CHARLESTON, WV (WOAY) – West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Pack is speaking out after applications for the state’s School Clothing Allowance Program closed after being open for only a week.
The program opened on July 27 and was available for one week. Families in need could apply for $200 clothing benefit for their children.
The state Bureau of Family Allowance’s website says the program closed this week “since program funding has been exhausted.”
ABC affiliate WCHS reported that the program received more than 52,000 applications, but it is unclear how many will be approved.
In a statement, Pack says that the state cannot say it lacks funding for crucial child support programs while celebrating surpluses.
“It is outrageous and unacceptable that, as we celebrate millions of dollars in surpluses, we claim we lack the proper funding for programs that protect our most vulnerable children. Providing for these needy children is a fundamental duty of government. With rising costs, we must do more to ensure that needy families have the resources required to give their children a real chance at success,” Treasurer Pack said.“The Governor should collaborate openly with the Legislature and have a transparent, formal discussion about the true cost of this program and how we will fund assistance in the future. Identifying a problem without outlining any clear solutions helps no one. By working together, we can better serve the people of our state.”
When the program was opened, Governor Patrick Morrisey said his administration was working to make the program financially sound.
“We are doing this the right way, and we’re working to make funding streams last. COVID-era reliance on one-time money helped create these challenges, so now we are working to put this program on solid footing. Starting July 20, West Virginia families can apply for the School Clothing Allowance,” Morrisey said in a statement at the time.
