Welfare-to-Work (WtW)

The Welfare-to-Work program is an adjunct of the federally mandated First-to-Work program. In 1996 Congress enacted new laws that dramatically reformed the welfare system. Under the new laws a welfare recipient may receive benefits for a one time, lifetime, period of five years.

The First-to-Work program was developed to help welfare recipients prepare to make the often difficult transition from welfare to self-sufficiency. It soon became obvious that some participants were facing far greater barriers than most. The Welfare-to-Work program was designed to provide an extra layer of job preparation assistance for those participants.

The Welfare-to-Work program works closely with program participants to identify and remove barriers to self-sufficiency. Many participants do not have high school degrees, and some face additional barriers related to drug and/or alcohol use, lack of related vocational skills and experience, child care problem, or lack of transportation. Most have little idea what kind of work might be available to them, and only a limited understanding of what skills might be required to pursue full-time employment. The Welfare-to-Work program provides personal, one-on-one, intensive job preparation assistance to these individuals.

Welfare-to-Work participants remain in the program until they have remained in full-time unsubsidized employment for a minimum period of at least six months. During that period they continue to receive a full range of special benefits and assistance. The Welfare-to-Work program has been successful in helping welfare recipients with special barriers move from federal assistance to full employment and leave, hopefully forever, the welfare rolls.

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