Welfare Drug Testing Takes Effect

[AR15L]

Welfare Drug Testing Takes Effect In Tennessee
Posted: 07/02/2014 9:23 am EDT

WASHINGTON -- Poor people in Tennessee better get ready to forfeit bodily fluids if they want welfare benefits.

A new law taking effect this week allows the state Department of Human Services to screen applicants to the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, known in Tennessee as Families First. The testing regime is not as harsh as the one in Florida famously deemed unconstitutional by federal courts in 2011.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/02/welfare-drug-testing-take_n_5548720.html?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000592

I've always dreamed about a program like this ever since I was old enough to know what it meant.

In the Navy, you want your pay? Fill this cup.

[K&E ARMS]

I would fill a cup for free money. Sign me up

[moktor]

I wonder how long this will last, considering a judge on the U.S. District Court declared that Florida requiring welfare recipients to be drug tested was unconstitutional.

[SIG556]

What drugs are they testing? I'd really like to test out that meth stuff, I hear that shit is AWESOME!

[skey]

I wonder how long this will last, considering a judge on the U.S. District Court declared that Florida requiring welfare recipients to be drug tested was unconstitutional.

Since the law makes sense, you know they are getting ready to use more of our tax money to fight it.

[Lew]

I don't see a problem with it. Hell...I have to do drug tests just to keep my job!

[Soldier_Citizen]

I don't see a problem with it. Hell...I have to do drug tests just to keep my job!

No shit...

I believe that it's unconstitutional that I should have to pay for you to stay at home sit on your ass, shoot up, and or end up on an episode of Maury while I'm out busting my ass to earn what I make... So if you want free money.... Piss in the fucking cup... If not... Piss off

[Classic]

So tell us how you really feel!?!?!?!

I agree 100%

[Mohawk13]

Not such a bad thing....Now let me fire up this bowl before I go and cash My Army Retirement check....LOL

[Soldier_Citizen]

Not such a bad thing....Now let me fire up this bowl before I go and cash My Army Retirement check....LOL

You earned that check so I say light it up!!! What did anyone do to "earn" welfare?

[Mohawk13]

Not a thing...Just trying to be a smart A$$......I get direct deposit!!!!

[Edwin]

Seems like a waste of money considering only 2% tested positive in FL.

Even if you assume that all who refuse it would test positive, that’s far below the overall rate of use both nationally and in the state of Florida. According to federal data, 7-7.7% of Florida residents use illicit drugs, meaning the rate of welfare recipients is about half that of the general population of the state. And remember, Scott sold this idea on the grounds that welfare recipients used drugs at a higher rate than others.

And by the way, this is going to cost a fortune:

Cost of the tests averages about $30. Assuming that 1,000 to 1,500 applicants take the test every month, the state will owe about $28,800-$43,200 monthly in reimbursements to those who test drug-free.

That compares with roughly $32,200-$48,200 the state may save on one month’s worth of rejected applicants.

The savings assume that 20 to 30 people — 2 percent of 1,000 to 1,500 tested — fail the drug test every month. On average, a welfare recipient costs the state $134 in monthly benefits, which the rejected applicants won’t get, saving the state $2,680-$3,350 per month.

But since one failed test disqualifies an applicant for a full year’s worth of benefits, the state could save $32,200-$48,200 annually on the applicants rejected in a single month.

Net savings to the state — $3,400 to $8,200 annually on one month’s worth of rejected applicants. Over 12 months, the money saved on all rejected applicants would add up to $40,800-$98,400 for the cash assistance program that state analysts have predicted will cost $178 million this fiscal year.

Actual savings will vary, however, since not all of the applicants denied benefits might have actually collected them for the full year. Under certain circumstances, applicants who failed their drug test can reapply for benefits after six months.

The as-yet uncalculated cost of staff hours and other resources that DCF has had to spend on implementing the program may wipe out most or all of the apparent savings, said Derek Newton, spokesman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida. The program will grow costlier yet, he said, if it draws a legal challenge.

Sources:

http://tbo.com/ap/politics/welfare-drug ... lts-252458
http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k7State/Ch2.htm#Fig2-1

[AR15L]

Washington State now sells MJ to anyone over 18. I'd be willing to bet more than 2% on welfare would fail here.

[Mohawk13]

MJ, being a State sponsored Activity in WA, Will generate....MILLIONS..in revenue..Look at CO...These other States need to jump on the Bandwagon and then there is no issue. If all goes as well as CO and the General Fund does not waste it on studying cow farts and giving themselves raises, welfare will be a non issue, as everyone will be high and not really give a S**t about whizz quizzes and where the $$ goes...Win, Win for all involved....So smoke up Washistonedians...You will not care about anything but which 7-11 is open so you can buy munchies after a night of bong-a-rama....

[AR15L]