Call-in to Governor Dayton for the holidays: Raise the welfare grants!

Tuesday, Dec. 18th thru Thursday Dec. 20th

Flood Dayton’s Phone Lines: 651-201-3400

Tell Governor Dayton that poor Minnesotans deserve more – It is time to Raise the Welfare Grants! 26 years is too long!

Sample text: “I am asking Governor Dayton to stand with families in poverty and take the lead on raising the monthly welfare assistance grants. I want Governor Dayton to put a significant grant increase in his budget proposal for the 2013 legislative session.

Welfare grants to support families with children have not been increased in Minnesota for the past 26 years! The last grant increase was in 1986.

The state has the money for a grant increase. In 2011, only 28% of the TANF( Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) block grant that is given to the state for welfare actually went directly as cash grants to the parents and children in need.”

Background Info:

The assistance grant for a family of 2:

In 1986 = $437 a month

In 2012 = $437 a month

If the grants were adjusted to the cost of living they would be double the amount. The current grant level keeps families over 60% below the federal poverty level and means homelessness, hunger and destitution for children and their parents. The past decade of state budget deficits have been taken out on poor and working people with billions in cuts to Health and Human Services, while the richest have not paid a dime!