The Welfare System The welfare system is run by the government that runs different programs that was originally intended to help the unemployed or underemployed (Welfare Info, n.d.). It went from just helping those two groups and branched significantly into helping low income families, disabled, and single parent families be able to live the best life possible. Some of the programs include "Medicaid, Food Stamps, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Head Start, Work Study, and Medicare" (Welfare Info, n.d.). Another very commonly known one is Social Security which is mainly for seniors when they retire. The history of the welfare system is quite interesting. Many years ago before the Welfare system had even began; the colonies actually imported the British Poor Laws (Welfare Info, n.d.). This basically separated those that could work and those that couldn't work due to their age or health. During the 1800's the US tried to continue work with the government so they could better benefit the poor but it wasn't until President Franklin D. Roosevelt the Social Security Act began in 1935 (Welfare Info, n.d.). With this act, it was able to launch programs to help many more people than just the elderly or those that couldn't work because of health reasons. During Bill Clinton's Presidency, he signed the "Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act" and with this, the federal government gives an annual lump sum to the states to help the poor (Welfare Info, n.d.). In exchange the states had to meet certain criteria to ensure that those being assisted are in fact receiving assistance and are making progress from receiving welfare to go back to work. Each of the programs that have been developed to help individuals and/or their families, there has to be a public policy that is implemented. Think of them as the guidelines, rules and regulations in order to use the services. Medicaid – This program is actually the third largest source of health insurance in the United States (Almanac of Policy Issues, n.d.). Overall there are three different things that Medicaid will assist with: "Health insurance for low-income families with children and people with disabilities, Long-term care for older Americans and individuals with disabilities, Supplemental coverage for low-income Medicare beneficiaries for services not covered by Medicare" (e.g., outpatient prescription drugs) (Almanac of Policy Issues, n.d.). In order to qualify for Medicaid you must meet some of the requirements:
· Pregnant Women - You may be eligible if you are married or single. If you are on Medicaid when your child is born, both you and your child will be covered (CMS.gov, n.d.).
· Children and Teenagers – "If you are the parent or guardian of a child who is 18 years old or younger and your family's income is limited, or if your child is sick enough to need nursing home care, but could stay home with good quality care at home. If you are a teenager living on your own, the state may allow you to apply for Medicaid on your own behalf or any adult may apply for you. Many states also cover children up to age 21" (CMS.gov, n.d.).
· Person who is Aged, Blind, and/or Disabled - "If you are aged (65 years old or older), blind, or disabled and have limited income and resources. If you are terminally ill and want to get hospice services. If you are aged, blind, or disabled; live in a nursing home; and have limited income and resources. If you are aged, blind, or disabled and need nursing home care, but can stay at home with special community care services. If you are eligible for Medicare and have limited income and resources" (CMS.gov, n.d.).
· Other Situations - "If you are leaving welfare and need health coverage. If you are a family with children under age 18 and have limited income and resources. (You do not need to be receiving a welfare check.) If you have very high medical bills, which you cannot pay (and you are pregnant, under age 18 or over age 65, blind, or disabled)" (CMS.gov, n.d.). Food stamps – This program is for those that don't make enough and therefore need assistance to get food. In order to be eligible you must meet a few requirements:
· Your household cannot have more than $2,000 in resources (Social Security, 2008).
· You must have a limited amount of income and although you may have an income
· Things such as automobiles may count against your income (depending on how it's used).
· Other Resources include cash, bank accounts and other property are also taken into consideration. SSI - Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes) that is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income; and it provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter (USA.gov, 2012). In order to receive SSI you must meet the following requirements:
· 65 and older
· Blind and/or disabled
· Have limited income/resources
· US Citizen & Reside in a US state (the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands), Applies for any other cash benefits or payments for which he or she may be eligible (for example, pensions, Social Security benefits)
· AND gives SSA permission to contact any financial institution and request any financial records about yourself (USA.gov, 2012). Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides temporary cash and medical help for families in need. Some families participate in the WorkFirst Program. The WorkFirst Program helps participants find and keep jobs (Department of Social & Health Services, n.d.). To be eligible for TANF, your family must have resources of $1,000 or less. Resources are things like:
· Checking and savings accounts
· Stocks, bonds, or mutual funds
· Vehicle equity over $5,000
(Department of Social & Health Services, n.d.). Medicare - Generally, Medicare is available for people age 65 or older, younger people with disabilities and people with End Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant) (Medicare.gov, n.d.).
Social Security Disability – "To qualify for benefits, you must first have worked in jobs covered by Social Security. Then you must have a medical condition that meets Social Security's definition of disability" (USA.gov, 2011). Most of the benefits that you will receive continue until you are able to work again (if applicable), even with a part time job, you have to be careful so you stay in a financial bracket. The overall goals that have shaped the welfare system to be able to help the public. Families that are struggling to get food on the table, those that are homeless to get a roof over their heads and a couple of meals, children that are abused and neglected to get into a foster home that is safe and supportive, all of these are the basic goals in order to help people to live a healthier more meaningful life. The objectives for each of the programs are more in depth than the goals are. "The Food Stamp Act defined the essential objectives of the program as: using the Nation's food supply, removing surplus, and promoting the nutritional well- being of low-income people" (USDA, n.d.). Between 1974 to 1994 there was a huge growth in the food stamp program because of food price inflation which sky rocketed the need for food assistance to low income houses. Because of this inflation, making sure that low-income families receive proper assistance is a top priority. Again in the 1980's another expansion hit which expanded eligibility, lowered the work wages, family structures began to change (more single parent homes) and the job market decreased (USDA, n.d.). Jobs slowly decreased even more and there is an estimated 28 million people in March of 1994 that have needed this program, because of this, it is highly imperative that the food stamp program is available. With the change in the family structure, Medicaid is also imperative. Making sure that pregnant women receive help, the disabled receive health insurance, children also being taken care of are vital. Being able to understand both Medicare and Medicaid is so important to know what has worked and what hasn't worked and seeing what is still needed for assistance and who needs it. Seeing that the poor receives assistance and the disabled receives services so they can live an active and healthy life is important. " Medicaid provides health coverage for 39 million children and parents and long-term care for 8 million individuals with disabilities and premium assistance and long-term care for over 6 million low-income elderly" (UTH, n.d.). One of the biggest social problems that has come through the past couple of decades are pregnancies and women that are pregnant that cannot work due to health reasons and/or complications or teen pregnancies. With this being said, it's not surprising that the biggest population for Medicaid is pregnant women (133%). Children under 6 (133%) are tied for first place and then school Age Children (100%) and Elderly and Disabled Adults (74%) (UTH, n.d.). Social Security Income objectives are to mainly be able to create a faster and more efficient way to work on the cases for all generations whether it be online on in person services (SocialSecurity.gov, n.d.). Being able to improve the proficiency from the application process to the scheduled visits to review a case is vital so that everything happens in a timely manner. Meeting the needs of those that need the SSI service, is highly important because this is often the only income that the baby boomer generation may depend on, so allowing them quick and efficient service will help the process right from the beginning.
TANF is mainly for those that need help to care for those in their own home, so being able to meet these needs is important. Understanding their situation and bringing them the resources they need or bringing the resources to them will help not only in their home life but also in their work life as well. "Helping to reduce the dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work and marriage" will help strengthen the family unit so they can live a more independent life (ACF, 2011). The policies that have been implemented have played a tremendous impact in the world as we know it. There is so much help out there for so many different groups, that even if you don't qualify for one thing, there are so many resources that can point you to a direction that will be able to help. For mothers that feel that they have nowhere to turn to, there are programs specifically designed for single mothers like TANF, or Food Stamps or Medicaid that will assist in making sure they receive the benefits to help both themselves and/or their children to live a healthy life. Those that decide to utilize these services understand that it is there for their help, but also realize that there is going to be some work that has to be put in on their end, such as looking for work. These policies that have been set in place give general guidelines of what you need to become eligible and what is to be expected when you enter these programs. This gives a more smooth transition throughout the entire process so they know what is to come ahead of them, and not to be blindsided by any 'surprises' along the way. The strengths of the policies are that they know what is to be expected. Knowing that you have to have a certain amount of income to be eligible for food stamps is a guideline for those that might want to abuse the system and try to find a loop hole so they can receive extra money. For TANF those that really need assistance vs. those that don't qualify, this ensures that the right people receive this assistance. Not everyone can qualify SSI and those that really don't have an income, or are disabled are eligible, instead of those that make $2,000 dollars a month but want some extra income for food, or clothing or spending money. These are all benefits that help keep our system flowing and providing the assistance that is needed to those who need it. Some of the weaknesses of the policies is that they are not always full proof. If you want to find a way around food stamps, there will always be a way. Lying about your income is illegal but so many of them do it. Falsifying the objects you own in your house (a flat screen TV, 3 cars, trust funds), I would hope that people are honest but truth is, sometimes they aren't. Being able to sell food stamps to another person, there is just no way to tell anything anymore. Falsifying information about a disability (Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, PTSD, ADHD etc.) is an easy way to fool both doctors and the system and there is no ‘fool proof' way of proving any of this. When individuals find out that someone is selling food stamps, or falsifying information, it really discourages and upsets those that need the assistance because then people feel like 'our system is a failure'. I've heard many people say "well then I'll just tell them this" or "if they can say that, why can't I". The system is not fool proof but it's come a long way from what it used to be.
A. Based on your research [Analytic descriptive analysis and Value Critical analysis (SWOT)] What recommendations does the literature suggest for improving the system? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_analysis
Human service professionals can help move the system forward by listening to those that need assistance. Not to sit and say "you're lying" but to really investigate all aspects, financial, emotional, physical and mental areas (with the help of doctors, psychologists, finance departments etc.) so we know that what we are doing is working. Giving brief surveys for those that use the system would be an idea to throw out there so we know what works for most of the populations and what doesn't. Throwing out surveys for those that don't use the system and what they see on the 'outside' is also another idea so we know any specific target population that needs to be addressed more so we can start organizations for these individuals. Checking up on the clients as often as possible and keeping that constant flow of communication between the client and the service is so incredibly important so that it's still ran as business but also more personable and people know that we are here to help them and we do care as individuals. The welfare system is a touchy subject for everyone, but it does work, if you let it. If you are honest and in need of help, it is there. Whether you are elder, disabled, pregnant, homeless, a runaway, there are programs out there to help. There is so much work that needs to be done still, but there has been so much work and effort that has been done in order to help each and every population get the resources they need to live a better life for themselves and/or their children.

References
ACF. (2011). About TANF. Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/opa/fact_sheets/tanf_factsheet.html
Almanac of Policy Issues. (n.d.). Medicaid. Retrieved from http://www.policyalmanac.org/health/medicaid.shtml
CMS.gov. (n.d.). Are You Eligible. Retrieved from https://www.cms.gov/MedicaidEligibility/02_AreYouEligible_.asp
Department of Social & Health Services. (n.d.). TANF and Support Services. Retrieved from http://www.dshs.wa.gov/onlinecso/tanf_support_services.shtml
Medicaid. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.uth.tmc.edu/ama_tma/ethics_in_action/20060104_lunstroth.pdf
Social Security.Gov. (n.d.). Summary of our goals and objectives. Retrieved from http://www.socialsecurity.gov/asp/SumGoalsObj.pdf
Social Security. (2012). Food Stamp Facts. Retrieved from http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10101.html#a0=1
The Food Stamp Program. (n.d.). The History of Welfare. Retrieved from http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/aer773/aer773b.pdf
WelfareInfo.org. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.welfareinfo.org/history/
USA.gov. (2012). Supplemental Security Income Home Page. Retrieved from http://www.ssa.gov/ssi/
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from ttps://questions.medicare.gov/
USA.gov. (2011). How You Qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits. Retrieved from http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dqualify.htm .