Ohio Welfare Caseload Grows

Statistics show that the Ohio welfare rolls increased in October for the first time since the state started cracking down on job and work-training requirements. More than 100,000 people have been shed from the tax-funded program since January 2011. Many left or were kicked off as the state cracked down on federal requirements that most adult recipients spend 30 hours a week working, looking for a job, going to school or training for employment. But the caseload inched up in October to 130,349 - an increase of 880 from the previous month. That ended 20 consecutive months of declines in the numbers. Joel Potts, executive director of the Ohio Job and Family Services Directors' Association, says it's now "a true temporary-assistance program."