ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-fourth Legislature

Second Regular Session

HB 2695: TANF; financial literacy education

Sponsor: Representative Nutt, LD 14

Committee on Health & Human Services

Overview

Permits the Department of Economic Security (DES) to allow a course in financial literacy and personal finance to qualify as a work activity as it relates to assistance.

History

The Jobs Program is Arizona’s mandatory employment and training program for work-eligible individuals, generally adults, in households receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Cash Assistance. The program engages people in a variety of work-related activities to increase their employable skillset and may offer supportive and some specialized services to remove barriers to employment. These activities and supportive services are provided to encourage and promote self-sufficiency through employment at the earliest opportunity.

As a condition of eligibility or continuing eligibility for cash assistance, all recipients must engage in work activities that are established and determined appropriate by DES. (A.R.S. § 46-299)

Provisions

1. Permits DES to allow a course in financial literacy and personal finance to qualify as a work activity as it relates to assistance. (Sec. 1)

2. Specifies that a course in financial literacy and personal finance includes instruction on household cash management techniques, career advice to obtain well-paying and secure employment, using checking and savings accounts, obtaining and using short-term and long-term credit or securing a loan or other long-term financing arrangements for high-cost items. (Sec. 1)

3. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1)

6. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

7. Initials IG Health & Human Services

9. ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------