The current U.S. welfare system originated from the Great Depression of the 1930s. During the worst part of the depression, about one-fourth of the labor force was without work. More than two-thirds of all households would have been considered poor by today's standards. "With a majority of the competent adult population experiencing severe financial misfortune first hand, Americans could no longer view poverty simply as a personal failing." (Encarta) The majority of Americans turned to the government for answers.

U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt established a social and economic reform movement to combat the Great Depression. Part of hi

There are other programs which help pay for electrical and fuel bills, and public housing. Public housing has a variety of different options. One is low cost rental apartments in government owned buildings. Also, public housing provides apartments in housing projects specifically built for low-income families or adults. Another option for eligible participants is subsidized rent in apartments or housing complexes where some of the units are reserved for the poor. Vouchers may also be given to contribute to housing costs. "The annual federal costs of these programs were over $23 billion in 1996; substantially less than had been spent in previous decades." (Berkowitz)

I have mixed feelings about welfare. I feel like the system could use some improvements, for example, if welfare people on welfare begin to earn money, or more money than they had been earning, their benefits will decrease and their taxes will rise. This occurrence may encourage people to stay on welfare and not to find work. This situation penalizes people on welfare who work, especially when only low wage jobs are available to them. If calculated correctly, working at a minimal wage, minus taxes, could possibly end up in a lower income then when on welfare. Another disadvantage of the system is that a young parent may be less likely to marry or stay married if being single allows them to claim welfare benefits.

The most popular welfare program is the Food Stamp Program. This helps low-income households buy food that they could not otherwise afford. The federal government issues the stamps. The number of stamps a household receives varies with the family's size, income, and expenses. These coupons are available to both low-income families with dependent children and households without children. 26.6 million candidates utilize the Food Stamp program in 1995, with a cost of approximately $27.5 billion. (Encarta)

Adults with disabilities or who are not able to work because of age can receive monetary support through Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI provides more generous assistance than AFDC. In 1995 individuals received $458 monthly, roughly 25 percent below poverty-level income, and couples received $687 monthly, or about 10 percent below poverty level. The SSI caseload had grown to about 6.5 million by 1995, with a yearly program cost of about $27 million. (Encarta)

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1991
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)