Poverty and the Effects of Social Policy
| Poverty and the Effects of Social Policy | Shasta McLaws | Axia | | |
|
The policies concerning a person’s ability to receive poverty related assistance are mainly governed by the federal poverty guidelines or income limits. These guidelines help by determining what an acceptable living wage would be for a family or an individual to live off of. For the Department of Human Services to justify helping an individual or family with food stamps, child care, Medicaid, or other related services; they must make under a certain amount of money. For an average family of four, in order to qualify for assistance through the Department of Health and Welfare, the family as a whole cannot make more than two thousand four hundred and forty four dollars in a given month (Department of Health and Welfare). While it is an undeniable fact that the Department of Health and Welfare is offering a helpful service to the American people who live in poverty, there is still plenty of work to be done. Welfare beneficiaries have a long hard road ahead of them if they are to become self sufficient and learn how to manage their financial situation better. Because people fall into the cycle of poverty for many different reasons, it is difficult to determine what sort of programs will be of the best assistance in improving living situations. Although a lack of education and or the ability to acquire helpful job skills are a few of the main causes. These discrepancies should be some of the easiest issues to fix, however, because there is such a large population in need of immediate assistance, these secondary needs get set aside and often remain unmet. Far too often single parents may have a difficult time finding work because a vast majority of potential employers are
|
The policies concerning a person’s ability to receive poverty related assistance are mainly governed by the federal poverty guidelines or income limits. These guidelines help by determining what an acceptable living wage would be for a family or an individual to live off of. For the Department of Human Services to justify helping an individual or family with food stamps, child care, Medicaid, or other related services; they must make under a certain amount of money. For an average family of four, in order to qualify for assistance through the Department of Health and Welfare, the family as a whole cannot make more than two thousand four hundred and forty four dollars in a given month (Department of Health and Welfare). While it is an undeniable fact that the Department of Health and Welfare is offering a helpful service to the American people who live in poverty, there is still plenty of work to be done. Welfare beneficiaries have a long hard road ahead of them if they are to become self sufficient and learn how to manage their financial situation better. Because people fall into the cycle of poverty for many different reasons, it is difficult to determine what sort of programs will be of the best assistance in improving living situations. Although a lack of education and or the ability to acquire helpful job skills are a few of the main causes. These discrepancies should be some of the easiest issues to fix, however, because there is such a large population in need of immediate assistance, these secondary needs get set aside and often remain unmet. Far too often single parents may have a difficult time finding work because a vast majority of potential employers are
References: CLASP. (2010). The Federal Government Should Invest in Disconnected Youth. Retrieved from http://www.clasp.org/issues/pages?type=youth&id=0006 The Department of Health and Welfare. (2009). Retrieved from http://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Food/CashAssistance/FederalPovertyGuidelines/tabid/311/default.aspx Welfare Information. (2010). Welfare Reform-Social Welfare Change. Retrieved from http://www.welfareinfo.org/reform/