What does the 1996 Welfare Reform primarily focus on?

The 1996 Welfare Reform primarily focuses on transferring welfare programs to states, which marked a significant change in how welfare was administered in the United States. This legislation aimed to give states more control over welfare programs, allowing them to design their own systems for providing support to low-income individuals and families. By transferring the responsibility from the federal government to the states, the reform encouraged states to innovate and tailor programs to better meet the needs of their communities.

This shift also included the introduction of work requirements for welfare recipients, emphasizing personal responsibility and the transition from welfare to work. The intention was to reduce dependency on welfare and promote self-sufficiency. As such, the reform aimed to empower states with the flexibility to implement their policies while still receiving federal funding to support their efforts. This decentralized approach was a significant departure from previous welfare practices that were more federal-centric.