State officials have not yet decided how to spend $431 million of federal funds meant to help the poor.
The money is a surplus from federal funding for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
Each year, Ohio receives $728 million for the program, but also must provide $390 million. Of this $1.1 billion program, the state was projected to have a surplus of $228 million to handle increasing caseloads or other unforeseen expenses. But Ohio counties did not spend the $165 million they were allocated, leaving the state surplus at $431 million, said Jon Allen, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Athens was allocated $3.5 million for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in 2004 and spent $1.2 million, he said, and returned two-thirds of the money to the state.
The state has always tried to maintain some type of reserve. This is a block grant from the federal government. It is not an option to go back to the Feds to ask for more money
Allen said.
Large surpluses are normal, and in the 1990s, the surplus probably was double what it is now, he said.
The department is considering a number of options for spending the remaining funds, including subsidizing child care and helping with increased co-pays, he said.
We have to make sure that whatever change we make is sustainable into the future. Our preference is not to do one-time type things but things that can be maintained throughout the future Allen said.
Not everyone agrees with waiting to spend the money.
The state should use the money to increase the amount of cash assistance given to families each month, said Jack Frech, director of the Athens County Department of Job and Family Services.
They should use this money to help families
Frech said.
There are 141,000 children living in families that receive cash assistance in Ohio. The average family receiving cash assistance lives on less than $700 a month, including cash assistance and food stamps, Frech said.
Families are having to choose between paying gas and car bills or putting food on the table
Frech said. There is no excuse for that.
But adding to cash assistance is a drop in the bucket, Allen said.
The point isn't to give someone a few more dollars each month
he said. The welfare could triple
and they could still be living below poverty line.
Athens County Commissioner Mark Sullivan said the poverty rate in Athens County is about 28 percent.
More lasting solutions to poverty need to be explored, Allen said.
We need to figure out what barriers exist and work to find these people jobs
Allen said.
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