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DryRain

(237 posts)
11. Where did you get your figures for 19,000 welfare recipients?
Wed Jan 16, 2013, 11:13 AM
Jan 2013

The latest figures I can find on total number of welfare recipient families in Massachusetts is about 71,200

This number from the US Census, 2010, represents about 2.7% of the Mass population that is on cash assistance income (wefare).

http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=bkmk

That's about 2.7 people on welfare in Massachusetts for every 100 people, If 25- 30% of recipients were not legitimate, we would have a tremendous problem here.

Welfare rules clearly state that if a payment is made to a recipient and the recipient does not comply with any iquiry as to their work and financial status, every quarter, or more often as needs may dictate, (moving, birth of child, etc.) the payments will stop! Daycare recipient parents must also check in quarterly, and day care centers must report attendance for each day of the month per child in order to be reimbursed.

Also, $300 a month is a rather minimal payment, perhaps to a parent with one child; (plus food stamps, medicaid, etc). Families with several children recieve more. Figures from the same link, (above) indicate the average amount of assistance per family is $4700 a year, or about $390 a month.

Often, payments made in error are returned, or simply re-claimed from banks, if made to a recipient's bank account by direct deposit. Welfare recipients committing outright fraud can be persecuted and jailed if convicted.

I can understand the 19,000 mistaken payments for total number of payments over a period of one year, including mistaken payments for day care, food stamps, etc., (which would be an error rate well under 1% per year for over 2 million payments to recipients, vendors of day care, etc.), but 19,000 a month, continuously over several months is frankly hard to believe.

Of course, in order to audit and double check payments to proper recipients, state welfare workers need proper caseloads, proper training in how to spot fraud, and proper staff supervision, computer checks, etc., all of which costs money.


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New taxes for Mass taxpayers? [View all] DryRain Jan 2013 OP
I hope not. TheCowsCameHome Jan 2013 #1
New roads and mass transit, school and colleges need money. Taxes pay for good things graham4anything Jan 2013 #2
Sometimes 4Q2u2 Jan 2013 #8
CALIFORNIA'S 0.25% FOUR YEAR TAX INCREASE ROBROX Jan 2013 #21
.41% bunnies Jan 2013 #3
Not Proportionate 4Q2u2 Jan 2013 #4
I'm wondering about that, too! As a senior... DryRain Jan 2013 #5
That will not work 4Q2u2 Jan 2013 #6
Yeah, I was half kidding. Cutting down on driving is a better option DryRain Jan 2013 #7
Cutting down on driving isn't always an option Blaukraut Jan 2013 #9
Unknown Cost 4Q2u2 Jan 2013 #10
Where did you get your figures for 19,000 welfare recipients? DryRain Jan 2013 #11
A funny thing happened on the way to the Election 4Q2u2 Jan 2013 #12
You are mixing apples and oranges. We need to know: DryRain Jan 2013 #13
It was not my job 4Q2u2 Jan 2013 #15
I hope you consider it your "job" to get the facts right. DryRain Jan 2013 #16
You missed my point 4Q2u2 Jan 2013 #17
You had a point? DryRain Jan 2013 #19
? 4Q2u2 Jan 2013 #25
Cannot afford mistakes? DryRain Jan 2013 #14
Why do you Infer the Worst in People 4Q2u2 Jan 2013 #18
I don't "infer"! I rely upon facts you skillfully avoid DryRain Jan 2013 #20
Never said Such 4Q2u2 Jan 2013 #22
So that nineteen thousand figure had to do with that DryRain Jan 2013 #23
That implies Nothing 4Q2u2 Jan 2013 #24
It's worth it flyingfysh Jan 2013 #26
Massachusetts is a funny small state with lots of value DryRain Jan 2013 #27
I understand it is income tax up (by a percent) and sales tax down? MADem Jan 2013 #28
Income tax up by .75% but individual deductions doubled. Sales tax down 1% or so Blaukraut Jan 2013 #29
Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Massachusetts»New taxes for Mass taxpay...»Reply #11