Under the new welfare law, most single adults and couples without children receiving Cash Safety Net Assistance (formerly HR) may receive benefits in the form of cash for no more than 24 months (2 years) during their lifetime. After 24 months, these households will be moved to the Non-Cash Safety Net Assistance program. Most singles and couples without children who have received public assistance continuously from August 1997 will be transferred into the Non-Cash Safety Net Assistance program as soon as the City's computer system is programmed to implement these changes.

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

Households 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 Safety Net Assistance.

• Paid directly to the utility company at the same level issued under Safety Net Assistance.

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

Important Note:

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: