Making Welfare Work

To the Editor:

If income is the major determinant of family stability ("Gains Reported for Children of Welfare-to-Work Families," news article, Jan. 23), then a key element in successful public policy would be income supplements to help keep recipients out of poverty.

Politicians proudly credit themselves for reduced welfare rolls. Yet welfare reform will truly be successful only when all low-income workers are able to make ends meet -- not barely survive until the next economic downturn.

Some states already provide phased cash assistance while an individual attempts the transition from welfare to work. More needs to be done, including a restructuring of the earned income tax credit with a longer phase-out period.

Frederick S. Gurzeler
White Plains, NY
The writer is a research assistant, Institute for SocioEconomic Studies