Many of West Virginia's working families need assistance to pay for their basic needs. To help combat this problem the WVASF is seeking to create a refundable State Earned Income Tax (SEITC) that would be at least 10% of the federal EITC. This new credit would replace the current Family Tax Credit and would provide greater benefit to more families. Our current approach also advocates for the use of surplus dollars received for TANF.
Download SEITC Policy Brief 

Asset tests can create a disincentive to save among families who might subsequently qualify for benefits. Sometimes one additional dollar of assets can result in the loss of thousands of dollars per year in public assistance benefits. Many states are creating effective policies designed to improve asset-building opportunities for those receiving public benefits. Some states exclude assets when considering eligibility while others have eliminated limits for certain programs. Additionally states are also able to determine which resources are excluded from asset consideration. West Virginia is one of four remaining states that have not made any changes to its policies.

Lack of retirement savings is a huge concern in WV where less than half of private-sector workers have job-based retirement plans. Retirees without sufficient income to pay for housing, food and health care will need public programs to make ends meet. Voluntary Retirement Accounts would boost access to retirement plans and help businesses - especially smaller ones - provide better benefits.
Download Closing the Retirement Gap Report 

West Virginia can be eligible to receive an additional $22 million dollars if it enacts two of the four remaining Unemployment Insurance Modernization reforms. The four options include: Compelling Family Reasons; Part-Time Workers; Workers in Training; and Dependent Allowance. West Virginia needs to adopt any two of these reforms by August 2011 in order to qualify for the remaining funds.
Download Modernization Policy Brief