The Abuse of Welfare

Table of Contents
Chapter Page
I. Abstract …………………………………………………………….. 3
II. Introduction …………………………………………………………….. 4
III. Purpose and History of the Welfare System …………………………….. 4
IV. Effects of Welfare Abuse ……….……………………………………. 5
V. Alternatives and Solutions …………………………………………….. 6
VI. Conclusion …………………………………………………………….. 7
VII. Reference Page ……………………………………………………... 8

Abstract
This paper discusses how American citizens blatantly abuse the country’s welfare system by simply staying on it two long therefore becoming dependant on the government for their only source of income to support their family. It explains the intended purpose of the welfare system. It will also go back and look at when the welfare system was established in the United States. The negative effects of welfare abuse, concerning those who are and who are not receiving government assistance, will also be discussed. And finally, this paper will examine different alternatives and solutions to the current issue of people in the United States misusing the welfare system.

With the economy in the horrible shape that it 's in today and many people losing their jobs, especially in the government sector, government budgeting should be done with a little more thoughtfulness. Yet the government still sets aside an obscene about of money to feed and shelter dependent people who have no desire to obtain employment and intend use the government as their primary provider. Although there are families and disabled people in desperate need of government assistance, there are also those who abuse the advantages that come with living in our great country. This abuse negatively impacts people who receive financial assistance from the government and also those who do not. Stipulations should be excessively stricter for those receiving any government-funded assistance. The misuse of this federal financial support occurs widely and effortlessly, enabling people to abuse the system instead of utilizing it how it was meant to. The most regularly abused and common form of government assistance in America is the welfare system. The welfare system is a general title given to financial support programs that are funded by tax dollars to lend a helping hand to those that can prove they need it. Those in which the program was intended to assist were people who are unable to support themselves or their family because of certain hardship situations. These situations include unemployment, underemployment, unskilled labor capacity or other unfortunate circumstances. Services and benefits provided by the United States welfare system include direct cash, support services, tax breaks, specific goods, or any other measure that assists individuals and families that can meet the criteria of welfare reception. (www.welfareinfo.org/uses/) The system was created with the intention of providing temporary support to people suffering through a financial crisis. It was suppose to aid them as the got back on their feet. It was not meant to permanently sustain as a person’s primary source of income when the welfare system was founded over seventy years ago.
In the early ages of this country, there were no government-funded economic programs designed that assisted the poor. The only safety net from extreme poverty at this time was charitable donations from churches and other private organizations. It wasn’t until 1930 's when the United States implemented programs that aided the less fortunate. During this period in U.S history, The Great Depression was taking place in which more than sixty percent of households were living in poverty through no fault of their own. The Social Security Act of 1935 was established by the United States government and through the states, was administered financial assistance for children living in poverty along with other dependent individuals. (Katz 1996). This system assisted many with the survival of The Great Depression and up to this day helps many people survive. The welfare system was meant to guide people back into the workforce. However, it has since been manipulated causing several negative repercussions to several people.

References
Katz, M. B. (1996). In the Shadow of the Poorhouse: A Social History of Welfare in America. Basic Books Publishing www.welfareinfo.org/uses/ . (2010)

References: Katz, M. B. (1996). In the Shadow of the Poorhouse: A Social History of Welfare in America. Basic Books Publishing www.welfareinfo.org/uses/ . (2010)