Pryor’s amendments guarantee protections for hard-working Hoosiers

INDIANAPOLIS - State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) offered two amendments yesterday (Jan. 21, 2020) to House Bill 1009, which focuses on eligibility for Hoosiers who participate in programs such as: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, free and reduced lunches, and scholarship assistance.

Pryor’s amendments would exclude money earned by an individual through an internship or work-based learning course from impacting a family’s eligibility for certain assistance programs.

Pryor’s first amendment adds any income an individual obtains while working as a temporary census worker to the list of disregarded incomes when determining a family’s eligibility for TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, free and reduced lunches, and scholarship assistance.

“Collecting information for the census is so important because it determines how much money our state will receive from the federal government to help support certain programs in our state,” Pryor said.

“We need motivated people in these positions, and the risk of losing financial assistance shouldn’t hold people back from helping us collect this data.”

The second amendment Pryor offered would exempt any income earned through a post-secondary paid work experience in an on-the-job learning program when determining if an individual is eligible for TANF, SNAP and Medicaid assistance.

“A Hoosier should not be punished for trying to better their lives,“ Pryor said. “We have people pursuing programs in the trade industry and this amendment will allow them to receive assistance while they work toward furthering their career.”

Both amendments passed unanimously with voice votes in the House.