When you add up the benefits welfare pays more than $100/day, at least in California and they can sit on their backsides to get it.
30 years ago I knew a construction superintendant that penciled it out and could make over $30k/year on welfare. He transfered his home, boat, dunebuggy, and all his assets to relatives and quit his good paying job and went on welfare. Of course being a skilled craftsman he made just as much working for cash on the side since he didn't have to work being on welfare and the welfare became added income.