Welfare Needs and Welfare Reform
Genuine Need or Taking Advantage of the System
I used to be a child care provider and worked with welfare mothers while the state put them back to work. So, I have had a lot of experience with both sides of this program. In this article I will offer the quotes that are the norm for those unwilling to get off of welfare and quotes from those working hard to offer support to help this cause succeed and you can voice your own opinions about the issues and complications.
Welfare Recipients: 'Why Reform won't Work'
There are, what is called 'career recipients', who openly admit that collecting a check and benefits is a job to them. Then there are others that claim they are trying to get off of welfare but can't seem to find the right job to do so. These are the hardest people to guide through the transition. Below are the most heard complaints and comments that are voiced in regards to going back to work.
"Some people are meant to work and some aren't, I just don't think I have what it takes."
"Having kids is work, I get paid for getting pregnant and taking care of my kids. This is my job."
"Why should I work if I don't have to? I make a good living on child support and state benefits so why would I want to get some minimum wage job that won't even cover half of the expenses that I am used to?"
"I try to work but the jobs just don't satisfy me. I can't find a job I like"
Welfare Reform: Services Provided for All
This program offers a job assessment (provided by the social worker appointed) where the welfare beneficiary is asked what skills they possess, if any, and what type of work they would like to do. Training is then provided at no cost to them and is paid for by our budget. Then after training is complete job placement is then set up and jobs are given ahead of regular applicants to 'give the welfare beneficiary a chance'. During both the training and employment the budget also pays for a child care provider through the Office of Education so there is again no cost to the recipient.
So, for those working hard, making all of the provisions for this project to be successful it can be very disheartening for them to keep on seeing the same faces time and time again while using more of the valuable resources. Here are some comments by social workers that are desperately looking for a way to make this program succeed.
"I think that there should be a set time for those that get onto welfare. Maybe then they may think of this as a serious issue. Millions upon millions of dollars are handed out to people that do not want to work and that is the sad fact of it. It is really no wonder this country has budget problems."
"Welfare was originally designed to assist those going through a tough time financially until they got back on their feet. But unfortunately it has been used to replace the job in the home. I definitely think that too many people are taking advantage of the system and won't quit until they are forced to."
Which Side do you Support?
How do you weigh in on this issue? Do you lean toward supporting those that can't or won't support themselves... or perhaps you stand firm with those trying to balance the scales of the working class? Which ever side you choose to support, this is a real hot topic for any good debate.
Published by Manda Spring
Manda Spring is a published author of books, screenplays, advertisements, and articles (in print magazines and online). View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentIt is nice that you shared your experiences. There are some alarming facts that prove the inefficiency and the negative consequences of the PWRORA (welfare reform act of 1996. Prior to any really strong opinions I would certainly suggest some research. A block grant allows many adverse variances among each State. Not that I am opposed to block grants because under certain scrutiny they can be good. Child care assistance is no longer guaranteed and many states do not honor that form of assistance. The result is that parents are being placed in minimum wage jobs, with an annual income that equals less than the annual cost of most one bedroom apartments in many areas. Additionally the national poverty line is set really low, resulting in a huge working poor population with no assistance.
I hate it that my tax dollars are spent to feed people who are cheating, or could get off and do better. I know someone who is working for $1200 a month under the table and gets $600 or more in food stamps for she, her husband, and 4 kids, and the husband gets a check now too from Social Security... he just goes to the mental hospital every time he gets turned down and then finally got it. Yet he works on the side renovating old houses being paid under the table.. They are really making out and the system doesn't even know it.
Well, what do you expect from societies rejects? They are uneducated morons that delight in manipulating the system and would rather be bums than productive members of the community. No decent human being would down rate this but then again we work for a living not just suck off other people. Great article.
Well done on a much needed topic. I too know people like this and yes it does seem as though you ticked them off... GOOD FOR YOU! That is how you know your message is getting across when those flunkies of society crawl out of the wood work and get offended. Superb writing, you obviously know what you are doing. Keep it up, I plan to read much more of your work.
Great job, but I guess you pissed off a few welfare bums that are working here on AC... lol... a top rated article goes to a 2.5 in a matter of hours. I guess they don't like you telling all about their family and themselves... freaking bums.... LOL... again, GREAT JOB!!!!!
Eloquent!
My niece is one of those people we all support. She's one of those who have had lots of training, a few cars and likes living on the system. However me as a single mom who was working hard to support my kids, and run a house they would not help me because I am working and have a college ed. It didn't matter that I worked an hour each day free to pay for the cab.
I am an entitlements expert and can tell you that the stats consistently have shown a very low fraud rate. Of course, it would be ideal to get the fraud rate down to zero but I would hate to see a society without compassion and support for those who truly have fallen on hard times or who are unable to work despite possessing a strong work ethic. I share your distaste for supporting those who simply never developed a work ethic.
Great approach on a strong topic. I feel that these people should be given a set time and that they should be led back to the work force. Mandatory classes should be enforced on how to enter the work force, along with a list of potential jobs. In no way should they be allowed to abuse the system by collecting money that they feel is theirs for the taking because they choose not to work.
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