Ask Bernice, a mother of three who immigrated from Costa Rica six years ago, how she plans to celebrate Christmas this year, and her voice trembles.

"I don't know what I'll do," the Somerville resident responds hesitantly.

In eight short months, the first wave of Massachusetts welfare recipients subject to time limits--including Bernice--will be kicked off the rolls. During any five-year period, the state now provides only two years of cash benefits. For those on the dole since the law was enacted on Dec. 1, 1996, time is running out.

Bernice, 43, has been forced to plan for a career, a way to earn her own money once the state turns off the government spigot.

In anticipation of the time limit and with the guidance of her Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) caseworker, Bernice has made plans to become a licensed child care provider. Upon completion of an 11-hour course offered through the Child Care Resource Center (CCRC), a day care advocacy group based in Cambridge, Bernice can babysit up to six children in her home.

Bernice has received transportation reimbursements for getting to and from the CCRC, money for after-school day care and a waiver for the $65 child care training fee.

"The system has definitely worked in her favor," says Bernice's DTA caseworker. "Welfare recipients have a responsibility to make better lives for themselves and [Bernice] is working towards that."

Yet uncertainty lingers. Are people like Bernice going to succeed? The jury is still out on the efficacy of welfare reform, but everyone from politicians to policy wonks, caseworkers to recipients is throwing in his two cents.

One common point of agreement holds true: Life on welfare is a delicately stacked house of cards. Any single crisis may topple a family's struggle to leave welfare.

Like their counterparts from California to Florida in tight or slack job markets, Cambridge area recipients face numerous obstacles to finding and keeping a job--among them quality child care, comprehensive health care and protection from domestic violence.

Federal welfare reform is forcing recipients like Bernice to confront these challenges and leaving states to deal with the details.

National Rules, State Provisions

Even Bernice, who will be prodded into the work force, says reform was needed.

"A lot of people stay [on welfare] too long," she admits. "They don't do anything."

On August 22, 1996, Congress passed and President Clinton signed into law sweeping changes to address that very problem. The catch-word of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity

Reconciliation Act is "work" and work is whatwelfare recipients will have to do.