All three are working their way off welfare through employment and education. Monty Martin, director of income maintenance for Ramsey County, took a few minutes recently to discuss how the changes affect people on assistance and in particular their access to higher education. Ramsey County serves 8,100 adults and 22,000 children on public assistance. These are both new to welfare. Welfare is now truly a short-term assistance program.
Participants have a lifetime limit on benefits of five years.
For many, the clock started ticking on these limits last July. In addition, nearly every participant will be expected to work. Participants will be assigned a job counselor, who will help them make the transition to employment. Those who fail to work face financial sanctions. The role of education has changed from what it was in the old welfare world.