In 1998, 17 States specified a waiver for a prescribed period of time (http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/isp/diverzn/chpttwo.htm). Following a series of sessions between representatives of national and local authorities, apart from the child benefits part, the reduction was roughly retracted.” ( Central governments may finance none of the benefit costs at the margin yet largely cover the average costs in other ways {e.g. through formula grants or payments for specific services).