Agreed, in this area there is what is called generational poverty. Which is different then situational poverty.
Basically I'm poor because we have always been poor and I cannot break the cycle because I don't know any better.
Situational poverty would be the factory shuts down and suddenly you need to be on assistance until you get back on your feet.
Generational poverty tend (some exceptions) to feel they could not survive without assistance or that that's just what you do.
For example, your teenage daughter gets pregnant, what are your first thoughts? Mine would be thinking how difficult this will make her future, what if she doesn't finish school, getting her good prenatal care. generational poverty goes into survival mode...how will we feed this baby, clothe this baby, pay doctor bills, etc. their first call would probably be to sign up for WIC before calling to get a doctors appt.
http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2008/aug/25/families-generational-poverty-form-their-own-cultu/
This describes it so much better then me.
This is based on my experience living in rural Appalachian Ohio working with generational poverty for 15 years.