Welfare reform refers to changes made to government assistance programs aimed at helping low-income individuals and families. These reforms often focus on reducing dependency on welfare by encouraging work, providing job training, and setting time limits on benefits. The goal is to promote self-sufficiency and improve the overall effectiveness of welfare programs. In the United States, significant welfare reform occurred in 1996 with the passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. This legislation replaced the previous program, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, which emphasizes work requirements and state flexibility in administering benefits.