The phantom population: a study of general relief rejectees of the Cuyahoga County Welfare Department

Abstract

Employable adults without children who applied and were rejected for general relief by the Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Welfare Department were studied. In all, 571 persons who were rejected between January and April 1974 were identified; 113 were interviewed. Among the findings were the following: 1) Rejectees were likely to be under 45, male, high school educated, black, unattached, long-term residents, concentrated in Cleveland's central city, and first-time applicants. (2) They had little knowledge about community resources aside from the welfare department. (3) They were likely to have been employed full time before applying for general relief. After denial, most respondents attempted to find jobs; about one-fifth did. (4) Rejectees managed to live mainly by relying on friends and relatives and some type of work. One-fifth admitted turning to illegal activities. Need--not paternity or maternity alone--should be the basis for receiving public assistance; current county policy should be altered so that single adults and childless couples can be eligible for general relief. (Author abstract, edited)