Make sure you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed before attempting to view the report. The reader is available as a free download from Adobe . States have responded to the new federal law by making significant changes to their cash assistance programs. Among those changes was to create work-focused programs.
Most states support their new programs with enhanced policies to make work pay.
Many states changed their rules to ensure that families would not leave assistance until earnings at least reached the poverty level. However, the policies enacted in Maryland regarding the treatment of earnings are at a stark contrast to those in virtually every other state. Maryland was one of four states that ended eligibility for cash assistance when earnings were less than half of the federal poverty level for a family of three. Maryland is in the minority of states that begin reducing benefits starting with the first dollar of earnings. However, none of these five states begin reductions at the first dollar of earnings, as Maryland does.