Hmong woman faces limits on welfare benefits...and jobs

Programs & Series | MPR News Feature | Special Collections | Hmong life in Minnesota | Types | Reports | Interviews | Topics | Social Issues | Morning Edition |
August 6, 2001
Cathy Wurzer - Host and Interviewer, Kow Lee - Interviewee
Listen: Hmong welfare
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Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Kow Lee, a 29-year-old Hmong woman, about time limits attached to welfare and struggles for finding employment. Lee came to the U.S. 10 years ago, is divorced, and has 7 children ranging from ages 4 months to 9 years old. Speaking through an interpreter, Kow Lee says raising children in America is very hard.

According to the 2000 Census, the Hmong population in the state has doubled over that time to almost 42,000. About 1,500 Hmong are on welfare. Many of them are facing a 5-year time limit on some of their benefits. The time limit is part of the 1996 Federal welfare reform law.

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