Monday, 22 April 2013 17:24
Change to welfare could save state millions
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri social service officials have told a House panel the state could save $28 million annually by moving people from welfare programs onto federal disability payments.
The Republican-led committee is investigating a contract that pays Boston-based Public Consulting Group $2,300 for every Missouri resident moved onto disability payments.
Officials with the Department of Social Services told the panel Monday the contracts saves money for the state and assigns people to the appropriate program.
People on welfare are required to engage in job-seeking activities. Committee Chairman Rep. Jay Barnes, of Jefferson City, says people receiving disability payments are unlikely to seek work because it would negatively affect their federal benefits. Barnes called for the hearing in early April.
Published in
Local News
Tuesday, 19 March 2013 16:26
Missouri Auditor questions millions in welfare payments
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich is questioning millions of dollars of welfare payments made to low-income residents.
Schweich released an annual audit Tuesday examining Missouri's use of $12.7 billion of federal funds during the 2012 budget. He raised concerns about $68 million of expenses, mainly through programs run by the Department of Social Services.
As he has in the past, Schweich questioned whether some of Missouri's payments under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program were allowed under federal law. The department has said that they are.
Among other things, the audit also cited improper payments to some child care providers and noted that the state failed to perform annual eligibility verifications for some senior and elderly residents receiving home-based services.
Schweich released an annual audit Tuesday examining Missouri's use of $12.7 billion of federal funds during the 2012 budget. He raised concerns about $68 million of expenses, mainly through programs run by the Department of Social Services.
As he has in the past, Schweich questioned whether some of Missouri's payments under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program were allowed under federal law. The department has said that they are.
Among other things, the audit also cited improper payments to some child care providers and noted that the state failed to perform annual eligibility verifications for some senior and elderly residents receiving home-based services.
Published in
Local News
Tuesday, 05 March 2013 01:54
MO senators outline plan to curb welfare fraud
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri welfare recipients would be barred from using their benefits for alcohol, gambling or adult entertainment under a proposal from two state senators.
The legislation outlined Monday would also prevent welfare recipients from using their electronic benefit card for sporting events, lottery tickets, amusement parks, zoos or museums.
Repeatedly misusing welfare money would carry a felony charge and prison sentence.
The measure would stop short of preventing welfare recipients from purchasing banned items, because electronic benefits could still be converted into cash.
Republican Sen. Will Kraus, of Lee's Summit, and Democratic Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, of University City, are sponsoring the measure.
The legislation outlined Monday would also prevent welfare recipients from using their electronic benefit card for sporting events, lottery tickets, amusement parks, zoos or museums.
Repeatedly misusing welfare money would carry a felony charge and prison sentence.
The measure would stop short of preventing welfare recipients from purchasing banned items, because electronic benefits could still be converted into cash.
Republican Sen. Will Kraus, of Lee's Summit, and Democratic Sen. Maria Chappelle-Nadal, of University City, are sponsoring the measure.
Published in
Local News
Latest News
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Enterprise Holdings increasing hiring of veterans
Enterprise Holdings is increasing their hiring of veterans as we head into Memorial Day Weekend. The company says they have already hired more than 600 vets this year and plan to ...
Last day to drop off donations as part of "STL 4 OKC"
It is the last day to donate items as part of the STL 4 OKC campaign. Mayor Francis Slay, County Executive Charlie Dooley, and Rams Quarterback Sam Bradford were all on hand this ...
Illinois Judge pleads not guilty for drug, gun possessi…
An Illinois judge whose colleague died of a cocaine overdose while the two were on a hunting trip together has been charged with possession of heroin and guns. St. Clair County Ci...
Illinois House passes conceal carry law
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois House has approved a plan to allow qualified gun owners to carry their weapons in public. Illinois is the only state in the country without a...
Relative accused of sexually assaulting 2-year-old girl
Reports of a disturbing case of sexual assault coming from Belleville. A 45-year-old man is in custody after allegedly raping a 2-year-old girl. Officers say there was a witness p...
UPDATE: ATF fugitive captured
The hunt for a fugitive in the St. Louis area is over. The ATF reports that agents have captured Excedrin Collins. The alert for Collins was sent out by the Kansas City ATF office...
TRUCK IN WASH. SPAN COLLAPSE HAULED DRILLING EQUIP
MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) — A truck hauling a too-tall load of drilling equipment hit an overhead bridge girder on the major interstate between Seattle and Canada, sending a section...
School bus overturns on I-55
Six people are hurt after an accident involving a school bus on I-55. It happened in the southbound lanes of I-55 just past 7th Street shortly before 9 am. The school bus was turne...
