Former West Virginia welfare recipients struggling, study says

Only one of every four former West Virginia welfare recipients whose benefits have run out because of a five-year limit have been able to get a job. And more than half those who are working have only been able to find part-time work, according to a study prepared by West Virginia University researchers and presented Sunday to lawmakers during interim meetings.

The average ex-welfare family earned $6,120 last year – only one-third the poverty level for a family of four. They were twice as likely to have been evicted from their homes, run out of food or had their utilities cut off since they were kicked out of West Virginia Works, the state’s cash assistance program.

That’s in the bible, right? Let those who are poor struggle and remain in poverty, becuase that’s what they get for living in an area with high unemployment.

One-third said that they couldn’t find work because they had no transportation, or weren’t educated enough, or that there were no jobs where they lived. One in four had no driver’s license.

As far as the transportation goes, I highly recommend Mountaineer Good News Garage. They accept cars that are working and in decent shape, but don’t have to be in perfect shape, since they have volunteer mechanics who can fix minor problems.

And while I’m thinking about it, Christian Help is a United Way agency. Just something to consider when you receive your papers for the United Way campaign.

And Morgantown has lots of blood drives right now. There’s a blood shortage, so donate if you can.

Just some thoughts if you’re interested in helping out.