Contrasting social welfare models of welfare vs. workfare is one way to examine the different views on need-based care for individuals and families in the United States. Welfare is a system of assistance that requires nothing or very little back from the recipient. Workfare is tied more into work, whether through training or direct employment. The idea behind workfare is that the recipient of the social benefits directly contributes the same to the state in either time or taxes.

Benefits
Many taxpayers see that the idea of millions dependent on welfare alone is extremely draining on the economy and on particular areas of the federal government. Workfare would require able-bodied qualifying applicants to do work or attend training for a new career. Statistics back up the fact that many people who start on public assistance see an average of 11 years on welfare. With workfare, the applicant can return to school, get a degree or learn a trade, which may shorten the time the applicant spends on welfare.

Controversy
Among the controversies surrounding welfare vs. workfare is the idea that participants will be employed in only menial, low-paying jobs, creating a lower class of worker surrounded by stigma and stereotypes. Another reason that opponents do not like workfare programs is that it assumes that every applicant is an abuser of the welfare system until proven otherwise. Other complaints about a workfare program include mandatory training in career areas that may not meet what vacancies are in the area at that time.

Welfare Reform
Welfare reform is a high priority whether you support welfare vs. workfare. While there are numerous stories of people abusing the system and “welfare mothers” who have children so their benefits will increase, supporters of the traditional welfare system believe that the welfare system can be improved in other ways without resorting to a full workfare system.

Workfare Today
Several states require some kind of workfare already from eligible welfare recipients. These active models are being studied by other developers and leaders to determine whether or not these statewide models can be adapted into federal policy or at least provide templates for further analysis and improvement.