Florida's Mandatory Drug Tests for Welfare Recipients Finds Few Fails, Saves Little Money

Florida Governor Rick Scott’s plan to test all welfare recipients to see if they are using drugs before they can receive payments is hardly saving the state any money, according to recent reports.

Of the roughly 1000 welfare applicants who have gone through testing so far, only about 2 percent — roughly 20 recipients — did not pass. At $30 per test, the state paid $28,800 in drug test reimbursements (960 reimbursements at $30 each, since about 2 percent also didn’t finish the application process) for those who did pass, while saving themselves about $66,000 in payments that did not have to be made for the year to those applicants that didn’t make it through for one reason or another (applicants receive $138 a month, or $1656 per year).

Tampa Bay Online breaks down the numbers even further.

Cost of the tests averages about $30. Assuming that 1,000 to 1,500 applicants take the test every month, the state will owe about $28,800-$43,200 monthly in reimbursements to those who test drug-free.

That compares with roughly $32,200-$48,200 the state may save on one month’s worth of rejected applicants.

The savings assume that 20 to 30 people — 2 percent of 1,000 to 1,500 tested — fail the drug test every month. On average, a welfare recipient costs the state $134 in monthly benefits, which the rejected applicants won’t get, saving the state $2,680-$3,350 per month.

But since one failed test disqualifies an applicant for a full year’s worth of benefits, the state could save $32,200-$48,200 annually on the applicants rejected in a single month.

Net savings to the state — $3,400 to $8,200 annually on one month’s worth of rejected applicants. Over 12 months, the money saved on all rejected applicants would add up to $40,800-$98,400 for the cash assistance program that state analysts have predicted will cost $178 million this fiscal year.

In other words, in one year, the program will likely at most save the state 0.06 percent of the overall welfare budget.

Scott’s argument behind fighting for the new law was that welfare recipients are much more likely to be using drugs than the general population, and this test ensures that tax dollars go only to people who are using the assistance for the the right reasons, rather than spending it on potential addictions. Instead, he has proven that the population of welfare recipients has a much lower rate of drug use than the rest of the population — just 2-4 percent, compared the the general 8 percent statewide.

But the governor did manage to prove one thing beyond a shadow of a doubt — that his stereotype of the every day person on welfare doesn’t in any way match a real life person seeking aid.

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Read more: drug testing, florida, rick scott, welfare

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Eternal G.

6:57PM PDT on Sep 25, 2011

Nuts.

send a green star

Annmari L.

2:05AM PDT on Sep 21, 2011

Working as a truck driver and a bus driver I've been tested every time I've applied for any of these jobs. No problem. It has to do with public safety.
Welfare applicants should not only be drug tested, they should also have to apply for jobs while receiving public money. Show they actually want to get away from the welfare system and into a job that will provide for them an their families. I don't get why the drug tests have to be so expensive. There has to be more inexpensive alternatives?

Mz B.

1:10PM PDT on Sep 18, 2011

It still just seems pointless to me because of the small small percentage who failed they had to pay for there own test, however others will be reimbursed that is the extra money I'm talking about we/America cannot afford it!!! the 1980 people who passed the drug test will be reimbursed $59400.00 and the 20 who failed had to pay a whole $600.00 to government and yes they were denied.

I mean no disrespect either. I just know that I wouldn't want to be drug tested and feel distrusted at my word if I say I need help. I wouldn't take no drug test, I shouldn't have to!

people who have had cps called on them over and over should be looked in to more than random people chances are if they are neglecting or abusing their kids, then they are probably using drugs. I mean that's where I'd start!

I'll leave this at that till someone posts something that gets my goat again lol :)

Michelle K.

1:00PM PDT on Sep 18, 2011

William Y., I have been Drug-Tested for jobs too, had no problem with the prospect, I'm all for Safety precautions being taken for all involved. The Only applicants charged for the tests are the ones who fail it. I have worked for several places who also charged the person being tested for the testing if they failed it! That's only right, the average person applying for anything {Job to Welfare} knows if they have any drugs in thier system & if they read through The paper work before signing it they wil know if they fail the test they will be paying for it. Simple point why waste your own time or anyone elses if you know chances are you are going to test positive? I smoke cigarettes, I can't expect someone else to pay for them, so why should the random Welfare recipient that I am already helping provide livelihood for expect me to be happy about the prospect of paying for drugs for them. MOST OF US ARE TAUGHT FROM AN EARLY AGE, IT'S NON-NEGOTIABLE TO HAVE A HABIT YOU CANNOT SUPPORT FOR YOURSELF!!!

12:55PM PDT on Sep 18, 2011

All I can say is if you have heard numerous stories of where and how people abuse the system by all means REPORT THEM! I have had so many people say I know this person and that person or several family members who know where to go to use there food stamps to buy drugs

REPORT THEM STOP TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT IT, STOP CONDONING IT & REPORT IT!!!

12:26PM PDT on Sep 18, 2011

Thank YOU, so VERY MUCH, Robby C., I presently reside in the ATL Metro area after having lived in N. C. where I had the sickening experience of having some Welfare recipients proudly explain to me the NUMEROUS ways they have of CHEATING the system, {rather USING THE HELL OUT OF THOSE OF US WHO ARE WILLING TO WORK!!!!!}. I also think/know/& see that it seems to be perfectly acceptable for ILLEGAL Aliens {giving them Immigrant status, implies that they have availed themselves of the proper means to be in the country}, to be here & receive benefits from the hard work of CITIZENS, who would NOT willingly SUPPORT them!!! I for one would NOT!!!!! As far as the familial protections that the Govt. is now considering affording these Aliens by virtue of sneaking over here & having kids, I say, "We have more than enough B.S. laws & regulations in place to assist illegal actions here already!" "HOW ABOUT YOU GO BACK TO THE DRAWING-BOARD & COME UP WITH A PLAN THAT DOES NOT FURTHER DEPLETE THE QUALITY OF LIFE, MY FAMILY CAN HAVE!!!!!!!!!!" My children are born & raised U.S. CITIZENS, my younger Daughter wants to attend college, Who in the hell is pushing/pulling/trading/negotiating/or sacrificing to make sure she can become an Attorney? Don't worry I'll wait for a reply!!! I raised my Daughters as a Single/WORKING-Parent, the Govt. wasn't & isn't willing to even try to assist me with making sure My CHILDREN & I could eat, {LAUGHING!!!!!}, BECAUSE I WORKED &a

Robby C.

5:25PM PDT on Sep 17, 2011

Sounds like they only have to pay for them if the fail. though. Otherwise, they are reimbursed.

This whole thing poses a serious issue- the truth is, it's wrong to test people to get jobs to begin with. But, since we already do that, why would one getting welfare NOT be subjected to same tests? Ya know, if we weaned out some of the drug addicts in welfare, that money could be better spent elsewhere- maybe legitimate welfare recipients could get more...? But, if we don't drug test welfare recipients, then we should no longer drug test people for the jobs from which the welfare money orginates.

Furthermore, I do agree w/Mz B's sentiment when it comes to our supporting illegals. That has to stop. How many years are we going to allow ourselves to stay in this depression before we start cutting costs in various places. There's no call for that. We have legal citizens starving to death who can't get assistance, oftentimes after having worked lifetimes (paid taxes, etc) here, but illegals seem to bypass them & get whatever they want. I'm not against immigration, but I am seriously against illegaly entry & even moreso, rewarding it...

William Y.

4:55PM PDT on Sep 17, 2011

@ Michelle k. I was drug tested for several jobs, so i have no qualms, with that part, however I didn't have to pay for the tests, which these recipients do.

3:28PM PDT on Sep 17, 2011

$30.00 x 40 000 000 PEOPLE = $1 200 000 000

Need I say more!

MORE WASTED MONEY WE CANT AFFORD AS IT IS, SERIOUSLY WHERE DO YOU THINK THEY WILL PAY FOR THESE DRUG TESTS! US!!!

ITS OFFENSIVE THEY ARE CALLING EVERY PERSON WHO NEEDS HELP A POTENTIAL DRUG ADDICT! I DONT APPROVE AND ITS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

IF YOU THINK PEOPLE WHO COLLECT CASH WELFARE TO DO DRUGS ALL DAY IS A TOTAL JOKE!!

HERE IN ALABAMA AND IN MICHIGAN YOU MUST ATTEND WORK FIRST PROGRAM, THATS 8 HOURS A DAY 5 DAYS A WEEK! SAY FOR A FAMILY OF 3 LIKE MINE YOU CAN GET 216.00 A MONTH. NOW I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS FROM THE .GOV SITES AND FROM ASKING QUESTIONS. SO 2 ADULTS IN MY HOUSE HOLD 1 CHILD (NO DRUG ADDICTS) SAY WE NEED HELP WE APPLY FOR CASH (216 A MONTH) WE LIVE OVER 20 MILES FROM THE WORK FIRST PROGRAM OK! BUT WE HAVE TO ATTEND DAILY THATS 160 (HOURS) X's 2 MONTHLY FOR BOTH ADULTS FOR LESS THAN 60CENTS AN HOUR THIS IS A EFFIN JOKE OK! THAT 216 A MONTH DONT EVEN COVER THE OVER PRICED GAS COST! ITS A SICK CIRCLE THAT MOST PEOPLE DONT REALLY SEE, I HAVE BEEN ON THE LOW END AND NEEDED HELP BEFORE! SOMEONE WHO HASNT AND ONLY SEES THE MONEY TAKEN FROM CHECK WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND!

JUST LIKE THIS EFFED UP SYSTEM YOU ALL CLAIM YOU WANT TO PROTECT FROM DRUG ADDICTS! I'M SICK OF THE CRY BABIES LETS DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE DAM ILLEGALS!!! KICK ALL THE FOREIGNERS OFF GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE SEND THEM HOME!!!!!!! LETS TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK!!! LETS TAKE BACK ALL THE CORNER STORES AND GAS STATIONS AND W

3:07PM PDT on Sep 17, 2011

I don't really understand the anger or hostility being thrown at the prospect of Welfare recipients being drug-tested, how many people who work now didn;t have to be grug-tested to get thier job &/or don't have to submit to random drug-testing on the job? This was NOT even suggested to demean or degrade anyone, it is being imposed to try to ensure that for those who do work & contribute to the system that pays these payments to people in need that our money is NOT being openly given to those who would apply for assistance as a means to pay for/supply thier habit! Of course thier are plenty of people who apply who have NEVER used drugs/Don't use them now/& would NEVER even consider using them, but here are also MANY who will use the system to make sure thier habits are supplied!!! I believe this mandate was geared more toward those who would purposefully CHEAT the system! How can so many people be angry at those who would place checks on those receiving a WORKING-POOR, struggling or thier own families & unable to receive even minimal assistance because they are willing to work, persons, money is going? NO, SUCH A MANDATE WAS NOT IMPLEMENTED TO HURT THOSE WHO NEED HELP, UNDERSTANABLY WITH THE ECONOMY IN SUCH A WRECK, MORE & MORE PEOPLE TRULY NEED ASSISTANCE {PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN LAID-OFF FROM THIER JOBS OR LOST THIER JOBS ALTOGETHER DUE TO DOWN-SIZING OR COMPANY SHUT-DOWNS, THE UNEMPLOYED, WHO ARE HONESTLY SEEKING EMPLOYMENT, I GLADLY PAY MY TAXES TO HELP TH