Facts about Nevada's welfare situation

ADVOCATES' REQUEST: Raise the basic welfare grant of $348 for a family of three to nearly $500 in the first such increase since 1991.

WELFARE COUNT: Less than 17,000 recipients now, down from a high of 42,000 prior to 1996 congressional reforms. This number should decrease more as people use up their eligibility starting in January.

GRANT PAYMENTS: Current Nevada welfare grant payments total $27.6 million, down from about $50 million. Next year, figure could drop to less than $23 million.

ANCILLARY SERVICES, 1996-1999: Child care program payments rose from $3.3 million to $18.7 million; welfare-to-work programs from nothing to $1.1 million; contracts with various non-profits from zero to nearly $2 million.

SURPLUS: Now about $10 million, nearly $18 million by mid-2000; nearly $25 million by mid-2002.

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