Isn’t the Self-Sufficiency Standard Unrealistic for Most Welfare Recipients Entering Employment?
No, the Self-Sufficiency Standard sets a goal for welfare recipients. Achieving self-sufficiency is a process that involves not just finding a job with certain wages and benefits, but achieving income security over time. There are several ways-separately or in combination-that welfare recipients can achieve self-sufficiency. First, they can receive temporary subsidies until either their wages increase, or as is the case for child care, their needs decrease. (By definition, preschool children will “age out” of need for full-time care in just a few years.) Second, they can obtain training and/or education that will prepare them for high-wage jobs. Third, they can combine low-wage jobs with self-employment initiatives.
