Open Editorial

Better Screenings Of Welfare Applicants And Recipients 
By: David Robledo

          According to the national government, welfare is America’s most expensive domestic program.  In fact, there are currently about 46 million Americans on food stamps and other types of government assistance.  Out of those 46 million there are many that actually need the assistance but there are also many that defraud the system.  In order to cut down on so many funds being spent on the welfare system in America the government should consider a policy change that would require assistance officials to conduct better screenings as to whom they give benefits to and limit the time that one can receive benefits.  Currently there are no policies in effect that will do both these things.

          Thorough screenings of welfare applicants would consist of background checks in order to make sure that the person is of good moral character.  Anyone found of having prior convictions would be placed under a type of probation in order to see if he or she commits any fraudulent acts with their benefits.  Anyone applying for benefits would also be under close watch by investigators in order to make sure that they are not using their welfare benefits fraudulently.

          The amount of time that one can receive welfare benefits would also be limited in order to be able to assist others who are also in need.  The benefits time span would only be temporary while the recipient gets out of the financial crisis that he or she is in.  Food stamps would be limited to 2 years as well as cash assistance.  Recipients would have to prove that they are actively seeking a job.  The current policy only requires them to go to the work force commission once a month and apply for jobs online.  Many people only apply to jobs that they know will not get them hired in order to meet the criteria for job searching and still be able to receive government assistance.

          In the event of someone found to be abusing their benefits, they would be barred from benefit entitlement for one year.  If caught a second time they would lose entitlement forever.  If there are children within the family that receives benefits and the adults are found to be abusing those benefits, the benefits would be reduced in order to just cover the children.  If caught a second time they would also lose entitlement forever.

         The thorough screenings and close watch of possible defrauders are both great ways to help prevent welfare benefits abuse and save tax payer dollars.  The limiting of time that one can receive welfare benefits is also another great way to help more people who really need the assistance.  By creating a policy change in the government that includes both of these possible solutions to the welfare abuse, we as Americans can restore the welfare program to the way it was meant to be from its creation.  With integrity from everyone, I believe we can make a change to America’s most important domestic program in order to help those that are really in need of assistance.

Works Cited

Abbott, C. (2010, May 7). Food-stamp Tally Nears 40 million, Sets Record. Reuters, p. 1.

Williams, V. (2012, January 24). Texas Department of Human Resources Supervisor. (David, Interviewer)