CONCORD – The 2011 decision of the Republican-led Legislature to eliminate state-paid welfare benefits for unemployed two-parent families was a direct cost shift to property taxpayers, advocates for the poor claimed Tuesday.
Sarah Mattson, policy director for New Hampshire Legal Assistance, said that when the state bailed out of the program, low-income families likely sought benefits from local welfare offices.
“We are talking about families who have virtually none or very little income,” Mattson said. “It would be difficult to find a more direct downshift.”
Purna Pundy, 22, was able to secure benefits as an immigrant from the Asian nation of Bhutan who endured life in a refugee camp in Nepal.
“It’s been a big help for me,” said Pundy, a plumber and father of three who had difficulty getting work due to his limited English-speaking skills.
But supporters learned early on in this 2013 legislative session that policy committees are unlikely to endorse spending bills before the House Finance Committee that will be crafting a two-year budget later this spring.
“I would rather see us pass a policy statement that we value this program even though we don’t have money at this time,” said Rep Laurie Harding, D-Lebanon, vice chairwoman of the House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee.
The program that includes monthly checks and training assistance costs the state about $2 million a year. State health officials estimate that about 230 families qualify.
Mary Lou Beaver of Every Child Matters said families spend about four months in the program, compared to 19 months in the federal Transition Assistance to Needy Families program. Beaver said it’s the only state support most of them could receive.
“Only 13 of those families are able to get some other aid, the rest of them were left with no income at all,” Beaver said.
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