By Jonathan Trotter
‘Milking the system’ or not? Welfare….
The health, happiness, or fortune of a person or group During the early days of the US, the colonists, used the British Poor Laws to distinguish those who were able to work from those who were unemployable. The foundation of the US Welfare Programs of today began in the 1930s under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal”.
4 out of 10 Americans live from paycheck to paycheck. People fall into poverty due to a variety of reasons such as job loss, death, illness, poor money management, and by being a victim of a natural disaster. Over 100 million Americans rely on some type of government assistance to make ends meet.
SNAP TANF SSI Medicaid LIHEAP Public Housing/Section 8 WIC CCDF Lifeline
Formerly called Food Stamps Approximately 47 million Americans receive SNAP benefits 1 in 7 Americans rely on food programs to prevent starvation SNAP is the largest welfare program in the US
Formerly known as Aid to Families with Dependent Children( AFDC) Designed for families who generate little to no income Able bodied adults on the program are expected to be actively seeking work Single parents receiving TANF are assisted in collecting child support from the absent parent
Provides income support to persons aged 65 or older, blind or disabled adults and children SSI replaced the former federal-state adult assistance programs in all 50 states An individual can not receive TANF and also receive SSI However, an individual receiving SSI is automatically eligible for Medicaid and SNAP benefits
A health insurance program for low income Americans with limited resources. The average American family spends more on healthcare than they do on groceries Medicaid covers hospital and doctor visits, prescriptions, and children’s dental care. Each State writes their own program specific to the health needs of their populace. The federal government requires each state to provide coverage to children and the elderly living in poverty.
Federal Block Grant funding is given to the states to assist low income residents with heating and/or cooling costs An eligible household's income must not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level 3.4 billion dollars was spent on the LIHEAP program in 2012.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development provides public housing for low income persons in subsidized housing projects owned by the Department. Under Section 8 of the Housing Act of 1937, low income individuals can choose their own dwelling. They are given a voucher to pay all or part of their rental costs at that dwelling. Many residents in public housing or those receiving Section 8 funds also receive assistance with utility costs.
Designed to safeguard the health of low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at risk for poor nutrition. Nutritional risks are either: ◦ Medically (anemia, underweight, overweight, history of pregnancy complications, or poor pregnancy outcomes) or ◦ Dietary (inappropriate nutrition/feeding practices or failure to meet the current dietary guidelines) The program provides vouchers for nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.
Supports low-income working families by providing access to affordable, high-quality early care and afterschool programs The federal government provides vouchers to pay childcare costs so parents can either work or attend school to increase their employability. CCDF made $5.2 billion available to states, territories, and tribes in fiscal year In South Carolina, the child care program is the ABC Voucher Program
Provides a discount on phone service for qualifying low income consumers To participate in the program, consumers must have an income that is at or below 135% of the federal poverty guideline. Families are only allowed one Lifeline discount of $9.25 per household. y Guidelinesy Guidelines
Welfare… Is it really helping the fight against poverty in America, or is it making recipients even more dependent on government assistance?