Posted on: Monday, October 1, 2001

The September 11th attack
More than 800 families to lose welfare Dec. 1

Associated Press

A state official says it's too early to tell how the state's economic slump will affect more than 800 Hawai'i families who are scheduled to lose federal welfare benefits Dec. 1.

Kris Foster, an administrator in the state Department of Human Services, said her office is monitoring the situation closely.

A 1996 welfare reform law establishes a five-year time limit for families receiving welfare.

On Dec. 1, 818 Hawai'i families will reach their time limit and will be dropped from the program.

Of this number, about 500 have found some work, but not enough to meet their families' needs, Foster said.

Foster said she is encouraged by the number of people that have found work and gotten off welfare, but said the state's economic problems following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks would change things.