Final answer:
Edin and Shaefer's claim that 'welfare is dead' is supported by evidence showing that welfare recipients now engage in various forms of informal work and support, rather than relying solely on cash assistance. The number of welfare recipients has significantly decreased since the 1990s welfare reforms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Edin and Shaefer argue that 'welfare is dead' based on their finding that welfare recipients no longer rely solely on cash assistance but engage in various forms of informal work and support. They provide evidence to support this claim by demonstrating that the number of welfare recipients has significantly decreased since the welfare reforms of the 1990s. This implies that the government has shifted its focus from providing direct cash assistance to encouraging work and self-sufficiency.