Georgia Leads Nation in Moving Welfare Recipients to Work

Georgia Leads Nation in Moving Welfare Recipients to Work

Georgia Decreases Welfare Recipients from 30,600 to 8,100 in Four Years

ATLANTA – Today at a meeting of the Urban Partnerships for Welfare Reform National Academy, Governor Sonny Perdue announced that the state of Georgia is first in the nation for moving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients into the workplace or to a work training program. In less than four years, the number of welfare recipients in Georgia who are either working or in a work training program has increased from 8.2 percent to more than 69 percent. Also under Governor Perdue’s leadership, the number TANF recipients in Georgia has dramatically decreased. In 2002 Georgia served more than 30,598 adult TANF cases. Today only 8,100 cases remain.

“Georgia families on welfare are working, and making strides toward the ultimate goal of gaining financial independence,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Georgia is setting the example for the entire nation thanks to our thriving economy and DHR’s targeted welfare reforms.”

Today in 32 Georgia counties, 100 percent of adults receiving TANF are either employed or in a training program to help them gain employment.

Georgia’s improving welfare to work statistics have been nationally recognized. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Georgia TANF recipients’ earnings increased by 31 percent from 2003 to 2004, the highest earnings increase in the nation. This increase earned Georgia an extra $4 million federal grant to be used for work training programs.

Under Governor Perdue’s leadership, the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) has focused on assisting families with extreme obstacles preventing them from making the transition from welfare to work. DHR is focusing efforts specifically on victims of domestic violence, citizens with disabilities and welfare recipients with multiple children.

“Welfare is not good enough for any family and even though we have made significant progress, we must work harder to make sure that no one falls through the cracks,” said DHR Commissioner B.J Walker.

As Georgia’s TANF caseload continues to diminish, the state can now devote unused TANF resources to assist recipients facing the greatest challenges in the transition from welfare to work. DFCS caseworkers have developed targeted strategies focusing on job coaching, mentoring, intensive case management and reimbursement for certain activities needed to support employment such as transportation, uniforms and tools. These strategies are designed to assist welfare recipients with job retention and increase their earnings.

The 32 Georgia counties with 100 percent of adults receiving TANF that are either employed or in a training program to help them gain employment include: Barrow, Butts, Chattooga, Cherokee, Columbia, Cook, Crisp, Evans, Fannin, Glascock , Hancock, Jackson, Jeff Davis, Lamar, Lanier, Lincoln, Marion, Pickens, Pike, Telfair, Toombs, Webster, Gordon, Murray, Walker, White, Lincoln, Crisp, Macon, Treutlen and Ware.

For additional information on Georgia’s TANF program, visit dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov.

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