Expansion of education as welfare work requirement advanced

Lawmakers advanced a bill April 18 that would expand eligibility for using education to satisfy work requirements in order to qualify for certain public benefits.

Currently, the Welfare Reform Act allows participants younger than 24 to pursue a high school diploma or General Educational Development Test (GED) and remain in compliance with the Aid to Dependent Children Program’s (ADC) work requirements.

LB240, introduced by Scottsbluff Sen. John Harms, would remove the age restriction.

Harms said the change would allow ADC participants over the age of 24 to access educational opportunities that will move them out of poverty and toward economic self-sufficiency.

“Education can be key to long term stability for both parents and children,” he said.

The bill advanced to select file on a 30-0 vote.