Here’s my idea of welfare reform:
(document presented in language of applicant).....Public Assistance Implementation and Usage Contract.
This contract, entered into on (date) and expiring on (18 months from implementation date) by the (state agency) and applicant(s) listed herein (must submit names of applicant and children born to her via birth records),allows for the provision of food,housing allowance,child care and education for the purposes of job placement during the contract period,and is understood by all parties concerned that the provision of aforementioned assistance is on a one-time basis,not to be repeated or reinstated at any time for any reason between the applicant(s) and the agency named herein,and is for the aforementioned time period only,and can only be implemented following presentation of documents proving legal citizenship status and a drug screening process,both of which are to be conducted by the agency.
Once legal citizenship status and drug screen results are known by the agency and the applicant and found to be favorable,this contract can then be implemented.The following covenants hereby apply and are agreed upon by both the named agency herein and the applicant(s) seeking assistance (failure of any one of these covenants will be considered a contract breach on the part of the applicant,and will result in immediate termination of the contract;assistance will be terminated immediately and can never be reinstated at any time in the future for any reason:
Applicant MUST disclose the name(s) of the absent parent of applicant’s child/children so that an attempt to obtain monetary support for those children can be made through DNA analysis. Failure to disclose the absent parent’s name will result in automatic immediate cessation of benefits.
applicant will submit to random home visits which will be unannounced and will occur during the 5-day work week,normally during the early afternoon hours;
applicant will submit to random drug testing as directed by the agency;
applicant must not conceive,adopt (formally or informally,including family members,immediate or extended) marry or cohabitate during the contract period;
applicant must attend a one-year vocational program via a voucher provided by the agency;applicant must attend each class ( two absences will be allowed during the contract period and a doctor’s note must be submitted upon returning to class for each absence) and a transportation voucher will be provided by the agency for transportation during class hours;child care will be provided by the agency during class hours only.
Once applicant graduates from vocational training, a two-month job-placement period will commence,with child care provided by the agency; Upon applicant’s employment,there will be an additional 4 months of ongoing assistance to allow applicant enough time to establish themselves in their occupation and to make child-care arrangements for after the contract period.
Once this contract has reached its expiration date,the assistance provided,all provisions and covenants and financial considerations as well,will cease and terminate permanently.The applicant is barred from any and all future assistance.
I,________________ hereby agree to adhere to all covenants,rules,etc of this contract. I realize and fully understand that I am bound by this contract in order to receive assistance in any form,and that any violation or breach will result in my not receiving any form of assistance any further. I agree further that this contract was fully explained to me by the agency caseworker and that I will fully comply. (sign & date here)____________________________
Agency hereby agrees to and will implement to the best of its ability and obligations,all covenants of this contract.
(agency sign & date)_______________________
a) Periodcially supply each welfare recipient some bags of inexpensive foods, that they must cook themselves such as rice and beans, oatmeal, a small amount of inexpensive meat, some milk, eggs, and a few fruits and vegetables. No EBT cards for shopping sprees and vacations.
b) Require that every recipient forfeit all cell phones, televisions, mp3 players, video games, jewelery, articles of clothing valued above $20, and any other luxuries you can think of. Regular, unannounced visits would be made to confiscate any newly acquired non-necessities, even if the items were received as gifts.
c) The items would be held in storage for 90 days (maybe 180). If the “client” is off welfare by then, the items would be returned. If not, they'd be auctioned off on a new reality show called “Welfare Storage Wars”. The proceeds from the auctions and reality show would towards paying the welfare benefits.
This way, those who are truly in need, would never be denied basic necessities, but would be very, strongly motivated to get a job. Tough Compassion.
The number of welfare recipients would plummet and most of those who would still be on it, would really need it.
The fundamental problem with the current system is that many welfare recipients can have a better standard of living on welfare than they would working, plus they don't have to work.
While the moral thing to do is to try to stay off of welfare, in a strict standard of living sense it could be considered irrational to try to get off and get a job. My system would pretty much eliminate that problem.