[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
[July 16, 1996]
[Page 1130]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Memorandum on the Work Requirements Initiative
July 16, 1996

Memorandum for the Secretary of Health and Human Services

Subject: Work Requirements Initiative

    I hereby direct you, in order to move people from welfare to work, 
to exercise your legal authority to propose a regulation that would 
require all welfare participants in the Job Opportunities and Basic 
Skills Training (JOBS) program to sign a personal responsibility plan 
for working within 2 years. After 2 years, any such JOBS participant who 
refuses to work, even though a job is available, will be sanctioned by 
loss of her AFDC benefits.
    Welfare reform is first and foremost about work. People who are able 
to work should be expected to go to work. This proposed regulation will 
dramatically change expectations for welfare recipients and welfare 
agencies, ensuring that finding work quickly becomes their primary goal.

                                                      William J. Clinton