wfn.org | UCC General Synod calls for remedies to welfare system

[George Conklin <gconklin@wfn.org>]

United Church of Christ
Office of Communication
700 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115
contact: Barbara Powell
phone: 216-736-2222
email: powellb@ucc.org
http://www.ucc.org

PROVIDENCE, RI - July 6 1999 - 
Synod calls for remedies to welfare reform
        The General Synod of the United Church of Christ today pushed for
remedies to fix serious flaws in the 1996 welfare reform legislation.
        While acknowledging some benefits of the Personal Responsibility and
Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, the 740plus delegates also noted increased
burdens placed on several agencies and increased suffering among certain
persons receiving public assistance.
        Among the suggestions for improvement, the delegates urged an
improvement in welfare assistance formulas so employment income does not
drastically offset public benefits, an improvement in child care and
transportation support, and an increase in the federal and state earned income
tax credit.
        Since passage of the legislation three years ago, a variety of public,
private, religious and not-for-profit groups have stepped up their efforts to
serve those affected by welfare reform legislation. Their services, however,
has not kept pace with the increased need. According to the General Synod
resolution, the Second Harvest reports that 21 million persons per week receive
food through food banks and soup kitchens. In addition, the "welfare to work"
component is not always successful as "fewer than 24 percent" of workers who
move from welfare to work receive "a level of pay sufficient to raise them
above the poverty line for a family of three, and 56 percent are receiving
incomes less than three-fourths of the poverty line."
        Previous General Synods have also passed resolutions supporting
"economic justice,"  including five General Synods which supported improvements
in the provision of welfare.