Latest news with #WelfareReformAct
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Council slams 'misconceived' PIP cuts that will see thousands lose out
Council slams 'misconceived' PIP cuts that will see thousands lose out Members said they could have a disproportionate impact on Wales, particularly in deprived areas Civic Square in Port Talbot (Image: Lewis Smith ) Neath Port Talbot Council has backed a motion raising concerns and opposition to proposed reforms to the benefits system put forward by the UK Government. The benefit changes could see the tightening of qualification rules for Personal Independence Payments which the local authority feels could have a "detrimental impact" on the most vulnerable in its communities. The discussions came at a full council meeting in June of 2025, where members said moves to cut welfare could have a disproportionate impact on Wales, particularly in deprived areas such as Neath Port Talbot, Merthyr Tydfil and Blaenau Gwent. Speaking at the meeting, the leader of the council Steve Hunt said he would now write to both the Welsh and UK Government to ask that they "reassess the Welfare Reform Act and conduct a comprehensive review of the proposed changes with a focus on understanding their implications on vulnerable populations, especially in Wales." He said: "Whilst its intention is to streamline welfare offering and address physical consideration, an unintended consequence is the potential for increasing hardship amongst the most disadvantaged members of society. "These effects may undermine the social safety net essential for ensuring a minimum standard of living, particularly for individuals who are unable to support themselves due to various socio-economic or health-related challenges." Article continues below Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice Deputy leader, councillor Alun Llewelyn of Cwmllynfell and Ystalyfera, seconded the motion adding that a re- assessment and review were urgently needed. He said: "It is clear that this legislation is misconceived. "As the motion states, the intention may be to streamline welfare, but its unintended consequence will be to plunge hundreds of thousands of people in Wales deeper into poverty, and a re- assessment and review are urgently needed." Councillor Sonia Reynolds of the Neath Port Talbot Labour group said they had written to the Prime Minister to ask him to reconsider his stance on welfare benefits cuts and look for alternative solutions. She added that the impact of reductions could be particularly severe in places like Neath Port Talbot, citing figures from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which suggested 24% of people in Wales currently live in poverty. Article continues below The motion was later approved unanimously by members, with an amendment that would also see the authority formally respond to the UK Governments Pathways to Work green paper which is open for consultation until June 30, 2025. This consultation discusses proposals to reform health and disability benefits and employment support, with a focus on getting more people into work.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nebraska State Sen. Bob Andersen pushes to limit who can receive public assistance
State Sen. Bob Andersen of Omaha, right, shakes hands with Gov. Jim Pillen after the governor's annual State of the State Address to the Legislature. Jan. 15, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — Lincoln resident Andrea Evans said public assistance programs were never easy to navigate, but she was able to build a better life for herself and her family. 'People sometimes hear pieces of my life story and assume that I just want to stay on assistance forever,' Evans said. 'But that's not true. I want financial self-sufficiency.' Evans testified against a bill Thursday seeking to reduce how long someone could receive cash assistance under the Welfare Reform Act. State Sen. Bob Andersen of Papillion introduced Legislative Bill 656, which would adjust who is eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, a state and federal government program that provides monthly funds to help people buy groceries at stores. The bill's significant change would no longer let the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services accept or renew federal waivers making exceptions to work requirements for SNAP, such as living in areas with high unemployment rates or studying in school or training programs. Andersen said he aims to send a 'clear message' that Nebraska wants to turn Nebraska's 'welfare system into a workforce system and help more Nebraskans regain their independence.' Andersen also filed LB 379, which would change the maximum length of time someone can receive cash assistance under the public assistance program. 'This bill simply recognizes it does not take five years to learn a skill and get a job,' Andersen said. Several people who testified against the bills said both would only make it harder for low-income Nebraskans to be financially stable. Some argued lawmakers should focus on expanding social programs, not reducing them. Supporters of the bills pointed to states with similar regulations governing welfare programs there. 'Right now, too many individuals remain on cash welfare for too long, creating a cycle of dependency instead of a bridge to self-sufficiency,' said Clay Rhodes, a State Affairs Director for the Foundation for Government Accountability, a Florida-based conservative public policy think tank. As of August 2024, 2,965 families in Nebraska were receiving cash assistance, according to a report from the state Legislative Fiscal Office. The bill would require 'all able-bodied dependents between [ages] 18 and 59 to participate in an employment and training program.' However, LB 656 makes exceptions for 'caregivers of a dependent child or incapacitated individual,' students enrolled at least half-time and individuals ages 16 to 18 who are not heads of households or attending school or training programs half-time. The state's current SNAP requirements are that any household's gross total monthly income be at or below 165% of the federal poverty level, which fluctuates depending on the number of people in one household, and net monthly income must be at or below 100% of the poverty level. The bills won't change the requirements but will limit how long someone can be on the program. According to LB 379's fiscal note, the new limit on cash assistance would save Nebraska roughly $1 million in state funds. The Legislature is currently facing a projected $432 million budget shortfall. The freshman lawmaker said he would be open to amending his bill so that the proposed new guidelines wouldn't affect people already in the program. Andersen is a newly elected lawmaker in suburban Sarpy County's Legislative District 49, after defeating former Democratic lawmaker Jen Day last year. Anderson was one of the two Republicans who flipped Democratic seats and helped the GOP maintain a supermajority in the officially nonpartisan Legislature. His approach to public assistance differs from Day, the previous District 49 senator, who pursued bills aiming to expand social programs, including a summer feeding program eventually embraced by Gov. Jim Pillen. The Health and Human Services Committee took no immediate action on either bill. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
