Many working poor have an effectively zero probability of dramatically improving their financial situation. The odds of winning the lottery are higher than zero. Therefore, there is a sort of rationality to playing if you have correctly self assessed that you're stuck in near poverty.

That said, it's deplorable government is running these programs. Only 40 years ago this was the illegal domain of mobsters and sleazeballs. Now the state has muscled in on the action is legitimizing the moral message that you can get something for nothing.