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HARRISBURG — Legislation championed by state Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Kingston, to close a gap in the state’s welfare laws which has allowed some individuals to receive public assistance from multiple states was signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf Monday.
House Bill 1322, now Act 92 of 2015, requires applicants to disclose states in which they have previously received welfare benefits. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services DHS may not authorize general assistance for the applicant until it receives verification that his or her benefits will be stopped in the other states.
Prior to Kaufer’s change, there was no law requiring DHS, which governs public assistance laws and policies, to communicate with other states about changes in residency of applicants.
Citing reports that the Commonwealth pays more than $5 million in out-of-state payments a month, Kaufer said closing this taxpayer-funded loophole was long overdue.
“Every dollar we can save from fraud, waste and abuse is a dollar that can go to someone who truly needs it,” Kaufer said. “This reform measure will prevent people from collecting benefits from multiple states, also known as double dipping, as well as ensure tax dollars are not supporting those simply seeking to take advantage of the system.”
This is the first major piece of legislation Kaufer has had signed into law.
Act 92 also includes changes to Pennsylvania’s child care benefits structure that will help families work their way out of poverty, as well as a redesign of the Keystone Education Yields Success Program, an academic support program assisting low-income individuals who are seeking additional training or certification to improve their job prospects.