1. By Henry Akers, Emily Turner, Meredith Eudailey, Sarah Fortune
Welfare
By Henry Akers, Emily Turner, Meredith Eudailey, Sarah Fortune

2. Definition
Welfare – the provision of a minimal level of well-being and social support for all citizens, sometimes referred to as public aid.
Includes Medicaid, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplementary Security Income, and Children’s Health Insurance Programs
Currently controlled by both federal and state governments

3. 1996 Welfare Reform Act
Also known as “Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA)”
Focused more on workforce development, which encourages employment among the poor
Provided aid for 2 years
Included Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Required that a portion of the able-bodied adults work or prepare for work in order to receive welfare

4. Recent Changes
In 2012 the Obama administration waived federal requirement for a portion of TANF recipients to engage in work activities
States can apply for waivers to this requirement as long as they are finding other ways to increase employment

5. The Problem
Federal requirement to find a job within 2 years to receive aid has caused some to go jobless and without aid (this has also led to an increase in child poverty)
Federal funding of welfare did not change to compensate for the recent economic crisis
Various federal requirements for state programs have been overbearing/unnecessary

6. State Control: Pros
People making decisions are closer to the people they affect
Can more effectively use trial and error

7. State Control: Cons Lack resources/funding No regulations or structure
Gives states authority to destroy it altogether

8. Federal Control: Pros Have more than enough resources/funding
Would simplify the system

9. Federal Government: Cons
Doesn’t allow for specialization/flexibility
Any changes would take a much longer time to implement

10. Solution: Federal Government
Mostly state-run but Federal government plays a small role
Federal government gives funding to each state based on its individual poverty rate
Federal government has no role in regulating the system (besides requiring that there is one)
Federal government reviews state-made welfare programs to ensure they are providing at least a minimum level of well-being

11. Solution: State Governments
State governments decide which programs and policies to include based on the state’s needs
State governments are required to administer drug tests on all welfare recipients
State governments need to make sure that recipients are at least looking for work

12. Citations
“State-Federal Welfare Relationships - Social Welfare History Project.”Social Welfare History Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct
“Is Devolution Working? Federal and State Roles in Welfare.” The Brookings Institution. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct
“Welfare Information.” US Welfare System. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2014