The reforms were meant to encourage people to work their way out of welfare: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welfare-to-work

This reflects that:

"Jahleel's mom wants him to do well in school. That is absolutely clear. But her livelihood depends on Jahleel struggling in school. This tension only increases as kids get older. One mother told me her teenage son wanted to work, but she didn't want him to get a job because if he did, the family would lose its disability check."