By Henry Akers, Emily Turner, Meredith Eudailey, Sarah Fortune Welfare By Henry Akers, Emily Turner, Meredith Eudailey, Sarah Fortune
Definition Welfare – the provision of a minimal level of well-being and social support for all citizens, sometimes referred to as public aid. Includes Medicaid, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplementary Security Income, and Children’s Health Insurance Programs Currently controlled by both federal and state governments
1996 Welfare Reform Act Also known as “Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA)” Focused more on workforce development, which encourages employment among the poor Provided aid for 2 years Included Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Required that a portion of the able-bodied adults work or prepare for work in order to receive welfare
Recent Changes In 2012 the Obama administration waived federal requirement for a portion of TANF recipients to engage in work activities States can apply for waivers to this requirement as long as they are finding other ways to increase employment
The Problem Federal requirement to find a job within 2 years to receive aid has caused some to go jobless and without aid (this has also led to an increase in child poverty) Federal funding of welfare did not change to compensate for the recent economic crisis Various federal requirements for state programs have been overbearing/unnecessary
State Control: Pros People making decisions are closer to the people they affect Can more effectively use trial and error
State Control: Cons Lack resources/funding No regulations or structure Gives states authority to destroy it altogether
Federal Control: Pros Have more than enough resources/funding Would simplify the system
Federal Government: Cons Doesn’t allow for specialization/flexibility Any changes would take a much longer time to implement
Solution: Federal Government Mostly state-run but Federal government plays a small role Federal government gives funding to each state based on its individual poverty rate Federal government has no role in regulating the system (besides requiring that there is one) Federal government reviews state-made welfare programs to ensure they are providing at least a minimum level of well-being
Solution: State Governments State governments decide which programs and policies to include based on the state’s needs State governments are required to administer drug tests on all welfare recipients State governments need to make sure that recipients are at least looking for work
Citations “State-Federal Welfare Relationships - Social Welfare History Project.”Social Welfare History Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2014. “Is Devolution Working? Federal and State Roles in Welfare.” The Brookings Institution. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2014. “Welfare Information.” US Welfare System. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2014