The problem with welfare caseworkers

Can they fix the safety net? Maybe. But they're ridiculously expensive.

There simply is not enough money to provide personalized welfare services.
(Image credit: Ikon Images / Alamy Stock Photo)

This week was the 20th anniversary of welfare reform. And Republicans — led by House Speaker Paul Ryan — have argued for a broader remaking of the nation's safety net along similar lines.

There are a lot of moving parts to this debate. But one interesting corner is what it's like for less fortunate Americans to interact with the safety net on a day-to-day level. Put simply: It can often be a byzantine and dehumanizing experience.

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Jeff Spross

Jeff Spross was the economics and business correspondent at TheWeek.com. He was previously a reporter at ThinkProgress.