STATEHOUSE (May 20, 2021) – A bill breaking down barriers for young, low-income workers looking to obtain in-demand job skills is now law, according to State Reps. Craig Snow (R-Warsaw) and Curt Nisly (R-Milford).
Currently, all money earned in a household is used to determine eligibility for Temporary Assistance For Needy Families benefits. TANF is a program that provides cash assistance and supportive services to families with children under age 18, helping them achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Snow said starting in July, House Enrolled Act 1009 will allow a Hoosier who is 24 years old or younger and resides in a home receiving TANF, to earn up to $15,000 and not impact their family's TANF eligibility.
"Learning new skills should be supported and not come with the cost of families losing critical benefits they need," Snow said. "This new law will encourage more young Hoosiers to confidently pursue new opportunities and take charge of their futures."
Nisly said this will incentivize students from low-income families to pursue a college degree or workforce certificate, or participate in a pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship program.
"As they reach adulthood, Hoosiers need to be ready to join the workforce and earn a living," Nisly said. "If they have the initiative to further their education and training, then we need to make sure the path is clear for them to succeed."
He said the law also increases the state's Earned Income Tax Credit to 10% at the start of 2022, which could put more than $11 million back into the hands of low-income working families each year.
To learn more about this new law, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Craig Snow (R-Warsaw) represents House District 18, which includes Wabash County and portions of Kosciusko, Grant and Miami counties.
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State Rep. Curt Nisly (R-Milford) represents House District 22, which includes portions of Kosciusko and Elkhart counties.
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