Published May 1965 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
From the Office of United States Senator Robert C. Byrd Room 342, Old Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510 Volume V – Number 22 May 28, 1965 Byrd's Eye View A Public Service Column by Senator Robert C. Byrd Welfare Problems in the District of Columbia In 1961, a special investigation was made of welfare caseloads in the District of Columbia, which resulted in findings of high ineligibility. For example, 59% of ADC cases were not eligible; 58% of general public assistance cases were ineligible; and 39% of the permanently and totally disabled cases were not eligible. Moreover, among those found to be eligible, over-payments were being made in 20% of the cases. It was evident that millions of dollars annually were being paid in the form of welfare checks to recipients who did not qualify for such checks. In the light of these findings, it is believed that similar situations exist in large cities throughout the country. Upon the recommendation of the Comptroller General of the United States, based on the “findings” growing out of this investigation, the Congress appropriated moneys for additional investigators, and several thousand persons have been removed from the case loads in Washington, D. C. Welfare checks serve a good purpose when they are paid to recipients who qualify under the regulations, but the basic purpose in appropriating moneys for welfare programs should be to rehabilitate those individuals who are capable of employment and who are willing to work, and to provide assistance for persons who are incapacitated. But it was never the intention of Congress to encourage 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation welfare families. Welfare should not become a way of life, as evidence indicates it has become for many. Over, the past 10 years, the population of the United States has increased 18%, but the number of welfare recipients has gone up 42%. There is no ceiling on welfare payments in the District of Columbia, and the D. C. Welfare Department spent $34 million last year to help Washington's needy. There are families who are receiving v monthly checks totaling over $400. In the recent past, the amounts in some instances have exceeded $500. In addition thereto, these families can receive surplus commodities valued up to $71. By contrast, in West Virginia, welfare recipients receive quite different treatment. There is a ceiling of $165 monthly placed on such assistance. Welfare programs in the District of Columbia have contributed to the in-migration of undesirable elements and have apparently encouraged illegitimacy. Of 15,368 children in the ADC category in January 1965, in Washington, 6,274 (or 40%) were illegitimate children. A study of welfare records shows one group of 13 mothers with l30 illegitimate children, all on welfare; a group of 14 mothers with 126 illegitimate children, all on welfare; a group of 13 mothers with l44 illegitimate children, all on welfare; and another group of 41 mothers with 287 illegitimate children, all on welfare; and another group of 170 mothers with 350 illegitimate children, all on welfare. In view of the District of Columbia's rising rates of crime, juvenile delinquency, venereal disease, and illegitimacy, it would appear that appropriations of Federal funds would more properly be expended in cleaning up welfare caseloads, providing for training and rehabilitation of welfare recipients, adding child welfare personnel, increasing law enforcement activities, and importantly, providing for expanded education. -30-