Authors: Jason Azmier and Robert Roach
The dramatic drop in the number of people on welfare in Alberta that began in 1993 – the same year that significant changes to the welfare program were announced – begs two questions: “Where are they now?” and “How are they doing?” In order to answer these questions, Alberta Family and Social Services (AFSS) requested proposals outlining ways to examine the impact of welfare reform on former recipients.
Results of the survey showed that many welfare recipients live and function on the edge of the labour market. They are likely to go on welfare when faced with unemployment. They are also likely, however, to leave welfare because they are able to find work. With access to good jobs, welfare recipients would rather work than receive benefits.
Alberta’s Department of Family and Social Services has taken its philosophy of “active support” seriously. One-third of respondents interviewed for this study have taken part in some form of job training since 1993.
Achievement of these goals, however, does not mean that all former welfare recipients are faring well, or that those who live independent of welfare have a good standard of living. Most respondents earn far less than the average Albertan. Many respondents have had difficulty meeting their basic needs at least once since leaving welfare and one-third of those back on assistance report difficulty meeting their basic needs “all the time.”
Welfare Reform in Alberta surveys former recipients of the program to determine if they have positively increased their financial and psychological well-being and obtained self-sufficiency compared with those that have returned to welfare.