The Importance of Relationships: Interviews with Welfare Clients After Welfare Reform

With the implementation of welfare reform, welfare clients were faced with a ticking clock before they lost their cash assistance. During this time, welfare caseworkers worked closely with clients to help prepare them for the future and to gain self-sufficiency. The relationship between welfare caseworkers and welfare clients was instrumental in helping ensure success. With newfound forms of discretionary funds, caseworkers had the ability to individualize plans for clients which ultimately brought the notion of discretion into the equation. This article draws upon in-depth interviews with welfare clients to better understand the significance of the relationship between caseworker and client.