4. 1600- 1900: The Laissez – Faire Era
The gov’t assumes no role in helping the poor
Late 1800’s – Social Darwinism “blames the victim” for poverty, exalts the wealthy
Also see the consolidation of wealth / the “problem” of Capitalism

5. 1870 – 1930: Fighting the Consolidation of Wealth
- European approaches: communism, socialism
- US approach: incomes taxes + business regulation
The Progressive Era

6. 1930- 1945: Further Crisis in the Great Depression
- The birth of the “welfare state” - government takes direct action to help the poor
Ex: work relief, cash assistance, farm supports, social security for elderly and handicapped
Temporary fixes – only social security was a permanent social welfare program.

7. 1965- 1995: “The Great Society Programs” - a vision and a reality
LBJ’s Great Society Programs established:
food stamps
public housing
welfare (cash assistance)
Medicaid
Who gets it? Based on poverty thresholds

9. Early 1990’s: A Middle Class Backlash
Republicans won control of the House of Representatives with welfare reform at the forefront of their agenda.
Speaker of the House New Gingrich
Fueled by perceptions that most welfare recipients were “welfare queens” living off the government (too lazy to work) and payments for their illegitimate children

10. What do you mean by “Welfare”?
Food stamps?
7% (2010) of Americans receive benefits
Medicaid? Health care for low income persons
15.9% (2010)
Medicare ? Health care for elderly persons
23% (2010)
TANF – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Cash payments for people under the poverty thresholds
1.23 % (2011)
Social Security – for elderly
25%
Disabled – for disabled adults and children
4.8 %
Unemployment Insurance?
5% (2011)
Veterans – tuition benefits / health / retirement
Public Housing?

11. Statistics on Welfare (TANF) Recipients 2000 Census
Gender?
90% women
Marital status?
12% married
Non-citizens? 8%
High school graduates?
50%
Avg. payment for one child?
$285

12. % receive child support? Average size family? Avg. age recipient?
10%
Average size family?
2.6 pple.
Avg. age recipient?
31.3
Black?
33 % (2009)
white, non-Hispanic?
31% (2009)
Hispanic?
29% (2009)
% of US population on assistance:
2.5% ( highest: 5.5%)

13. Real Reform: the 1995 Welfare Reform Act
Passed by a Republican Congress and President Clinton
 Called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families - TANF
30 hours work required
2 years max. benefits if unemployed
5 years max. with work
Minors must live with parents & go to school to get benefits
No work required IF: child under 1 year old, or child under 6 w/o daycare
Effect: welfare rolls fell by 50%

14. “Deadbeat Dads” crack down
Mainly state laws:
Garnishing wages
Bank account drafting
Public humiliation

15. Effect of Welfare Reform Long-term?
What would success look like?
Fewer people on “welfare” ?
Achieved, sort of (see disability numbers)
Conquer poverty? no

21. The “New” Welfare
Disability – Episode 446
Episode 490