Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that limits benefits for recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

Highlights:

• Reduces the amount an individual may withdraw from Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance accounts to $25 per transaction with one transaction per day (Sec. 9).

• Prohibits recipients of cash assistance from using funds for purchasing certain products, including, but not limited to, alcohol, tobacco products, and lottery tickets (Sec. 9).

• Reduces the length of time an individual can receive assistance to a maximum of 36 months (Sec. 9).

• Requires an individual applying for TANF to complete a work program assessment (Sec. 9).

• Exempts an individual from a work program in certain circumstances including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 9):

• The applicant can document an existing certification verifying completion of the work program assessment;

• The applicant is employed for a minimum of 20 hours per week; or

• The applicant is a teen parent without a GED or high school diploma.

• Requires a household, in order to meet federal work participation requirements, to meet the following weekly participation hours (Sec. 9):

• At least 20 primary hours may be fulfilled by full or part-time employment, apprenticeship, work study or self-employment; and

• At least 10 secondary hours may be fulfilled by job skills training, education directly related to employment, or completion of a high school diploma or GED.

• Prohibits an individual who does not meet the TANF work requirements from being eligible to participate in the food assistance program (Sec. 9).

• Authorizes a Kansas benefits card with a photograph of a recipient to be used as valid identification for voting purposes (Sec. 9).

• Requires the Department for Children and Family to conduct an electronic check for any false information provided on applications for any benefit programs administered by the department, on and after January 1, 2017 (Sec. 9).

Full Bill Text