OMB has called on agencies to loosen benefits eligibility rules under certain assistance programs for recipients who take temporary jobs related to the 2020 census, a step that was taken in the prior two national headcounts.
“The Census Bureau has difficulties recruiting and hiring individuals who receive public assistance from federal or state government over concerns that temporary income earned could reduce or terminate existing benefits,” memo M-18-26 says.
“OMB encourages agencies administering public assistance programs to exclude temporary income from census employment from eligibility determinations for the 2020 Census. This request is consistent with the administration’s priorities to incentivize work opportunities among public assistance recipients whenever possible,” it says.
It cited as “representative” programs to follow that practice: USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations; HHS’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Programs; HUD’s Public and Indian Housing; and Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs Welfare Assistance.
