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Wednesday, December 24,1980

The Herald and The Lantern

Page 27

/) sirs£ounei( \ . • • . • Welfare—Facts vs. Myths

WASHINGTON, D C. - Some of the most commonly held beliefs about welfare are totally untrue, according to information released by the National Assfi. of Social Workers. Noting that the yuletide is the season for giving and helping those who are less fortunate, Chauncey Alexander, executive directorof NASW, pointed out that several "myths" are being prcpetuated about the welfare system which need correcting: MYTH 4: People are poor because they don’t work and don't want to work. FACT: More than 70 per cent of all those receiving benefits from the AFDC (Aid to Families With Dependent Children) program—the largest assistance program—are children. Nearly two-thirds of thosfc children are under twelve. Therefore, child labor laws would have to be repealed to put the largest percentage of those receiving assistance to work. Of the remaining 30 per cent, 26.2 per cent are mothers. Only 2.4 per cent even resemble the mythical welfare stereotype—non-aged, non-disabled males who do not work. MYTH 2: Most of the poor in this country remain poor all their lives. FACT: The average AFDC family receive assistance less than two years.

MYTH 3: The poor are mostly black and other non-whites. FACT: 69 per cent of the American poor are white. MYTH 4: Poor don’t know how to spend their money. FACT: Low income people spend a somewhat greater proportion-about 80 per cent— of their income on food, clothing, housing, medical care, and transportation than do people with higher incomes. MYTH 5: Many welfare families receive payments that are too high. FACT: In 24 states, the combined benefits of AFDC and Food Stamps total less than three-fourths of the official poverty income level which is currently t7,450 for a non-farm family of four. In fact, in the State of Mississippi, AFDC benefits total $120 a month for a family of four; in Texas, the amount is $146; and in New York City, where welfare critics claim payments are unduly generous, maximum AFDC payments have not increased one cent since 1975 despite a 56 per cent increase in the cost of living. NASW is the largest national organization representing professional social workers, with a membership of 85.000.

Tips On Yuletide Safety

As you plan ahead for this year’s^ Christmas holiday, remember that all it takes is faulty wiring, a spark from a crackling fireplace, and a dried-up Christmas tree to turn a holiday home into a blazing holiday statistic, says the New Jersey State Safety Council. To avoid a holiday tragedy, the council strongly urges that an adult in each family make a pre-holiday check of safety practices in the game to reduce the chance of accidents and injuries. THE COUNCIL HAS also offered the following tips to insure a bright and enjoyable holiday season Lighted candles and electric Christmas tree lights are potential fire hazards. HomeowTiers should inspect the string of lights for possible frayed wires, crimped wires that could lead to short-circuits, or defective sockets that could create special electrical problems of their own While lighted candles lend special effects to the holiday season, they should never be placed on the tree or near any evergreen boughs. They should only be in

glass containers designed for candle illumination. 1 HOLIDAY DECORATIONS that are non-combustible or flame-resistant are a good investment for accident prevention. The do-it-yourself trend for decprations and craft items allows decorators to use materials that are flame resistant when making ornaments for display or for gifts Because gift wrappings, boxes, cartons and packing materials bum very fast and generate high heat, they should never be burned in the fireplace. CONSUMERS TEND to allow the overloading of extension cords and the scattering of cords on the floor during the holiday season because it is a temporary condition. It is safer to avoid these practices. even temporarily. Never overload an electrical circuit and never leave extension cords out where someone can trip over them. Finally, the council suggests that two good ChristmM gifts for the entire family are a smoke'detector and a fire extinguisher

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