1. Social Welfare Policymaking
Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry
Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy
Fourteenth Edition
Chapter 18
Social Welfare Policymaking
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman.

2. Types of Social Policy
Social welfare policies provide benefits to individuals, through:
Entitlement programs: government benefits that certain qualified individuals are entitled to by law, regardless of need
Means-tested programs: government programs only available to individuals below a specific line

3. Income, Poverty, and Public Policy
Who’s Getting What?
Income: amount of funds collected between any two points in time
Income distribution: the “shares” of the national income earned by various groups
Wealth: value of assets already owned

4. Income, Poverty, and Public Policy
Who’s Getting What? (Part 2)
One-third of America’s wealth is held by 1 percent of the population.
Top 1% wealth = Bottom 95%
Top 400 individuals=bottom 50% (~160,000,000)

6. Income, Poverty, and Public Policy
Who’s Poor in America?
Poverty Line: what a family must spend for an “austere” standard of living
36.5 million Americans—about 12.3 percent—were poor in 2006 (16% in 2012)
Many people move in and out of poverty in a year’s time.
Feminization of poverty: high rates of poverty among unmarried women

7. Income, Poverty, and Public Policy (What Part Does Government Play?)
Taxation
Progressive tax: people with higher incomes pay a greater share
Proportional tax: all people pay the same share of their income
Regressive tax: burden falls relatively more heavily on low-income groups—opposite of a progressive tax
Earned Income Tax Credit: “negative income tax” that provided income to very poor people in lieu of charging them income tax

8. Income, Poverty, and Public Policy (What Part Does Government Play?)
Government Expenditures
Transfer payments: benefits given by the government directly to individuals
Some transfer benefits are actual money, such as social security (an entitlement program)
Other transfer benefits are “in kind” benefits where recipients get a benefit without getting actual money, such as food stamps (a means-tested program)

10. Welfare Program Recipients
Back

11. MEDICARE CONCERNS PEOPLE ARE LIVING LONGER MEDICAL COSTS ARE INCREASING

12. Figure 17.3- Health Care Spending
Back

13. Helping the Poor? Social Policy and Poverty
Social Security Act of 1935— first government program to help people against absolute poverty
Set up Social Security Program and AFDC
Expanded by President Johnson’s “war on poverty” & “Great Society” programs

14. Helping the Poor? Social Policy and Poverty
President Reagan cut welfare benefits and removed people from benefit rolls.
Conservatives argued that welfare programs discouraged the poor from solving their problems.
Attitudes toward welfare became “race coded,” the belief that most people on welfare were African Americans.

15. Helping the Poor? Social Policy and Poverty
The Welfare Reforms of 1996
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act
Each state to receive a fixed amount of money to run its own welfare programs.
Two “continuous” years limit on welfare
Lifetime limit of five years placed on welfare
AFDC changed to TANF
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Welfare rolls declined.

20. Immigration and Social Policy
Myths about Immigration
Most are (NOT!) illegal immigrants.
Most are (NOT!) consuming federal benefits while (NOT!) avoiding taxes.
Immigration Today
13% of Americans=1st-generation immigrants.
Many admitted with high skills & education.

21. Immigration and Social Policy
Immigration has had little support throughout American history.
Illegal immigration is a new issue
last 30 years.
Illegal immigration has been a major—though difficult—issue in presidential politics.

22. Immigration and Social Policy
No general immigration policy until the 20th Century.
(Chinese banned in 1882.)
1924: Quota system favors northwestern Europeans and discriminates against others (including eastern Europe).
Immigration from Latin America climbs after World War II.

23. Immigration and Social Policy
Simpson-Mazzoli Act (1986)
Path to citizenship (“amnesty”)
3 million illegal immigrants become citizens
Employers forbidden from hiring illegals,
but they cannot challenge documentation.
Despite several proposals, no major policy changes since.

24. Immigration and Social Policy
States are hardest hit by the costs of illegal immigration.
Proposition 187 (CA) cut off public services to illegal immigrants; mostly found
unconstitutional.
Some states punish employers by taking away business licenses.
Many battles over college tuition breaks.

25. Living on Borrowed Time: Social Security
Senior Citizen Benefits
Social Security since 1935
Medicare in 1965.
Employers and employees contribute to the Social Security Trust Fund.
The Trust Fund will soon be in the red as the ratio of workers to beneficiaries is narrowing.

26. The Future of Social Security
The problem: number of Social Security contributors (workers) is growing slowly, while number of recipients (retired) is growing rapidly
At some time—currently 2038—payouts will exceed income.
Solutions of cutting benefits or raising taxes are hard choices.

29. Rising Cost of Entitlements
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30. Figure 17.2- Social Security
Back

31. Social Welfare Policy Elsewhere
Most industrialized nations…
are more generous than the U.S.
have higher tax rates than the U.S.
Other countries (especially Europe) have worked to reform their welfare programs, as their programs are in trouble, too.

32. U.S. MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHO “DESERVES” HELP
SOCIAL WELFARE
AMERICAN WELFARE
COMPARED TO EUROPE
U.S. MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHO “DESERVES” HELP
TRADITIONAL EMPHASIS ON SELF-RELIANCE

34. CHILD
CARE
COMPARISON
CHILD
CARE
COMPARISON
CHILD
CARE
COMPARISON

35. Ch 18 - Extra Family Leave Maternity Paternity
AP AG
Ch 18 - Extra Family Leave Maternity Paternity

36. Unpaid maternity leave Unpaid paternity leave
Country
Paid maternity leave
Paid paternity leave
Unpaid maternity leave
Unpaid paternity leave
Restrictions
Antigua/Barbuda
13 weeks 60%
Argentina
90 days 100%
Two days
Aruba
12 weeks 100%
Bahamas
One week family-related leave
Paid maternity leave may only be taken once every 36 months
Barbados
Belize
12 weeks 80%
Bolivia
12 weeks 100% of national min. wage + 70% of wages above min. wage
Brazil
120 days 100%, salary partially tax-deductible for employers
5 days (Article 10, Paragraph 1, of Temporary Constitutional Provisions Act of Brazilian Constitution)[1]
Canada
55% up to $485/week for 50 weeks (15 weeks maternity + 35 weeks parental leave shared with father)[14]
55% up to $485/week for 35 weeks parental leave (shared with mother)[15]
2 weeks
Quebec, 70% up to $834.61/week for 25 weeks, then 55% up to $655.76/week for 25 weeks. As with the federal plan, there are 32 weeks of parental leave that can be shared with father. In addition, fathers are eligible for 5 weeks paid leave at a rate of up to 70% of their income or 3 weeks paid leave at a rate of 75% of their income.
Chile
18 weeks 100%
Article 66 indicates 1 day paid; Law N° (2005) increased paternity leave to 4 days paid leave. (edward gonzalez-acosta, The New School)
Colombia
Law 755 (2002) appended a paragraph to Article 236 of the Labor Code to indicate that fathers have a leave of 4–8 days. (edward gonzalez-acosta, The New School)
Costa Rica
4 months 100%
Cuba
Dominica
12 weeks 60%
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
12 weeks 75%
Grenada
3 months 100% (2 months), 60% for 3rd month
Guatemala
84 days 100%
Two days at birth of child
Guyana
13 weeks 70%
Haiti
12 weeks 100% for 6 weeks
Honduras
10 weeks 100% for 84 days
Jamaica
12 weeks 100% for 8 weeks
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
14 weeks 100%
Paraguay
12 weeks 50% for 9 weeks
Peru
Saint Lucia
3 months 65%
Trinidad/Tobago
13 weeks 60%-100%
United States
0 weeks (CA: 6 weeks 55%, NJ 6 weeks 66%, WA 5 weeks $250/week; pregnancy treated as disability: HI 58%, NY 50%, RI formula.)[16]
0 weeks (CA: 6 weeks 55%, NJ 6 weeks 66%, WA 5 weeks $250/week)[16]
12 weeks
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 includes all public agencies and private companies with 50 or more employees within 75 miles. Employee must have worked for covered employer for at least 12 months prior, and at least 1250 hours in previous 12 months. Other restrictions apply. SeePaid Family Leave (California) for details in CA.[17]
Uruguay
Three days paternity leave for civil servants
Venezuela

37. Unpaid maternity leave Unpaid paternity leave
Country
Paid maternity leave
Paid paternity leave
Unpaid maternity leave
Unpaid paternity leave
Restrictions
Antigua/Barbuda
13 weeks 60%
Argentina
90 days 100%
Two days
Aruba
12 weeks 100%
Bahamas
One week family-related leave
Paid maternity leave may only be taken once every 36 months
Barbados
Belize
12 weeks 80%
Bolivia
12 weeks 100% of national min. wage + 70% of wages above min. wage
Brazil
120 days 100%, salary partially tax-deductible for employers
5 days (Article 10, Paragraph 1, of Temporary Constitutional Provisions Act of Brazilian Constitution)[1]
Canada
55% up to $485/week for 50 weeks (15 weeks maternity + 35 weeks parental leave shared with father)[14]
55% up to $485/week for 35 weeks parental leave (shared with mother)[15]
2 weeks
Quebec, 70% up to $834.61/week for 25 weeks, then 55% up to $655.76/week for 25 weeks. As with the federal plan, there are 32 weeks of parental leave that can be shared with father. In addition, fathers are eligible for 5 weeks paid leave at a rate of up to 70% of their income or 3 weeks paid leave at a rate of 75% of their income.
Chile
18 weeks 100%
Article 66 indicates 1 day paid; Law N° (2005) increased paternity leave to 4 days paid leave. (edward gonzalez-acosta, The New School)
Colombia
Law 755 (2002) appended a paragraph to Article 236 of the Labor Code to indicate that fathers have a leave of 4–8 days. (edward gonzalez-acosta, The New School)
Costa Rica
4 months 100%
Cuba
Dominica
12 weeks 60%
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
12 weeks 75%
Grenada
3 months 100% (2 months), 60% for 3rd month
Guatemala
84 days 100%
Two days at birth of child
Guyana
13 weeks 70%
Haiti
12 weeks 100% for 6 weeks
Honduras
10 weeks 100% for 84 days
Jamaica
12 weeks 100% for 8 weeks
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
14 weeks 100%
Paraguay
12 weeks 50% for 9 weeks
Peru
Saint Lucia
3 months 65%
Trinidad/Tobago
13 weeks 60%-100%
United States
0 weeks (CA: 6 weeks 55%, NJ 6 weeks 66%, WA 5 weeks $250/week; pregnancy treated as disability: HI 58%, NY 50%, RI formula.)[16]
0 weeks (CA: 6 weeks 55%, NJ 6 weeks 66%, WA 5 weeks $250/week)[16]
12 weeks
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 includes all public agencies and private companies with 50 or more employees within 75 miles. Employee must have worked for covered employer for at least 12 months prior, and at least 1250 hours in previous 12 months. Other restrictions apply. SeePaid Family Leave (California) for details in CA.[17]
Uruguay
Three days paternity leave for civil servants
Venezuela

38. Unpaid maternity leave Unpaid paternity leave
Country
Paid maternity leave
Paid paternity leave
Unpaid maternity leave
Unpaid paternity leave
Restrictions
Antigua/Barbuda
13 weeks 60%
Argentina
90 days 100%
Two days
Aruba
12 weeks 100%
Bahamas
One week family-related leave
Paid maternity leave may only be taken once every 36 months
Barbados
Belize
12 weeks 80%
Bolivia
12 weeks 100% of national min. wage + 70% of wages above min. wage
Brazil
120 days 100%, salary partially tax-deductible for employers
5 days (Article 10, Paragraph 1, of Temporary Constitutional Provisions Act of Brazilian Constitution)[1]
Canada
55% up to $485/week for 50 weeks (15 weeks maternity + 35 weeks parental leave shared with father)[14]
55% up to $485/week for 35 weeks parental leave (shared with mother)[15]
2 weeks
Quebec, 70% up to $834.61/week for 25 weeks, then 55% up to $655.76/week for 25 weeks. As with the federal plan, there are 32 weeks of parental leave that can be shared with father. In addition, fathers are eligible for 5 weeks paid leave at a rate of up to 70% of their income or 3 weeks paid leave at a rate of 75% of their income.
Chile
18 weeks 100%
Article 66 indicates 1 day paid; Law N° (2005) increased paternity leave to 4 days paid leave. (edward gonzalez-acosta, The New School)
Colombia
Law 755 (2002) appended a paragraph to Article 236 of the Labor Code to indicate that fathers have a leave of 4–8 days. (edward gonzalez-acosta, The New School)
Costa Rica
4 months 100%
Cuba
Dominica
12 weeks 60%
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
12 weeks 75%
Grenada
3 months 100% (2 months), 60% for 3rd month
Guatemala
84 days 100%
Two days at birth of child
Guyana
13 weeks 70%
Haiti
12 weeks 100% for 6 weeks
Honduras
10 weeks 100% for 84 days
Jamaica
12 weeks 100% for 8 weeks
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
14 weeks 100%
Paraguay
12 weeks 50% for 9 weeks
Peru
Saint Lucia
3 months 65%
Trinidad/Tobago
13 weeks 60%-100%
United States
0 weeks (CA: 6 weeks 55%, NJ 6 weeks 66%, WA 5 weeks $250/week; pregnancy treated as disability: HI 58%, NY 50%, RI formula.)[16]
0 weeks (CA: 6 weeks 55%, NJ 6 weeks 66%, WA 5 weeks $250/week)[16]
12 weeks
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 includes all public agencies and private companies with 50 or more employees within 75 miles. Employee must have worked for covered employer for at least 12 months prior, and at least 1250 hours in previous 12 months. Other restrictions apply. SeePaid Family Leave (California) for details in CA.[17]
Uruguay
Three days paternity leave for civil servants
Venezuela

39. Unpaid maternity leave Unpaid paternity leave
Country
Paid maternity leave
Paid paternity leave
Unpaid maternity leave
Unpaid paternity leave
Restrictions
Antigua/Barbuda
13 weeks 60%
Argentina
90 days 100%
Two days
Aruba
12 weeks 100%
Bahamas
One week family-related leave
Paid maternity leave may only be taken once every 36 months
Barbados
Belize
12 weeks 80%
Bolivia
12 weeks 100% of national min. wage + 70% of wages above min. wage
Brazil
120 days 100%, salary partially tax-deductible for employers
5 days (Article 10, Paragraph 1, of Temporary Constitutional Provisions Act of Brazilian Constitution)[1]
Canada
55% up to $485/week for 50 weeks (15 weeks maternity + 35 weeks parental leave shared with father)[14]
55% up to $485/week for 35 weeks parental leave (shared with mother)[15]
2 weeks
Quebec, 70% up to $834.61/week for 25 weeks, then 55% up to $655.76/week for 25 weeks. As with the federal plan, there are 32 weeks of parental leave that can be shared with father. In addition, fathers are eligible for 5 weeks paid leave at a rate of up to 70% of their income or 3 weeks paid leave at a rate of 75% of their income.
Chile
18 weeks 100%
Article 66 indicates 1 day paid; Law N° (2005) increased paternity leave to 4 days paid leave. (edward gonzalez-acosta, The New School)
Colombia
Law 755 (2002) appended a paragraph to Article 236 of the Labor Code to indicate that fathers have a leave of 4–8 days. (edward gonzalez-acosta, The New School)
Costa Rica
4 months 100%
Cuba
Dominica
12 weeks 60%
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
12 weeks 75%
Grenada
3 months 100% (2 months), 60% for 3rd month
Guatemala
84 days 100%
Two days at birth of child
Guyana
13 weeks 70%
Haiti
12 weeks 100% for 6 weeks
Honduras
10 weeks 100% for 84 days
Jamaica
12 weeks 100% for 8 weeks
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
14 weeks 100%
Paraguay
12 weeks 50% for 9 weeks
Peru
Saint Lucia
3 months 65%
Trinidad/Tobago
13 weeks 60%-100%
United States
0 weeks (CA: 6 weeks 55%, NJ 6 weeks 66%, WA 5 weeks $250/week; pregnancy treated as disability: HI 58%, NY 50%, RI formula.)[16]
0 weeks (CA: 6 weeks 55%, NJ 6 weeks 66%, WA 5 weeks $250/week)[16]
12 weeks
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 includes all public agencies and private companies with 50 or more employees within 75 miles. Employee must have worked for covered employer for at least 12 months prior, and at least 1250 hours in previous 12 months. Other restrictions apply. SeePaid Family Leave (California) for details in CA.[17]
Uruguay
Three days paternity leave for civil servants
Venezuela

40. Understanding Social Welfare Policy
Social Welfare Policy & the Scope of Governm’t
The growth of government has been driven by the growth of social welfare policies, which grows generation by generation.
Democracy and Social Welfare
The U.S. has the smallest social welfare system.
There is considerable unequal political participation
by those that use the programs.
Elderly are well-organized and influential.
The poor are not organized and influential.

41. Summary
Social welfare policies include entitlement and means-tested programs.
Entitlement programs affect social welfare status but are expensive.
Welfare has been reformed.
Is Social Security next?