The Welfare Reform Act of 1996 ended the concept of entitlements by requiring recipients of welfare to find work within two years of receiving assistance. How has this changed the lives of the poor?
A) Moving from welfare to work helped single people much more than it did families or single mothers.
B) Moving from welfare to work caused many former welfare recipients to plunge into homelessness.
C) Moving from welfare to work did not substantially increase income levels; it simply shifted the poor from welfare to low-paying jobs.
D) Moving from welfare to work increased both the self-esteem of the poor and their incomes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Moving from welfare to work did not substantially increase the income levels of the poor. Instead, it shifted them from welfare to low-paying jobs. This often led to working poverty, where individuals were still struggling to make ends meet and afford basic necessities like housing and healthcare. This was particularly apparent for lone-parent families, who often had more difficulty finding work and securing affordable childcare. While there have been some benefits to moving from welfare to work, such as increased self-esteem and work experience, it has not been a comprehensive solution to poverty.

The Welfare Reform Act of 1996 Ended the Concept of Entitlements