Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed legislation that he says will bring Louisianans from a state of dependence to independence.
Those bills, which he signed during a ceremony in Bossier City on Wednesday, will move the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (food stamps) programs from the Department of Children and Family Services to the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
Landry says this reorganization will give LWC the opportunity to help low-income individuals seeking government assistance find a job.
“Because right now, Louisiana is seeing a 127-percent increase in job opportunities," Landry said. "We have the jobs. We need the people. If you can work, we expect you to work."
Landry says this welfare reform law creates a single entry point for low-income residents seeking food stamps or temporary cash through TANF. He says eligible recipients can receive the assistance, but he notes that the eventual goal is to help them find work.
“That’s why we call it the one-door policy," Landry said. "Where our citizens can apply and receive assistance in moving from dependence to independence, and they’ll do it through employment."
Landry also signed a bill that increases the number of work searches required for unemployment benefits from three to five per week.
“This ensures that the benefit goes to those actively seeking employment,” Landry said.