Welfare is a public assistance program that provides at least a minimum amount of economic security to people whose incomes are insufficient to maintain an adequate standard of living. These programs generally include such benefits as financial aid to individuals, subsidized medical care, and stamps that are used to purchase food. The modern U.S. welfare system dates back to the Great Depression of the 1930’s. During the worst parts of the Depression, about one-fourth …showed first 75 words of 792 total…

…showed last 75 words of 792 total…American Moment Series. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991. Cloward, Richard A., ed. Regulating the Poor The Functions of the Public Welfare. London: Vintage Books, 1993. NCAP on the web. National Center for Political Analysis 17 Nov. 1999 http://www.ncpa.org/pi/welfare Pear, Robert. “10,000 Welfare Recipients Hired by Federal Agencies.” New York Times. March 1, 1999 Policy.com. 19 May 1997. The Policy News & Information Service. 15 Nov. 1999 http://www.policy.com/issuewk Pont, Pete du. “Uneven Welfare Revolution Results.” Washington Times. Jan 16, 1998