Social Welfare System

Life is hard for many. Not everyone was born with a gold, silver, or even plastic spoon in their mouths. Not everyone was born with a sharp brain. Not everyone was born motivated to work hard. Not everyone was born with an aversion to meth.

Because we decided civilization is better than savagery, we made governments. And one of the things some governments do is run social welfare systems. The set structures to take money from the well-to-do and give that money to the less-well-to-do. Most people support the concept...but most people disagree on how much should be Robin Hooded.

Social welfare systems provide assistance to people who need the help for pretty much any reason. And yes, that includes drug addicts. You’ll have to prove you need the help before you’ll get any benefits, which can be easier said than done. But in general, this means showing your income is low enough to prove you’re needy enough, in addition to other factors.

In the U.S., a social working case worker will be the one to give you a thumbs up or down on whether you should get these bennies. Every state does it differently, so...it can get confusing. In cases like the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program (TANF), the federal government gives TANF money to states to disperse.

What kind of benefits are we talking about here? Food stamps, health care, child care, housing help, and unemployment benefits if you’re in between jobs after being laid off. Less common ones are disaster relief assistance, educational assistance, agricultural loans, and veteran loans. An all-around safety net and helping hand from good ol’ Uncle Sam.

Hugely debated political topic, as so many people became poor for disparate reasons, some totally not their fault...and some totally their fault.