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SENATE FISCAL OFFICE 2 of 4 Table 2: Hypothetical earnings and benefits for a family of three Monthly earned income Cash benefit

Total monthly income Yearly income $0 + $554 = $554 $6,648 $100 + $554 = $654 $7,848 $250 + $514 = $764 $9,168 $500 + $389 = $889 $10,668 $1,000 + $139 = $1,139 $13,668 $1,278 + $0 = $1,278 $15,336 To be eligible, a family must have less than $1,000 in resources, excluding the home in which the family lives and up to two vehicles (one per adult). Families who are eligible for Rhode Island Works can also receive health insurance through the RIte Care program, food assistance through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), subsidized child care, and transportation assistance. EMPLOYMENT PLAN As a condition of eligibility, recipients must enter into an employment plan developed in coordination with the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Labor and Training (DLT). For most parents, the employment plan begins with a four- week intensive job readiness and job search program operated by DLT at the One Stop Career centers. Single parents must work or prepare for work an average of 30 hours per week (20 hours if the household includes a child under age six). In two-parent families, one parent must work 35 hours per week; if the family uses a childcare subsidy, both parents must work a total of 55 hours per week. At least 20 of these hours must include one or more of the following:  Employment  Unpaid work experience or community service  On-the-job training  Job search and job readiness  Vocational education (up to 12 months)  Providing child care for a parent who is participating in approved community service  Adult education in an intensive work readiness program (up to six months) Individuals who meet the 20-hour requirement above may also count job skills training and education towards their overall weekly work requirement. Failure to comply with this work requirement results in reduction or elimination of the cash benefit for the entire family. TIME LIMITS Receipt of cash benefits under Rhode Island Works is subject to time limits. A family can receive assistance for no more than 24 months (whether or not consecutive) in any 60- month period. There is also a 48-month lifetime limit on assistance. (Rhode Island’s time