How Do I Become a Welfare Worker?

The prerequisites to become a welfare worker generally vary according to the desired position, but for the most part, the work is administrative in nature and many new welfare workers can gain most of their experience on the job. Having good organizational skills and a desire to help others are two sought-after characteristics in someone hoping to become a welfare worker. While formal academic training is rarely necessary, it could be a benefit to those who wish to work certain fields, such as social services. Most welfare workers with advanced degrees also have a background in social work or another human services field.

Welfare is a broad category that generally refers to government services, such as financial assistance for low-income people. Welfare recipients can also include unemployed individuals, families with dependent children, people with certain illnesses or disabilities, the elderly, and military service veterans. Two examples of the various types of welfare programs that applicants seek are insurance and cash assistance.

A welfare worker's primary duties usually include interviewing applicants and determining their eligibility for aid programs. Some examples of eligibility factors can include income, family size, and employment status. Other people qualify for welfare based on a disability or a particular medical condition. After determining eligibility, some additional welfare worker responsibilities can include completing paperwork, maintaining records, and communicating with various social or government agencies on behalf of clients.

Typically, a formal educational background is not required to become a welfare worker. Helpful skills can be obtained, however, by completing an academic program in social work or a related field. Someone training to become a welfare worker usually gains most of his or her knowledge and skills from working under the supervision of another professional. In most cases, practical experience working with clients is a valuable prerequisite to advancing in one's career.

Other qualifications that are usually needed in order to become a welfare worker include attention to detail and effective communication skills. In general, successful welfare workers also have good interpersonal skills and a willingness to work with clients at all socioeconomic levels. In this field, it is often necessary to advocate for individuals who may not be able to do so for themselves.

Someone aspiring to become a welfare worker should be prepared for a variety of situations, some of which may be stressful. A typical day might include interviewing several potential welfare recipients, either in their homes or in a service agency office. A welfare worker usually answers questions posed by clients, and he or she may have to attend meetings with other professionals to discuss certain cases. Another common duty is maintaining client data and paperwork in paper or electronic files, and the job could require performing simple calculations based on clients' financial information.