Fact Sheet No. 6

~ Fact Sheet No. 6 ~
THE 5 YEAR TIME LIMIT
For Families

Under the new welfare law, most households receiving Family Assistance (formerly known as AFDC) may receive benefits in the form of cash for no more than 60 months (5 years) during the head of household's lifetime. After 60 months, the Family Assistance household will be moved to the Non-Cash Safety Net Assistance (SNA) program. Most families who have received public assistance continuously from December 1996 through November 2001 will be transferred into the Non-Cash Safety Net Assistance program in December 2001.

How will the Non-Cash Safety Net Assistance Program work?

Household's transferred into the non-cash Safety Net Assistance program will get only a small amount of cash. The rest of their benefits will be:

Paid directly to the landlord for rent at the same level paid under Family Assistance.

Paid directly to the utility company at the same level issued under Family Assistance.

Coded on their EBT card so they can make direct purchases of food, clothing and other supplies in certain stores.

Important Note:

Households on Non-Cash Safety Net Assistance will receive the same overall grant value as they received on Family Assistance.

How much cash will be issued to the head of household under the Non-Cash Safety Net Assistance Program?

The personal needs allowance is limited to 20% of the current cash grant. The amounts will be approximately as follows:
            Household Size                                         Personal Needs Allowance
                    2                                                     $43.70 per month ($10.99 per week)
                    3                                                     $58.20 per month ($13.44 per week)
                    4                                                     $75.15 per month ($17.34 per week)
                    5                                                     $76.00 per month ($21.42 per week)

What about Food Stamps?

The household will continue to receive food stamps, if eligible.

What about medicaid?

The household will continue to receive medicaid, if eligible.

WE CAN Help!

If you live in North Brooklyn and need assistance, call the WE CAN Hotline at Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A: (718)487-2300 or (800) 696-6778.

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS