A Tattered Net: Work First Provides Little Help to Low-Income Families, Local Economies

By John Quinterno
Research Associate, Budget & Tax Center
June 10, 2009

Designed at a time when jobs were plentiful, the Work First program is proving unable to
alleviate the severe family hardships caused by a recession marked by widespread job loss.
Since December 2007, the number of persons in families receiving cash assistance actually
has declined by 5.7%. Similarly, the cash grants have generated a modest statewide
economic impact of $159.4 million.