Over the past six years, there has been a large decline in welfare caseloads due to the strong economy and a range of policies, including changes in welfare law and an increase in the earned income tax credit. It is unlikely, however, that welfare caseloads will continue declining at the same pace in the future. With the departure from the welfare rolls of many of the more employable households, welfare administrators are faced with a higher proportion of families that have serious barriers to employment than was the case in the earlier stages of welfare reform. (excerpt from the document).