DSS Seeks to Double Welfare Families Finding Jobs

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) The director of South Carolina’s social services agency expects to double the number of welfare recipients who trade a government check for a paycheck. Director Lillian Koller said Wednesday she wants staff to help 10,120 families by June 30 find jobs that take them off welfare rolls. That’s up from 5,060 cases closed between September 2009 and June 2010 because their incomes increased. It’s a bold goal for a state with the fourth-highest unemployment rate. But Koller insists it’s doable in what she calls commonsense baby steps. Each of 150 case managers must ensure five clients a week apply for a job, and one person has an interview. Others must find at least one unadvertised job per week. In July, 18,712 South Carolina families were receiving welfare checks.