CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 2 (UPI) -- Social scientists Thursday said while some U.S. families have successfully exited welfare in recent years others struggle and remain in poverty.
The report from the Kennedy School of Government analyzed data from 2,400 families in Boston, Chicago and San Antonio from 1999 to 2001.
From 1991 to 2001, the percentage of Boston welfare recipients who left the program and were working increased from 43 percent to 54 percent while the proportion on welfare dropped from 25 percent to 18 percent.
Still, the researchers concluded, welfare recipients remain confused about the rules governing the benefits and many who recently left welfare reported a drop in food stamps and other program assistance.
Former recipients did report higher earnings but often they were offset by higher expenses and a reduction in the receipt of cash and non-cash benefits. Most post-welfare families had trouble balancing the household budget with the addition of childcare and employment-related costs.
