Social Action Linking Together (SALT), a faith-based advocacy organization with over thirty years of advocacy experience and 1300 members, holds firmly to the idea that strong families are critical to Virginia’s future, as critical as Virginia’s schools and roads.
With this in mind, we urge you to support SALT’s TANF priorities for 2020, priorities that will strengthen families. These priorities that will contribute to achieving family stability and security include:
Reform and Consolidation of Locality Groupings for the TANF Program. This amendment provides that TANF Groups II and III be consolidated, so the disparity in the benefits for the two groups can be eliminated and fairness maintained. This change is clearly affordable based on declining caseloads and our research. Additional supporting information regarding this proposal is available. Read more at SALT Priority #1.
Eliminate the Two-Year Time-Limit placed on Continuous Receipt of TANF. Virginia’s current two-year TANF time limit requires modification in order to accommodate those attempting to move out of poverty via education and training programs. Post-secondary education, GED, vocational education, and most credentialing programs, as well as apprenticeships, require more than 24 months for the screening, access and completion process. Read more at SALT Priority #2.
Support an Increase in TANF & Raise the Standards of Assistance (SOA). Thanks to a dramatic 64% caseload reduction, Virginia has a federal TANF block grant surplus of $124 million. The savings realized by the caseload reduction should be used for a modest ten percent benefit increase to re-invest in families still receiving TANF. SALT’s Fact Sheet provides additional information supporting the increase.
Lift the Lifetime Federal Ban on TANF for Individuals with Drug Felony Records. This ban imposes a life sentence (or lifetime penalty) after prison time has been served. It penalizes innocent children of drug felons (not only the offender) and impedes re-entry efforts and family reintegration. SALT’s Fact Sheet provides additional information supporting this proposed action.
For the 4th time in 13 years, Virginia was ranked by CNBC as the #1 state for business. Virginia, by making changes, including the ones referenced above, can become #1 for families.