How long can you stay on welfare?

Answer 1

Some people have corrupted this system and stayed on it indefinitely. This system is and should be used only for as long as you need it. Unknown.

The above is not true. With the passage of Welfare Reform under the Clinton Administration, there is a time limit as to how long someone can stay on welfare, and it can vary from state to state depending on circumstances. It is a myth that healthy people can stay on for life or from generation to generation. Welfare is administrered by the states using federal dollars. Many/Most states have work programs for the undereducated and unemployable, teaching the skills, occupations, interview techniques, resume creation, dressing and grooming.

Welfare should not be confused with Social Security disability, which is an entirely different program that a worker would have paid into, and must have worked a certain amount of time in order to be eligible.

Thank goodness someone knew the fact that Welfare Reform was instituted in the Clinton administration. Typically, 5 years lifetime is the limit to collect welfare.

Social Security has two systems available for people who cannot work. One is Social Security Disability which is based on the number of quarters one has worked before a disability occurs. One can ONLY be allowed to collect disability (SSDI) if one has a permanent and total disability that prevents any ability to work in the competitive marketplace.

The alternative program, for people who do not have enough quarters to provide a minimum income (about $800 a month) is Social Security Income or SSI. Often times people who suffer from severe mental illness and have never worked, or people who have suffered from a catastrophic medical event and have worked few quarters are eligible for SSI. Like Disability, you can collect throughout your lifetime.

Both SSDI and SSI patients are required to be examined periodically in order to assess continued disability.