Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

In the near future I plan on introducing legislation to eliminate current the work-search requirement in the Public Welfare Code.

A recent report by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette found that approximately 75% of applicants for welfare benefits are denied each month. You can read the story here. The report indicates that this extremely high denial rate is a result of the 2012 changes to the Public Welfare Code.

My bill would return the work-search requirements to their pre-2012 levels, helping to ensure that those who need public assistance are able to obtain it. It is clear to me that these requirements have proven to be unsustainably stringent for applicants who are already working part time, but do not work enough hours to qualify under the current rules. For those individuals, it’s nearly impossible to both work and search for work at the same time. Additionally, some are finding that there are a limited number of jobs for which they qualify, leaving them to the whims of the job market and without any hope of welfare qualification.

As a past recipient of public assistance, I know how important these services to an individual working to get back on his or her feet. I urge you to please join me in sponsoring this legislation. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact my office.