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Florida Work and Gain Economic Self-Sufficiency (WAGES) Program - Overview

In Florida, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is provided under a program known as the Work and Gain Economic Self-Sufficiency (WAGES) Program. The Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) component of WAGES provides cash benefits for needy pregnant women and families with minor children under Title IV-A of the Social Security Act. Supportive services are also provided under the WAGES program. Individuals are provided with cash assistance (TCA) and supportive services only if those families meet Time Limits, are Eligible Family Members, meet Other Eligibility Requirements and are complying with WAGES Work Requirements. All of these requirements are discussed in greater detail under separate topics.

Florida also provides "Up-Front" Diversion, Relocation, and Transitional Benefits programs to help facilitate employment and prevent long-term welfare dependence.

The following sections provide an overview of the cash and service components of Florida’ temporary assistance programs.

WAGES - Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA):

Under Florida’s Work and Gain Economic Self-Sufficiency (WAGES) Program, cash benefits can be paid to eligible families and individuals within specified time limits. The amount of cash benefit available depends upon eligible family size and reductions for earned income and resources.

WAGES - Support Services:

Support services above and beyond cash assistance are provided, if resources permit, to assist participants in satisfying their work activity requirements. Such services are technically limited to child care and transportation expenses. Some related support services such as automobile repair, tires, insurance, licenses, etc. will not be provided to applicants under the basic support provisions of the WAGES Program. However, additional and related services may be available to a person or family eligible for Transitional Services (described under the topic: Florida WAGES - Transitional Benefits). Also, some Work Requirements (see topic: Florida WAGES - Work Requirements) of the WAGES Program are de-facto training, education, and/or work-related support services. For example, a participant may be eligible for State supported On-the-Job Training and receive such services with credit as a qualified Work Requirement.

Up-Front Diversion:

Up-Front Diversion assistance is provided to an applicant who does not need ongoing financial assistance; however, due to an unexpected circumstance or emergency situation, does require some immediate assistance to seek or retain employment. Diversion Assistance may include a shelter or utility payment, a car repair payment, or other assistance that meets the applicant’s emergency financial need. Diversion assistance may not exceed the amount the family would be eligible to receive for a 2-month period under the WAGES Program. A family that receives Up-Front Diversion assistance must sign an agreement that restricts the family from applying for Temporary Cash Assistance for three months unless there is a demonstrated emergency.

Relocation Assistance:

The relocation assistance program is designed to assist individuals in attaining self-sufficiency by helping them access employment opportunities in other communities if those opportunities are not available in their current location. This program is available to both applicants and recipients of the WAGES Program. Availability of relocation assistance is based on the household’s situation and the need to relocate to become self-sufficient. Payment may not exceed a total of four months of Temporary Cash Assistance based on the size of the household. The participants must agree not to apply for cash assistance again for a period of six months (unless there is a documented emergency.) The relocation option is also available to victims of domestic violence.

Transitional Benefits for Former WAGES Participants:

Transitional Benefits are available to assist former WAGES participants who no longer receive Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) to transition from dependence on public assistance to an employed, self-sufficient lifestyle. To be eligible for Transitional Benefits, a person must be employed. Also, he or she must have earned income sufficient to cancel cash assistance or opt not to receive cash assistance in order to receive Transitional Benefits. Transitional Benefits include:

·      Education and Training

·      Child Care

·      Medical Services

·      Transportation

A more detailed description of eligibility requirements and services under the Transitional Benefits program is contained in the topic Florida WAGES - Transitional Benefits.

Non-Compliance with WAGES program requirements:

Each individual who is not exempt, or otherwise deferred, is required to participate in a "countable work activity" as a condition of eligibility for Temporary Cash Assistance. The WAGES program design calls for strong penalties to be applied to families when participants fail or refuse to participate in countable work activity. The failure or refusal of individuals to become fully engaged in this component of the program may result in time limited benefits ending before the family can become economically self-sufficient. Penalties for non-compliance can include both loss of cash benefits and loss of food stamps. Penalties are more severe for those who have been found non-compliant more than once.

Additional Information

The Florida TANF State Plan is available online in PDF format (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) at:
http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/ess/TANF-Plan.pdf

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