A Different Type Of Welfare Reform Is Necessary

8 Pages 2116 Words

The current welfare system is both under and over utilized. Some participants currently receiving benefits should not be eligible, while others with greater need are being denied assistance. There is clearly a problem somewhere when a drug addict, receiving assistance due to minor children, can sell her food stamps for drug money. Another indication of a problem in the system is when single mother of 2, barely making $10,000 a year from employment is denied because her five year old vehicle has a blue book value that is considered too high. The mother is told to sell the vehicle and she won’t need financial assistance, she is told to learn to live within her means. No one takes in to consideration the fact that she made $35,000 a year when the vehicle was purchased and that she was still with her husband. Meanwhile, the drug addict is still selling her food stamps and her children are doing without. The government constantly discusses what should be done to improve welfare programs. Both government and non-government agencies are constantly preparing reports on the successes and failures of the reforms currently in place. None of the reports written seem to agree on the results or on what else should be done. Although programs like TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) were created to reform welfare, more programs are needed to assist recipients in becoming self-sufficient.

The first thing that is needed to be known is what welfare is and what it is not. According to the American Heritage Dictionary the word welfare as three meanings, the second two being related. The word welfare is a noun derived from the Middle English
word “wel faran” which meant fare well. As listed in the dictionary the current definitions are as follows: 1. Health, happiness, or prosperity; well being, 2. Organized efforts as by an organization, for the betterment of people in need. 3. Financial or other
aid provided, esp. by ...