SB 932 - This act creates a new public assistance program to be known as the "Missouri Option Program" within the Division of Family Services of the Department of Social Services. The Missouri Option Program would offer a comprehensive welfare payment system that provides incentive for recipients to seek and retain employment. The program is designed to allow a recipient to continue receiving assistance until such time as the recipient's total income is equal to the total monetary value of the benefit packages that person is currently receiving.

The Division would make a determination of the cash value of each recipient's families total benefit packages including but not limited to AFDC, food stamps, Medicaid and child care. From this base the Division would then formulate a payment system which allows individuals to keep a percentage of their earned private income with the remainder going to the State through a reduction in benefits.

Persons leaving the Missouri Option Program would have their AFDC, food stamps and Medicaid benefits recalculated and would be denied the choice of rejoining the program.

By January 1, 2000 the Division shall submit documentation to the General Assembly on the success or failure of the Missouri Option Program.
CHERYL GRAZIER