Who needs welfare?

Tuesday, April 8, 2008 | 2:06 a.m.

To meet projected budget cuts, state officials are considering a major reduction in welfare benefits and food stamps for the poor.

As Timothy Pratt reported in Sunday’s Las Vegas Sun, the possible reductions come in reaction to the economic downturn. As the economy stumbles, more people are seeking welfare benefits. There has been a 25 percent increase in welfare caseloads over the past year and a 15 percent increase in food stamp caseloads.

At the same time, both the state and federal governments are cutting back as tax revenues slump, which is putting a squeeze on welfare budgets.

Officials say they want to make sure help is offered to those who “are genuinely seeking to become self-sufficient,” which is the right goal. Unfortunately, though, the reality seems to be that the state simply wants to pare down the welfare rolls.

For example, one of the ideas being floated is to reduce or revoke assistance to people who have children after they start receiving welfare.

In addition, officials are considering cutting aid to families that don’t fulfill “personal responsibility plans.” For instance, an entire family could be stripped of its benefits if the head of household doesn’t look for a job. Now, only the head of household loses benefits and the rest of the family retains its assistance.

If the philosophy of the system is really to move people toward self-sufficiency, this is not the way to do it.

With the economy faltering, the state should be doing all it can to help people get back on their feet. Cutting more people off from aid in a faltering economy will only exacerbate the problem and deepen the cycle of poverty. Considering the terrible effects of poverty on our community, these plans spell trouble not just for the aid recipients but for us all.