On March 5, 2025, Republican leaders in North Carolina introduced a controversial welfare reform bill designed to overhaul the state’s approach to public assistance. Spearheaded by Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-NC), the bill aims to impose stricter work requirements for recipients of welfare benefits, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Medicaid, with the goal of addressing persistent joblessness and reducing dependency on government aid.
The proposal includes measures that would require welfare recipients to participate in job training, work search programs, or part-time employment to remain eligible for benefits. It also introduces a time limit for receiving assistance, with certain exceptions for individuals with disabilities or children under the age of 5. Supporters, including Berger, argue that the reforms are necessary to reduce North Carolina’s growing dependence on federal welfare programs and encourage self-sufficiency. “Our goal is to give people the tools they need to succeed in the workforce and reduce the reliance on government assistance,” said Berger in a statement to the press.
Opponents, however, have expressed concern that these changes could hurt vulnerable populations who face barriers to employment, such as a lack of childcare, transportation, or education. Governor Roy Cooper (D-NC) voiced his opposition to the bill, stating that it could leave many struggling North Carolinians without the support they need to survive. “We need to invest in programs that empower families, not punish them for circumstances they can’t control,” Cooper said. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has echoed these concerns, noting that the bill could lead to increased poverty rates, particularly in rural areas where job opportunities are limited.
Polling data from a recent survey conducted by the North Carolina Public Policy Institute reveals a divided public. While 57% of respondents support the concept of requiring work for welfare benefits, 42% oppose the bill, arguing that it could hurt families in need. Many Democrats and social welfare advocates have criticized the proposal as short-sighted, warning that it could exacerbate poverty and economic inequality.
In the media, the bill has drawn mixed responses. Conservative outlets have framed the reform as a necessary step to reduce government spending and encourage work, while liberal commentators have raised alarms about the potential negative consequences for low-income families. As the bill moves through the state legislature, it will likely become a key point of contention between Republican and Democratic lawmakers, with each side offering competing visions of what constitutes a fair and effective welfare system.
