Nevada welfare caseload drops by 46 percent

State welfare chief Myla Florence told legislative budget committees Wednesday that the number of people getting cash assistance has fallen to 22,759 people, down from the peak of 42,703.

"This is remarkable, indeed," said Florence about the drop. "Overall, it has been reflective of this robust economy."

In the coming two years, Florence expects additional reductions of 9.6 percent and 4.5 percent in the number of people getting help under the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program.

Some of the drop will be caused by welfare reform laws that limit recipients to 24 consecutive months of cash benefits. Starting in January 2000, the first group of people could be dropped off the rolls.

But in a presentation to members of the Senate Finance Committee and the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, Florence outlined her agency's efforts to find jobs, training and child care for potential workers.

"We don't want them to drop off this cliff," she said.

In addition to the welfare caseload drop, the number of people getting food stamps has fallen by 41 percent since 1995, dropping to about 70,000. But the number of Nevadans getting free health care under the Medicaid program has remained fairly consistent at about 100,000. The program provides medical care to the poor, elderly and disabled.

Florence said the Medicaid caseload has remained high because of an increase in the population of elderly and disabled people.

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