Bill amends state welfare system

Gov. Tom Wolf recently signed into law a public welfare reform bill, which addresses eligibility requirements and controls how Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards are used.

Under the law, individuals convicted of drug distribution and violators of sexual offender registration are no longer eligible for welfare. Lottery winnings will now be used to calculate eligibility. Winnings of more than $600 will be counted.

The legislation also states that welfare recipients are forbidden from using EBT cards at adult entertainment venues and casinos.

The Office of Inspector General and the Department of Human Services are required to work cooperatively to find and detecting benefit fraud.

“It’s gratifying to see Gov. Wolf recognize that limited resources for public assistance should not be given to drug kingpins, unregistered sex offenders, and others who abuse the system,” Sen. Mike Regan (R-Cumberland), who sponsored the bill, said. “This bill is the product of years of work by many of my esteemed colleagues who, like myself, understand the need to protect against abuse of our public welfare system and to ensure assistance dollars are going to those who need it the most.”

The law amends the Human Services Code, also known as the Act of June 13, 1967.