THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, June 6, 1995 TAG: 9506060271
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARGARET EDDS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
Welfare recipients who try hard to find a job but can't may get a single three-month hardship extension to the state's new two-year limit on welfare payments, according to emergency regulations adopted Monday.
The standard, which is substantially tougher than an earlier Allen administration proposal, was nestled amid 36 pages of regulations adopted with almost no discussion at a morning meeting of the State Social Services Board.
The regulations will govern at least the first year of the revolutionary welfare reform plan, which is to take effect July 1 if the federal government gives its OK.
After Monday's meeting, the hardship-extension limit was challenged by a leading Democratic proponent of reform and by an attorney for the Virginia Poverty Law Center. Both raised what was perhaps the central question of reform critics during legislative debate: Is it wise or fair to cut off payments that filter down to children if a parent truly can't find work?
``The regulations confirm our worst fears that children whose parents are unable to find employment will not be protected,'' said Steven Meyers of the Poverty Law Center.
``I think that has the potential to be a little too draconian if in fact a real hardship exists,'' said David G. Brickley, D-Woodbridge, who headed a legislative task force aimed at welfare reform.
Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services John Littel, a key administration player in developing the reform regulations, countered that the state is developing a welfare reform plan, ``not an unemployment plan.''
Several stages of review still separate welfare recipients from losing their welfare benefits, he said. First, the Social Services Board next week must adopt ``policy'' guidelines, which supplement the regulations and might give local social services departments more leeway in granting hardship exemptions.
Second, the emergency regulations adopted Monday must undergo a year-long review process - including public hearings - before they are permanently adopted.
Still, Littel said he believes a limited extension for someone who can't find a job or loses a job through no fault of his or her own should suffice. ``We're saying we think three months is long enough,'' he said.
The Social Services Board, which was overhauled by Gov. George F. Allen last year, voted unanimously for a package of regulations that was distributed to it Saturday and revealed publicly Monday.
The only extended comments were from Vice Chairman Naomi R. Warder of Virginia Beach, director of social services at Sentara Bayside Hospital, and from Charles D. Hobbs of McLean, who runs a consulting firm on human services policy issues.
Hobbs, via speaker telephone, cautioned that ``we need to be very careful to stress individual initiative as opposed to hand-holding.''
Warder said she's ``very well pleased'' with the regulations but welcomes the year's review before final adoption. Adjustments may be needed based on experiences during the next year, she said.
Lt. Gov. Donald S. Beyer Jr., a leading Democratic advocate of welfare reform, could not be reached for comment on the regulations.
Meanwhile, Littel said the state will be looking to churches and service organizations to help guide individual welfare recipients in their transition to work. Such involvement could substantially reduce the cost of providing case managers, reform advocates believe. ILLUSTRATION: Color drawing
KEYWORDS: WELFARE REFORM SOCIAL SERVICES by CNB