Question

Describe the U.S.’s different social safety nets and social insurance programs. How does “means-testing” affect participation? How does redistribution relate to these programs?

Answer 1

The social safety net of the US is made up of different welfare programs to protect the low incomw Americans.There are 13 categories of social safety net programs .Some of them are Temporary assistance to needy families(TANF),The Supplemental ,Nutrition, Assistance ,Program(SNAP),The earned income tax credit(EITC),Medicaid,Special Supplement Food Program For Women Infants and Children((WIC) etc.The major US social insurance program are Social security,Medicare,Unemployment insurance,Workers' compensation, and Disability insurance.

Means testing is to evaluate whether an individual or family fulfils the criterion for government asistance and decides whether the individual or family can carry on without the assistance from the government.Means testing would look into the annual income of all the social security beneficiaries and determine whether the individual or family would receive a reduced benefit or no benefit from the government.

The distribution of benefits from social safety net and social insurance program have changed since 1990.The poorest households, households with children below the age of 18,and households with disabled individuals receive the largest benefit.Between 1990 and 2014,benefits received by non- elderly , non- disabled households have increased in the form of non cash assistance like food assistance , health insurance etc.Elderly and disabled continue to get benefits with little change.