The protest marked the first anniversary of a massive overhaul of the American welfare system. One year after national welfare reform went into effect, about 100 people -- including about 10 University students -- rallied yesterday morning in front of the state office building in Center City to protest what they called a misguided policy that comes down too harshly on the poor. The protesters claimed the state program, known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, unfairly puts a five-year limit on welfare benefits including cash assistance, medical aid and food stamps. The policy hurts poor Pennsylvanians, cuts benefits to immigrants and limits educational opportunities, the protesters charged. But officials from the state's welfare department stressed that the new policy helps poor people get off welfare, requiring them to find work after two years of receiving benefits. The program also gives welfare recipients the opportunity to pursue education while working. Protester Wendy Heller, however, said she doubts the efficacy of the reform, noting that finding a job is hardly an easy feat to accomplish. "[Legislators] just put this policy into effect, and they have no clue how it's going to actually play out," said Heller, a College and Wharton senior. The Kensington Welfare Rights Union, an organization of poor and homeless families that has been active in fighting against the welfare changes, organized the rally. From the state office at Broad and Spring Garden streets -- where ralliers marched with signs and religious leaders led prayers for homeless people -- the protesters marched to the unemployment compensation office on 13th and Fairmount streets. Once there, the protesters filled out employment applications and held a banner reading "Freedom from Unemployment, Hunger and Homelessness." According to KWRU organizer Amy Miller, 57,000 Philadelphia residents will be kicked off welfare this year. But Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell predicts an influx of only 10,000 new jobs -- causing a situation that may render thousands of city dwellers homeless, Miller said. "We think people should definitely work, but they need to be sure they can find work and at a living wage," she said. "But I don't think the city of Philadelphia is prepared or even able to provide enough jobs." Miller said City Council members and Rendell's administration were invited to attend the rally, but none of the city's political dignitaries made an appearance. State welfare department spokesperson Jay Pagni stressed that "welfare reform is a system that is set up to support an individual on the road to self-sufficiency." Prior to the implementation of TANF, the old welfare system -- entitled Aid to Families with Dependent Children -- enabled recipients to stay on the system indefinitely, while "TANF empowers someone to leave the system," Pagni said. Under TANF, 50 percent of a recipient's employment earnings is disregarded when calculating his benefits, thereby earning him or her more assistance. And total monthly benefits increase from $987 to $1,492 when the family moves from full welfare to 20 hours per week employment at minimum wage. When an individual earns $1,160 per month, he or she becomes ineligible for TANF but can receive transitional child care and medical coverage for one year. Welfare reform, signed into law by President Clinton in 1996, has been one of the most controversial issues in recent years. The new program generally allows states to craft their own approaches to helping the poor.
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