This abstract summarizes recent statistics on those needing assistance in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), along with participation rates for various proposed benefit programs, based on an analysis of the 1990-91 Survey of Income and Program Participation. Analysis indicates: (1) an estimated 1.9 percent of the population has difficulty performing one or more ADLs, but does not need assistance: (2) 1.9 percent needs help with at least one ADL, more than half of this percentage requires assistance with two or more ADLs; (3) 2.7 million adults need help taking a bath or shower, the most common ADL assistance needed; (4) spouses are most often the primary providers, followed by daughters and other relatives; (5) an estimated 9.2 percent of the population needing ADL assistance uses paid providers as the primary source of assistance; (6) 61 percent of the people needing personal assistance are aged 65 or older; (7) women are more likely than men to require personal assistance; and (8) African Americans have the highest rate of assistance needs at 2.8 percent. Further analysis indicates that federal program eligibility rates for personal assistance services could be reduced by expanding assistance only to the elderly or people living below the poverty line. (CR)