The Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) Director, Jennifer Dixon, said people had misunderstood the department’s report and 8,000 persons are not receiving welfare from the government.

Dixon revealed to the Legislative Assembly’s Finance Committee on Wednesday (4) the figure of 8,000-9,000 was a reflection of the number of people that COULD have benefited directly or indirectly from some kind of intervention from the department.

Some people multiplied the average number of people in households (based on the census) by every home the agency has helped in some way, and therefore arrived at an inflated figure. These misleading figures were then circulated into the community.

“The vast majority of those helped are not necessarily receiving financial assistance, Dixon said, “since the figure includes intervention in family problems, adoption services and support for the elderly.”

However, the agency has and is still helping 1,795 households with some form of help, including paying one-off bills for families in financial problems and the elderly.

More serious was the revelation by Dixon that 971 households are receiving some kind of PERMANENT financial support.