The Pattern of Dependence: Length of Time on Welfare

The public is often told that the current welfare system does not promote long-term dependence. According to this picture, AFDC generally provides temporary aid, and very few recipients receive welfare for extended periods. This picture is inaccurate.

Of the 4.7 million families currently receiving AFDC, most will be dependent on welfare for very long periods of time. As Chart 1 shows, families receiving AFDC at the present time have already spent, on average, six-and-a-half years enrolled in AFDC.1 When past receipt and estimated future receipt of AFDC are combined, the estimated average length of stay on AFDC among those families currently receiving AFDC benefits is an astounding 13 years.2 Moreover, these figures actually underestimate the length of welfare dependence, since such families are very likely to receive other welfare benefits (such as food stamps, SSI, Medicaid, and housing) even after they leave the AFDC caseload.
* The 4.7 million families currently receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) have already spent, on average, six-and-a-half years on welfare.

* When past and estimated future receipt of AFDC are combined, the estimated average length of stay on AFDC, among those families currently receiving benefits, is an astonishing 13 years.

* Among the 4.7 million families currently receiving AFDC, over 90 percent will spend over two years on the AFDC caseload. More than three quarters will spend over five years on AFDC. The Heritage Foundation

Quote Originally Posted by SadisticNature View Post
Yet welfare is a program that is minimally abused, over 95% of welfare recipients are on the program for only a short period of time, only 5% are the chronic abusers you "complain" about. 95% of the people who use it need support while they look for a new job. I don't think the coal miner is lazy, and I don't begrudge him a few months on welfare after they close the coal mine.

If you want to scrap welfare how about we get rid of every program that has less than 95% efficiency first. Starting with all military technology spending, which just about never comes in on budget.