Trends in Noncitizens' and Citizens' Use of Public Benefits Following Welfare Reform: 1994-97
Author: Fix, Michael
Date Published: 1999
With the enactment of the 1996 welfare reform act, Congress imposed broad new restrictions on legal immigrants' access to public benefits, set new time limits on refugees' eligibility for many federal benefits, and introduced new bars on the access of unqualified immigrants to services. Welfare reform was sandwiched among these changes and the chilling effects of this change may discourage immigrants from using health, nutrition, or other types of subsidies even though they may remain eligible for these services. The article examines why eligible workers may not use the subsidies even if families find themselves in need of basic necessities.
Date Published: 1999
With the enactment of the 1996 welfare reform act, Congress imposed broad new restrictions on legal immigrants' access to public benefits, set new time limits on refugees' eligibility for many federal benefits, and introduced new bars on the access of unqualified immigrants to services. Welfare reform was sandwiched among these changes and the chilling effects of this change may discourage immigrants from using health, nutrition, or other types of subsidies even though they may remain eligible for these services. The article examines why eligible workers may not use the subsidies even if families find themselves in need of basic necessities.
