Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1962-03-29
Relief Cut Impact
Called Negligible
Welfare Study
Limited to
Large Families
BY SAM EASTMAN
Star Staff Writer

has found that the impact of
the reductions so far on the
families is negligible.
The investigation was limited
to the larger families, those
with 10 or more children.
The report, submitted today
to the Commissioners, said the
study was limited to assessing
the possible immediate effects
of the reduction. The findings
of the study indicate that they
were negligible.
The report went on to en-
phaSize, however, that the find
ingS do not support arguments
for either continuing the
monthly reductions or restoring
the cuts.
No Long Range Study
The investigation was limited
to an attempt to assess pos
Sible immediate effects and not
long-range effects of the reduc-
ton"
The Commissioners, under
economy pressures from Con-
greSS, ordered the reduction in
relief checks to dependent chill
dren, effective last November. /.
They reduced the monthly pay
ments by So to a family with
four children and 81 more for
each additional child. The cuts
thus ranged from So to a family
with four children up to $42
for the largest family with IA.
The study on the impact Of
the reductions covered the
months of November and Janu-
airy. December was skipped be-
cause the relief reductions were
cancelled that month by a con-
tribution from a group of busi-
neSSmen.
The study covered the IS
families on relief who came I'M
der the size limitation of 10
or more children. There were
% families with 10 children,
nine with II, one with IL, two
with Is and one with IA chill
dren.
Shea Cites Problems
The fact that the Welfare
Departments investigation had
turned up virtually no evidence
of family disruption from the
cuts was reported in The Star
earlier this month.
In a statement submitted to-
day, Gerard Shea, city welfare
director, said that although
the findings indicate the effects
of the reductions have been
negligible so far:
However. we found that the
families experienced many
problems-problems of mental
and physical disabilities, prob
lens of illegitimacy, problems
of child-parent relationships
and problems of inadequate
housing.
Recognizing that these peo-
pie have been living on the
public assistance budget, which
is minimal, any reduction has
its effect"
The findings of the study
does not support a decision
made earlier this year by the
Commissioners to seek restora-
ton of the relief cuts for the
larger families-for those with
seven children or more. This
decision is reflected in a pro-
posed spending package which
has been sent to the Federal
Budget Bureau for submission
to Congress.
No Conflict Seen
But, city officials empha-
sized, the report is not in direct
conflict with the budget deci-
sion because it's findings are on
a short-range basis.
The welfare study was made
through personal interviews
along with checks on such
points as eviction notices, ad-
missions at city health clinics,
foster homes and District jul
venile institutions.
THAT the families had to
make an adjustment to the re-
duction in their grant goes
without saying" the report
said. Many of the families
have had to make similar adj
justments in the past, it said.
The economic adjustment to
the reduced payments was made
in the spending for food, cloth
ing, personal needs and house,
hold maintenance supplies. The
availability of surplus food
helped. the report said,