People are better off working because their future will be better. Welfare benefits decline as children age and as welfare legislation changes. There are all kinds of reasons a person could lose welfare benefits. An unexpected change in family living arrangements or noncompliance with revised welfare requirements could result in an immediate loss of benefits. For example, if a dependent's oldest child turns 18 and a second goes to live with another relative, a mother who is on welfare could be left without benefits instantly.
Employed people are always more employable than unemployed people.
Working part-time at a fast food restaurant shows motivation to a prospective employer. To an employer, if a person is not working at all, there must be a reason. Employers will find a working person more appealing than an unemployed one, even if the current employment is at a menial job. Many participants do not want to consider minimum-wage jobs. Of course not.