients are not given any written or oral information about their options in the program, they are just told to report to a job training vendor for the most basic job readiness and job search assistance. The orientation needs to be comprehensive and conducted on-site at IMA service centers the same day people apply for benefits. One problem is that there isn’t currently a “usual orientation.” Recipients are not given any written or oral information about their options in the program, they are just told to report to a job training vendor for the most basic job readiness and job search assistance.

The orientation needs to be comprehensive and conducted on-site at IMA service centers the same day people apply for benefits.

]]> By: Kathryn Baer http://www.dcfpi.org/dc-council-rejects-draconian-benefit-cuts-for-low-income-families-but-should-reconsider-new-requirements-that-make-it-harder-for-families-to-get-assistance/comment-page-1#comment-250 Kathryn Baer Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:03:10 +0000 http://dcfpi.org/?p=802#comment-250 I too am very concerned about the proposal to make receipt of benefits contingent on completing an orientation. Indeed, I raised this issue in my posting on the Council's action (http://povertyandpolicy.wordpress.com/2009/08/04/dc-council-blocks-benefit-cutoffs-for-tanf-families). However, if the adult in the family genuinely can't participate in an orientation program, then cutting the families benefits hardly seems appropriate. At the same time, I think the family needs to know what services are available, how they can access them, what their rights and responsibilities are, etc. So if not the usual orientation, what? I too am very concerned about the proposal to make receipt of benefits contingent on completing an orientation. Indeed, I raised this issue in my posting on the Council’s action (http://povertyandpolicy.wordpress.com/2009/08/04/dc-council-blocks-benefit-cutoffs-for-tanf-families).

However, if the adult in the family genuinely can’t participate in an orientation program, then cutting the families benefits hardly seems appropriate. At the same time, I think the family needs to know what services are available, how they can access them, what their rights and responsibilities are, etc. So if not the usual orientation, what?

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