How Does the Welfare System Work?
Question by hughmanwho: How does the welfare system work?
Hello, I’m arguing politics with a friend and trying to figure out a little bit of information on the current welfare system in the US.
What are the requirements to qualify for welfare? Is it just not making enough money? Do you have to have a disability?
How much money per year does the welfare system give to the people receiving it?
Sources would be great if you have them.
Thank you!
Best answer:
Answer by Mahatma Gandhi
Well I’m not an expert, but it seems that you just don’t have to have a job. And the government will just give you money. It seems ridiculous to me. I think the system needs to be totally overhauled.
Answer by LuckyCharm
Well, the “welfare system” in th US is somewhat complicated. There are several different areas that are overseen by various state and federal agencies. Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, Food Stamps, Child Care, Housing, and Heating Assistance programs are a few of them. For some programs like Social Security Disability you must be disabled to qualify. To be considered qualified can be a very difficult task, it takes many people several years to qualify, in the mean time they are forced to suffer.For other programs like food stamps and Medicaid there are income limits and brackets that define how much assistance you can receive. Many Americans have an idea of Welfare patrons living high off of the system while other tax payers work that is simply false. I worked for a state welfare agency and I saw many people who were truly suffering that were unable to be helped because they did not meet the qualifications. Off course there are some people who will take advantage of any system, but for the most part they are few and far between and the Benefit Specialists work hard to keep the system from being abused. People must renew on a 3 month basis, must have forms filled out by their employers, landlords, daycare providers etc. Also, money is never just given out in the form of cash it is in food stamps, or in vouchers to landlords, daycare providers, etc. If you are interested in statistics they are available on the FDA, Dept. of Health and Social Security websites.
Also, no having a job is not good enough. There are limits on how long people can receive benefits if they are not working, no more than three months in a three year period of time.
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