In response, the government established social security programs to avoid further economic deterioration of many of its citizens in the future.

The Social Security Act of 1935

First off is the Social Security Act which was enacted to provide for the general welfare by establishing a system of federal old-age and by enabling several states to make more adequate provisions of the following:

?aged persons

?blind persons

?dependent and crippled children

?maternal and child welfare

?public health

States are encourage, among others, to provide for the administration of their unemployment compensation, establish a Social Security Board and raise revenues.

The Act then launched federal grants to support state welfare programs for low-income elderly and families with children.

The program for the elderly later on evolved into a Supplemental Security Income or SSI which is a nationwide supplement program funded not by the social security taxes but by the general fund. It gives financial benefits to the aged, blind and disabled people who have little or no income to meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter.

Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC)

The program for families with children, on the other hand, later on became Aid to Families with Dependent Children or AFDC until 1997 when it was replaced by Temporary Assistance of Needy Families. However, many still calls it by its former name, the AFDC or simply ?welfare?

The new ?welfare? provides for a more ?limited entitlement to welfare benefits by placing permanent ceilings on the amount of federal funding for welfare, and gave each state a block grant of money to help run its welfare program.

Among the significant changes brought about by the new law include:

?federal funds may only be used to provide a total of five years of aid in a lifetime of the family

?aliens are now totally excluded from receiving any Supplemental Security Income benefits

Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996

The enactment of this new law further limits the number of people allowed to receive SSI disability benefits. Under this law, if the material factor in the applicant's disability consists of alcoholism or addiction, such applicant will not be entitled to welfare benefits.

These are just some of the laws that people who are in need may count on in America. Frequently, these laws are complex and may be beyond laymen's understanding. More frequently still, applications for welfare benefits are denied at the first instance.

A welfare benefits attorney in your area may shed light in some of the gray parts of the law to help you qualify. He can help not only the applicant but also those whose welfare benefits stopped from coming.