A new study of upstate New York families, former welfare or cash assistance recipients, found that although the number of families on assistance has decreased by 74 percent since 1995 in Madison County, New York, most former welfare recipients are still "living on the edge." Written by Colgate economics chair Jill Tiefenthaler and undertaken with the Community Action Program for Madison County, New York, and the Madison County Department of Social Services, the study surveyed 233 families.
Madison County outcomes post-welfare reform, for the most part, mirror the trends experienced nationally. While welfare rolls decreased and the majority of former welfare recipients are employed, many important questions central to assessing how these families are faring and their overall quality of life remain unanswered. This study addressed some of them and identified some disturbing facts:
* 53 percent live in poverty after leaving cash assistance and 50 percent attempt to survive on incomes that are 5 percent below the Federal Poverty Limit.
* 65 percent of single mothers live in poverty, while 51 percent of married couples with children are living in poverty.
* 60 percent of those who were unemployed cited a physical or mental illness as the reason they couldn't work. 10 percent blamed the absence of child care.
* 37 percent of the unemployed had less than a high school diploma.
* After leaving cash assistance, families are more likely to experience utility and telephone shut-offs, an inability to pay rent, and/or food shortages.
Researchers tried to contact 1,739 former welfare recipients in Madison County. They achieved a 22 percent response rate after offering a $10 Wal-Mart gift certificate to participants. The average age of respondents was 40, and 83 percent were women. More than 25 percent were on welfare for three years or more.
The survey participants provided recommendations based upon their experiences. Surprisingly, a majority, reflecting general public sentiment, suggested increased accountability for those receiving cash assistance. Other recommendations included prioritizing education and training in order to obtain a living wage and providing job opportunities and placements with employers where a permanent job would be possible versus the "work crew" system.
The study provided its own policy and procedure recommendations and addressed:* Intensifying of efforts to reduce poverty* Developing supports for employment* Ensuring safe and stable families* Establishing/enhancing case management services and their delivery
Specific recommendations included abolishing the existing marriage penalties within federal income tax law, instituting measures to develop more living wage jobs in public and private sectors, creating a seamless child care system, and expanding education and training opportunities for recipients.
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