As a result, inflation-adjusted welfare benefits decreased by 52 percent between 1970 and 2000. That amount is expected to account for just 2 percent of federal spending compared to 16 percent for Defense Department and 23 percent for Social Security. About 70 percent of families entering the welfare system leave within two years. While most families do not remain on welfare continuously, a family newly enrolled could be expected to accumulate a lifetime of six years of welfare assistance. More than six out of ten first-time welfare recipients have had recent work experience.
Work is often sporadic and low-paid.
But from 1998 to 2000, the proportion of workers who had recently received welfare and earned less than the poverty level dropped dramatically - from 71 to 52 percent. For more information about family income, go to the Children's Defense Fund web site.