"Two of the most impressive achievements of the past 8 years have been the
reduction in the number of Americans receiving welfare, and the increase in
the numbers of current and former welfare recipients who are working. . .
. . . The 1996 reforms have undeniably been successful in reducing the
number of people receiving welfare. But reductions in caseloads are not the
only measure by which to judge the reforms: the well-being of the millions
of former welfare recipients is at least as important. Much of what we know
about outcomes for welfare leavers comes from studies undertaken in
individual States. . . .
. . . Welfare leavers are unlikely to thrive in the workplace if they are no
better off financially than they were before leaving the welfare rolls.
Evidence from State studies indicates that, at least initially, few leavers
are significantly better off. . .
. . . For 44 percent of leavers, household income plus food stamps in the
year following exit was more than $50 per month higher than in the months
before; for 49 percent it was at least $50 lower. . . . "
. . . Enrollment in the food stamp program has fallen dramatically since
1994, from a high of 27.5 million participants to 18.2 million in 1999, in
part because of the strong economy. Of concern, however, is the fact that
the participation rate for eligible families declined from 71 percent in
September 1994 to 62 percent in September 1997. This decline is particularly
marked for families with children. In 1999 only 51 percent of children in
families with incomes below the poverty line received food stamps. Even
among the very poorest children�those in families with incomes less than 50
percent of the poverty line�data indicate that only 58 percent received food
stamps in 1999, down from 76 percent in 1993. . . .
Chapter 5, Economic Report of the President, 2001
[note: a "leaver" is someone who joins the caseload of Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (formerly AFDC) and separates from the program, either
voluntarily or otherwise. It does not include those who never enter the
program, who might have under other circumstances.]
