Welfare Reform

Part I of Essay
Welfare as we knew it no longer exists. The American tradition of guaranteeing cash assistance to the poor came to an end with the signing of legislation. Under the old system the government provided benefits to the nations poor , which was mostly mothers and children. ....

Part II of Essay
.... to the states. At this point welfare rules require most recipients to work within two years of receiving assistance, limit most assistance to five years total, and let states establish family duration by denying additional benefits to mothers for children born while the mothers are already on public assistance. Traditionally the federal government set eligibility guidelines on a national basis, then handed out money to the states to fund specific programs. But now, the federal money for public assistance is sent to the states in blo ....