Final answer:
The program that necessitates able-bodied adults to work for welfare eligibility is known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which was established after the 1996 welfare reform act, replacing AFDC.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct term for a public assistance program that requires able-bodied adults to work to remain eligible for welfare benefits is Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
In 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, commonly known as the welfare reform act, was passed. This legislation transformed the existing welfare system by replacing the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) with TANF.
Under TANF, adult recipients are generally required to participate in work activities as a condition for receiving benefits, with the primary goal of decreasing dependency on welfare and encouraging employment. This change also established time limits on how long individuals could receive welfare benefits, setting a lifetime total of five years.