| Description |
The Utah AFDC-U rolls nearly doubled in 1980. A survey of the recipients that autumn seemed to indicate that seven out of ten recipients would either work or get help from family or church if the program was ended. The financial strain on the state persuaded the Legislature to terminate this optional program. Later evaluation reported that those affected by the termination were generally meeting their basic needs. However, this evaluation only considered former recipients, most of whom would have been off the program by that time anyway. The evaluation made no attempt to investigate the situation of those who would have begun participation after the program had ended. Those were the ones who were most affected by the termination. The termination ended a 45-year policy of aid to the unemployed with dependent children in Utah, ironically after most of the problems of the program had been worked out. The termination is evidence of a change in the public's perception of welfare. Most welfare programs began in the 1930s when it was generally recognized that many individuals had a valid need for public assistance. The extension of Federal participation in aid to unemployed was made during a time of affluence and concern for the less-fortunate. Attention turned to the short-comings and abuses of welfare in the 1960s and 1970s. Though many problems were resolved, welfare's problem-ridden reputation persisted. When the Utah Legislature faced increasing expenses and restricted revenue, the optional AFC-U was the logical victim of the budget cut. |
