Cover
story Welfare reform - at a glance
The 1996 welfare reform law is up for reauthorization by Congress
in September. The law was undeniably successful in the goal of reducing the
number of people receiving welfare: The rolls were halved within a few years of
enactment. However, critics say that many people who have been moved off
welfare are still struggling to get by, and the welfare system needs to adopt a
larger goal of reducing poverty.
With portraits of women aided by and struggling with the new
welfare system, NCR takes a look at some of the issues surrounding
reauthorization, including:
- The need for work supports programs such as
childcare and transportation assistance that ease welfare recipients
transition to the work force.
- The need to help the hard-to-employ who remain on
the welfare rolls.
- The consequences of sanctions that reduce benefits and time
limits on cash payments in the midst of an economic downturn.
- States neglect of the welfare legislations goal of
strengthening marriage and reducing out-of-wedlock births.
National Catholic Reporter, March 1,
2002
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