Societies conventionally have chalked out the programs to sustain people who are not able to support for themselves especially old people, people having disabilities, people who do not have family etc. The Code of Hamurabi, devised by King Hammurabi of Babylonia in the 18th century BC is regarded as one of the oldest documents to mention about the social support. The religious and morality involved teachings in several societies have also been an incentive to assist one another via the acts of individual well being. It is till the last few centuries that no society could have a universal social support system which is being publicly funded. The publicly financed system in form of a series of legislative acts known as poor laws which was developed in England during the 16th century is considered the oldest one. Such laws proved the local governments to construct almshouses and huge facilities for the unemployed. (Social Security) .

             Additionally, poor laws entailed for certain activities known as outdoor relief that offered help to the poor and the unemployed outside the realm of alms houses or that of the workhouses. The financing of the poor law programs is made through general taxes instead of from those of the people being supported. Presently the measures and kind of support extended through the poor laws have been grouped under welfare programs. The necessity for more extensive social support system felt in the United States during the mid-to late 1800s as a result of substantial variations in labor pattern brought by the Industrial Revolution. Prior to industrialization, people mostly were engaged in agricultural activities and lived in extended joint families. .

             The healthy working age members could support their young, older people and infirm relatives in the extended families. The growth of factory system, office and blue-collar jobs compelled the people to leave home and move far away from their extended families.