Chapter 4

*I am continuing my class notes from my first Human services course with what I think is Chapter 4.

Chapter 4

Knowledge of Social Welfare Programs

*Welfare reform is a current program involving TANF (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) which is a means-tested program based on need. It was created by the *Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act to end welfare as we know it. It was to get people things and/or jobs and it became a law August 22, 1996 and it is effective.

Welfare now requires people to work for time limited assistance-no public assistance just for being needy. TANF replaced ADC-AFDC. In 1998 the Job Training programs gave opportunities to give education and training in vocational jobs.

Major changes

1. Assistance is no longer a federal entitlement and allowed only on it for five (5) years on assistance.

2. States and territories do own regulations in programs to create and must be compliant to government. Picture an umbrella the federal government being the top that protects you from the weather and the handle being the states. The department of health and human services changed this; *devolution starts to be more creative in states. Each state is given a *block grant to cover benefits and administrative costs. Could be altered due to certain circumstances. There are annual cost sharing and empowerment. Federally funded state contributions are made. A maintenance amount with a (5) five-year time limit was allowed to families (negative competition) states can limit lower philosophically speaking.

Children can be cared for in own home with parents. Reduce dependancy on needy parents. "Welfare dependent mentality" Make people work and make it attractive. (a) work first mentality-job promotion over college education or training. Limited- some form if worked for (2) two years. Negative sanctions and not waiting to cut-off.

*Human Capital Strategies increase persons self-value skills and improve working in jobs. Can't get jobs if there are no jobs.

*Welfare/Workforce- individuals receive assistance "community service work" - when unable to find a real job. $2.00/hr. working under a grant and unable to find work or even menial labor. In the long run creating unemployment in a way even though to instill a good work ethic. Will learn skills with the on-the-job training like for teenage mothers to be in school and still live at home. Vocational hours vary if don't work. Will face a reduction in benefits. Receive 30 hours per week working: a few exceptions that have small children who are six (6) and younger may not work.

Encouraging and maintaining two-parent families; child-support services filed for (domestic area) if abuse is at present not given if not filed for family responsibility given. Prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancies-family caps are given = additional children - no more money added; responsibility to care for children. Teen parent- live at home and stay at school-break negative cycle - can't live at home must find suitable housing and enter job training.

*Time Limits

States can raise beyond 5-year limit

Use own money for families in programs

Use other sources - social service block grants

How effective is this program - everyone is not the same (not homogenuous group) DO NOT STEREOTYPE!

Obstactles of Individuals in Programs

1. make low wages if employed

2. not enough jobs

3. not enough child care

4. not enough transportation

5. not enough health insurance - Medicaid

6. disabilities - lower incomes - increases risks of physical health issues - low income may lead to anxiety / learning disabilities

7. lower educational abilities lack high school education - 50th increases in domestic violence occurs. Selective benefits - stigmatized - opposite

*Social Security System- universal system or an insurance program providing limited payments to elderly persons who have been employed and have taxes deducted from wages matched by their employers, paid into a fair amount of distribution and also for survivors' and disabled.

FICA- you paid into- withheld on your check. Payroll taxes support social security; 12.4 payroll tax; employee/employer- self-employed 6.2% each up to $90,000 (wage cap) Self-employed (create your own business) still pays. Social Security possibly being upped and this is split evenly between them.

*problem- can't raise on income alone but still be taxed on full income. More benefits should be given.

As you work you earn credits that count toward eligibility for future Social Security benefits (4 credits per year - 40 credits for 10 years of work) to qualify. This has probably changed now since it has been awhile since I had this course. Fewer credits are needed for disability or survivors' benefits. Amount of earnings are adjusted to earn credits.

Types of Benefits

*Retirement- Government retirement- based on your work history; individual pay mark it received more - rate of return is better for lower paid people. Was never to be more than only- be pensions to sole support - did reduce poverty

*Disability- any age - exceptions - half credits family protection plan - disabled and survivors' - 18 or more on parents history. 62 years earliest retired, but reduced benefit ever reached full retirement. Designed to steady employment.

*Supplemental Security Income- people of all ages - a program administered in conjunction with Social Security program. Assistance to the aged and blind. People individual for permanent and total disabilities that meet eligibility requirements. State and federal governments and a means-tested program; federally administered program - unable to survive on Social Security only. Funded by general tax revenues and Social Security taxes. It provides cash to have clothes, food, shelter, and basic needs. Long-term disabilities, as if you cannot move into another job at all, as an example back injuries.

*General Assistance- public assistance program that provide financial aid (grants) to persons who are in need but do not qualify for federal authorized program. Single persons- couples without children. Those waiting for disabilty. The elderly who do not qualify for Social Security or Social Security Insurance (I think the I. stands for this). no federal funds - state and locally funded. Eligibility criteria vary between state and other states. Payments- limited for short amount of time. Other programs are still available if known about like the free-lunch program. This is also a means-tested program.

*Food Stamps Program- vouchers- credit/debit cards. To improve diets of low income households and increasing their food purchasing ability (service to help) provide a minimally nutritious diet. Cannot buy cigarettes, paper products or diapers. (Diapers may be allowed now). It's not the most poor people receive food stamps that has reduced hunger and malnutrition substantially. (In 2004 benefits 86.03% benefits to be paid out).

Federally funded programs

People who received for the household through TANF were disabled or employed part time, low-wage earners, homeless, elderly. Abled bodied adults with certain limited exceptions must meet a work requirement for family size, income, resources. Illegal aliens- no food stamps eligible on TANF due to cutbacks.

WIC Programs- low income people - health care and educational and nutritional counseling. Cash is not provided. More specific eligibility is heightened.

Health Care Programs - Insurance

*Medicare- social insurance program; broad entitlement like Social Security and get at age 65 - medicare tax on paycheck - managed care (HMO) limited benefits - manage cost and insurance and quality service for Parts A and B - a mandatory hospital service - payroll taxes. Part B beneficaries pay premium - outpatient/physician visits; Options provided- prescription plans and coverages 65 and older - on medications. PSEA sponsors claims to teachers at retirement age.

*Medicaid- is a means-tested for low income people provided with ADC. Elderly; public funded- operates on a managed care. Contracts are followed by providers (ONE CONTRACT WITH GOVERNMENT).

Homelessness not the sole issue to persons. Other factors contribute to this. Causes are family conflict, substance abuse, unemployment, low income, mental illness and physical illness. No single pattern to approach to help for the homelessness.

EVICTION PROTECTION SERVICE or PREVENTION to protect or prevent eviction from homes. Sometimes tenants do not know all their rights to shelter.

* Private and Public programs

1. Neighborhood Legal Services- private, non-profit; free legal services - Civil cases to neighbors in need. Sometimes even probono work for lawyers.

2. Diversion services- counseling/ resources at risk of becoming homeless are provided. Offer money for back rent, counseling for family conflict, will check in for extra energy assistance.

3. Red Cross ---- Salvation Army- Prevent homelessness and service needed and provided.

4. Shelters- hotels, community centers, covenant houses, WIC; find ways to transition family back to society.

5. Food programs - pantries and soup kitchens

6. Health care- heat/cold weather and are they eating right and able to perform personal care.

7. Substance Abuse program- will be referred to shelters and will refuse homeless people when use is extreme a provision of Social services- please let know what is available- difficulty is not knowing who needs help in families - education for children (at-risk) goes here. Parents dealing with 'Survival skills' - tutoring could be offered - "try to promote a work ethic" from Erik Erikson.

Personal Storage Facilities - could be provided give these to needy an address to receive mail.

End of Chapter 4- This was our Mid-term point.