A bill that would extend federal welfare benefits to convicted drug felons will get another look next year.
Right now, those with a felony drug conviction on their record are banned for life from receiving cash welfare benefits.
That same rule doesn’t apply to any other kind of felon, including those with a violent past – something state Rep. David Bentz (D-Christiana) wants changed.
“When we release someone from prison, if we don’t give them the sort of supports they need to reintegrate then we’re really just setting them up for failure and putting them on the course to recidivism,” Bentz said.
Those receiving these benefits are limited to three years of eligibility during which they must be working at least 30 hours a week or searching for a job.
Critics of the bill calling it a handout are missing the mark, he said.
“This isn’t just a ‘no strings attached’ cash handout in the sense that you do need to meet certain requirements and be actively trying to find work.”
A similar bill Bentz introduced this year passed nearly unanimously in the House, but didn’t make it to the Senate floor during a marathon June 30th session that ended around sunrise.
A fiscal analysis from June shows 32 people would be eligible for the program, costing an extra $22,000. It’s unclear how many people could qualify right now.
Delaware is one of 10 states that don’t allow drug felons to apply for welfare benefits and it recently rolled back a similar law banning them from food assistance.
