GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS

1. GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS

2. 1. Most government programs providing benefits for citizens were developed during the NEW DEAL (Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1930s, Great Depression)

3. a. ENTITLEMENT DOLLARS: Federal Money citizens are entitled to bylaw • b. Programs for the poor, the elderly, the sick, students • c. Most entitlement dollars go to the middle and upper classes

4. 2. Programs for the Poor • a. Only entitled to them if you pass the NEEDS TEST: proof of the need for service / money

5. b. Poverty Threshold for a family of four (2004) = $19,157 • c. AID TO FALILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN (AFDC) = Welfare

6. i. Money comes from both federal gov’t and state gov’t • ii. Some states would not pay if the father lived in the home • 1. Critique: breaks up families/ encourages single mothers

7. iii. Benefits were reduced relative to income • 2. Critique: encourages people not to work

8. iv. PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND WORK OPPORTUNITY RECONCILLATION ACT (1996) • 3. Replaced AFDC with TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF)

9. 4. Can only receive aid for 2 years without attending a vocational program for at least 20 hours a week • 5. Money is provided for child care

10. 6. One year of health care while transitioning “from welfare to work” • 7. Five year overall limit on benefits

11. 8. Immigrants can not receive benefits • 9. Minors (who are parents) to receive benefits must: • a. Live in adult-supervised home AND b. continue their education

12. d. FOOD STAMPS: Coupons that can be exchanged for food at certain stores • i. Denied to illegal aliens and people who do not look for a job

13. ii. Funding reduced by 1996 law • iii. Food Stamps now usually are issued in a debit card system rather than actual paper stamps

14. e. TAX CREDITS • i. EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT: Credit that reduces the amount of taxes that families below a certain income level must pay

15. ii. CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT: Gives Parents money back on their taxes for child care expenses • 1. Anyone who has someone under the age of 13 they must care for is eligible

16. f. MEDICARE: Gov’t program that provides medical care (Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society, 1965) • i. Mostly for those over 65 who are blind or disabled • ii. Most recipients of TANF are eligible for Medicare

17. g. MEDICAID: Medical care for all ages if you are on welfare