House Bill (HB) 1863, enacted by the 74th Texas Legislation and signed into law by Governor George W. Bush in June of 1995, dramatically changed the welfare system in Texas, making work an immediate priority for low-income families receiving TANF. Texas received federal authority to implement Achieving Change for Texans (ACT) its waiver-based welfare reform initiative. Implementation of ACT began in May of 1996. The federal waiver will expire in March 2002; upon expiration Texas will operate its welfare reform in accordance with PRWORA.
Under ACT, adults are limited to 12, 24, or 36 months of cash assistance, and nonexempt clients must work or participate in approved activities that can enable them to become self-sufficient. ACT embodies the same principles as the federal welfare reform law by enforcing the importance of working, emphasizing the temporary nature of public assistance, and the belief that parents are responsible for the care and well being of their families.
During the 1999 Legislative Session, measures increasing incentives and post-employment services for those on welfare finding employment were passed. This legislation allows recipients who become employed to retain their welfare benefits during the first four months of work, thus providing an easier transition from welfare to the workforce. http://www.twc.state.tx.us/welref/welrefabout.html
Across the country the number of families receiving cash assistance has declined significantly over the past several years. In Texas, the caseload has dropped from 263,455 families in September 1995 to 127,774 in May 1999, over a 50% reduction in caseload.
Choices program (formerly known as JOBS) participation information collected through October 1999:
Unduplicated count of TANF clients in the Choices program: 61,704
Unduplicated number of TANF clients in the Choices program who entered employment: 27,640
The average TANF clients per month in the Choices program: 21,014 ....................
