Students’ income earned through paid internships or work-based learning programs will no longer impact their families’ eligibility for certain benefits.
The new law, which went into effect on Jan. 1, comes after State Rep. Chuck Goodrich (R-Noblesville) authored a law empowering the next generation of Hoosier workers by removing this barrier to opportunity. He said dependents from low-income families were in a tough spot because developing skills for the workforce meant their income would count against their family’s Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits.
Goodrich
“This is a step in ending generational poverty,” Goodrich said. “A student needs to feel confident in taking on new opportunities and challenges that will prepare them for the competitive workforce. With this law, they no longer have to decide between making sure their family can maintain their benefits and building their own skills to get a good-paying job.”
Goodrich said the new law also comes as Indiana continues to build up its workforce. With more than 45,000 jobs available in a variety of fields including health care and advanced manufacturing, he said Hoosiers wanting to skill up should turn to Next Level Jobs Indiana. The program offers Workforce Ready Grants covering tuition for Hoosiers earning a high-value certificate for an in-demand job. To learn more, visit nextleveljobs.org.