Welfare: My opinion on todays welfare programs.

Essay by mba3170High School, 11th gradeA+, December 2003

download word file, 4 pages 5.0

This essay is generally about the welfare reform system, or the workfare system. Many new programs were instituted that were reforms to past programs, and improved upon the way that the welfare system worked. The ultimate goal of workfare was to get as many welfare recipients into the job market in order for them to become self-sufficient, instead of relying on federal assistance. Specifically, this article discusses the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Welfare to Work Grant (WtW) programs, as well as how they dealt with recipients with learning disabilities, the retention of employment, and the requirements for aid.

The TANF program was a block grant desgiend to make dramatic reforms in the nation's welfare, and replaced former grants such as the Aid to Families with Dependent Children and Emergency Assistance programs. The goal of TANF was to promote family responsibility and self-sufficiency by way of placing welfare recipients into the workforce.

Assistance was given to these individuals for a limited time. After the period's expiration, it was the state's responsibility to somehow get the recipients into the job market. States were also required to provide education and training, as well as any other services that would ensure retention of employment.

The WtW, authorized by President Clinton, allowed for hard-to-employ recipients an opportunity to become competitive in the job market. This involved training of the future-employees, and employment assistance. This specific group of recipients made up a large percentage of TANF recipients, and was the main focus of the WtW. The money for these services was obtained from a WtW grant. The federal government allocated funds to the states, who then were involved in the distribution of the money. Some of the funds were used to provide contracts with...