Status of the Western States

Unique approaches in western states include:

  Wyoming is the only state in the West that has continued providing benefits to needy college students while encouraging four-year degrees. To become eligible, students must work at least 32 hours per week for 16 weeks prior to the start of benefits. Students are not required to work while pursuing the degree but must maintain a 2.0 GPA and enroll full-time.

  California is one of four states that do not count student financial aid as income when determining eligibility for welfare.

  Colorado defines work activities to include, but not be limited to, postsecondary education and work/study employment.

  Arizona allows recipients to put aside $100 a month, up to a maximum of $9,000, in Individual Development Accounts for training and education.

  Oregon's Job Plus Program, which counts for 1 percent of its total TANF package, requires employers to pay $1 per hour worked into an Individual Education Account for workers on welfare employed beyond 30 days. The worker may use this toward later employment training. The payment is deducted from the wage reimbursement paid by the state.