Hawai'i families on welfare drop 12 percent
| • | Fewer Americans receiving welfare |
By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Staff Writer
The number of Hawai'i families on welfare dropped about 12 percent from March 2002 to March 2003, from 11,055 to 9,690, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
A major reason appears to be the five-year limit on welfare assistance, said Patricia Murakami, administrator of the state Human Services department's Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division.
Murakami said 1,031 families reached their five-year limit during that period and were no longer eligible for welfare. She also said applications had fallen slightly and more people were leaving than coming in.
"Perhaps it is getting better. Perhaps our families are better able to make it," Murakami said. "But I cannot disregard the fact that many families did hit the five-year limit. ... I think some families are doing OK — and I don't doubt that there may be some who aren't doing so OK."
