Shutdown hits home for thousands of Arizona families
Oct 2, 2013, 5:00 AM | Updated: 12:41 pm
PHOENIX — Two major funding sources on hold because of the federal government shutdown have an immediate impact on Arizona.
Nicole Moon with the Arizona Department of Economic Security said the shutdown impacted the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Payments averaging $207 to 5,150 low-income families won’t be made Wednesday.
“The program is to help them pay their bills,” she said. “So if you’re in a dire situation you can apply for this assistance. There’s a 24-month limit on getting the cash assistance. If you have no other income then this money helps pay for food, utilities and medical bills.”
More than 11,300 other families will not be affected by the shutdown.
Additionally the Social Services Block Grant has been delayed. This is federal money that DES uses to fund a variety of services for the elderly, domestic violence shelters, housing for the homeless, eviction prevention and utility assistance.
Moon believes most of those operations will be able to continue in the short-term while other programs could be impacted sooner.
