By Erin Smith
A new law has taken effect in North Carolina requiring the drug testing of Work First recipients. The change to the law took effect in October.
Lisa Nance, Work First Supervisor with the Bladen County Department of Social Services, said, if the case worker has a reasonable suspicion, the applicant is screened which includes answering a series of questions.
Nance said if the score on the screening test is a 3 or higher, and/or they have a criminal conviction for controlled substances in the past three years, the applicant will be referred for drug testing. Thus far, only two Work First applicants in Bladen County have been referred for drug testing since the change to the law has taken place. As of December, the total caseload for the unit was about 137.
Nance said if the individual should test positive for a controlled substance, they become ineligible to receive Work First benefits for a period of 12 months. Nance said that the benefits the applicant is receiving are then assigned to another party to receive on behalf of the child or children.
“We review cases once per year,” said Nance.
Both Nance and Bladen County Department of Social Services Director Vickie Smith said there have not been any issues with the change.
“I think it is a good policy to have,” said Nance. “I think there is a misconception in the public of who receives these benefits. We don’t want to deter people from coming in.”
She added that Work First assists people with obtaining employment, teaching them interview skills, teaching them how to properly dress for work, and assist them in becoming self-sufficient.
In a related program, the federal food stamp program has some changes for what is called Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents.
Brenda Burney, who works with the food stamp recipients said the program provides food and nutrition services to its recipients. Burney said that beginning on July 1, 2016, folks receiving benefits through this program will have to begin meeting work requirements or face losing their benefits. Burney said the last time Bladen County offered the ABAWDS program was in 2006.
Burney said basically, the changes to the program mean that if a recipient is between 18 and 49 years old and have no children, they will have to go to work. She said beginning on July 1, recipients will have three months to find a job unless they meet certain criteria for an exemption.
Burney said some of the exemptions include:
*Recipients under the age of 18;
*Recipients are 50 years old or older;
*Being mentally or physically unfit for work;
*If you are pregnant;
*If you care for a dependent adult;
*If you attend school at least half-time.
“In order to receive food stamp benefits you must work 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month,” said Burney.
She said the work criteria can be met by having a paid job that can be documented, volunteer service can be considered, and self-employment can also be considered but the case worker must be able to verify the self-employment.
Burney said that volunteer service must also be verified.
“I think it’s a good thing,” said Brenda of the change. The idea for these changes is to encourage and assist recipients to become self-sufficient.
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