[lockhouse]

Wouldn't a jobs program also help them while bettering society as a whole in the process and possibly teaching them a skill?

It wouldn't have to be hard labor, I'm thinking park beautification or paid internships for skilled jobs that have shortages.

Long term I see "free" money from the government just expanding the class of people that are dependent upon the government for their way of life. The old "teach a man to fish" addage.