The welfare state in the US pertains to institutions that are managed and supported by the government. These institutions look to maintain economic security, the lessening of social suffering like poverty, and universal resources for self-development. Liberalism has been the guiding principle behind the establishment of the welfare state in the US. The welfare state is designed for people who are victims through no fault of their own, such as some people who are poor or those who are sick and cannot support themselves. The birth of the welfare state in the US has been credited to President Frank Delano Roosevelt as opposed to any Christian or Social democracy influences, unlike in Europe.

Timeline History of Welfare

May 1932 - President Hoover and the US Congress come together to shift some relief efforts for states and local communities to the federal level. These relief efforts were designed to help Americans deal with the effects of the Great Depression. As a result, the Reconstruction Finance Cooperation is created.

May 12, 1932 - The Congress passes legislation that creates the Federal Emergency Relief Program. When this program ended in 1936, $3 billion in relief funds had been handed out.

November 1933 - President Roosevelt establishes the Civil Works Administration in reply to worries that direct relief efforts from the federal government were indoctrinating Americans into relying on “give me” mentality.

January 3, 1935 - President Roosevelt suggests that direct relief from the federal government is replaced with a public works program from the federal government, which Congress will pass into law in April of the same year. The Works Progress Administration begins its life.

1939 - The 1939 Relief Act is passed. It imposes an 18-month time limit on an individual’s inclusion in the WPA jobs program.

1940 - Research shows that only 100,000 out of 750,000 workers fired from the WPA jobs program succeeded at getting hired in the private sector inside of two to three months.

1964 - The Economic Opportunity Act that President Johnson calls his “War on Poverty” is passed in Congress. The social programs of the president get the nickname of the “Great Society.”

1988 - The Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Act is passed. The purpose of this law is to help poor people move away from welfare and into job opportunities.

1990 - The Aid to Families with Dependent Children dollar’s purchasing power drops by a 42-percent average over the last 20 years.

1996 - The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act is passed in the Congress. Welfare reform is passed in the Congress, but this time with a lifetime restriction on AFDC payments.

Forms of Welfare

There are three recognized forms of welfare; subsidy, voucher and direct cash welfare. Subsidy welfare is when the government provides financial assistance to struggling industries to help stop their decline. Voucher welfare comes in the form of printed pieces of paper (certificates, tickets) that consumers can redeem like cash for specific reasons, such as food or housing. Direct cash welfare is simply a cash grant directly to an individual.

Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility for people to begin receiving welfare is based on a few different factors. Factors like net income, the size of your family, and any emergency situation are all considered when applying for welfare. Emergency situations are things like unemployment, homelessness, pregnancy or abortion. The status of these different eligibility factors will not be the same for every person who is applying for welfare help. A case worker is assigned to a welfare-seeking person to evaluate exactly what the individual’s specific needs are.

• Information on Welfare: This website informs people of what the eligibility requirements are for welfare.
• Eligibility in New York: This website provides information on the eligibility requirements for child welfare in New York.
• Nevada Eligibility: This website provides information on eligibility requirements for people in Nevada.

How To Apply

Applying for welfare starts with a call to the local Employment and Human Services office, and then making an appointment with a case worker to go to an orientation. Talk about the different welfare programs to see which one makes the most sense for you. Coordinate with the case worker about what you need to bring to future appointments and meetings. If you lack any statements or documents, ask for them. Bring this required information with you to the next appointment. Finally, inquire about a timeframe on the outcome of the welfare application, and call your case worker if there are any necessary questions.

Additional Resources

• Welfare for Kids and Families: This website provides information for the Administration for Children & Families, which includes information on programs for kids and families.
• Welfare Law Overview: This website from Cornell University Law School explains the finer points of welfare law in the US.
• Welfare Discussed: This website from the Brookings Institution posts articles and commentary on welfare-related issues.
• Social Services Directory: This website provides information on social programs and services at every level of government.
• Medicine for the Needy: This website provides details on patient assistance programs for the needy who cannot afford their medicine otherwise.
• Human Services Welfare: This website offers information on community development and human services from all over the Internet.
• Social Welfare History: This website gives you information on the history of social service and social reform organizations in the US.
• Child Welfare Source: This website California State University provides a resource library on child welfare issues.
• US Department of Labor Website: This website presents information on compliance assistance with regards to employee benefit plans.
• Fraud in Welfare: This website alerts the public to stories of fraud related to the welfare system.
• Health Coverage and Welfare: This website takes a look at expanding health coverage in the after-reform world.
• Fraud in Welfare and Reporting It: This website provides people with the opportunity to report welfare fraud.
• Child Welfare Programs: This website offers details on the myriad of available child welfare programs.
• Transitioning from Welfare: This website gives information on the Florida State initiative to have people move away from welfare.
• Welfare Programs for Work: This CBO website provides ideas on how to improve work welfare programs.