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What Are the Different Qualifications for Welfare?

Marlene Garcia
Marlene Garcia

Qualifications for welfare vary by region and depend upon the type of social service assistance needed. Basic qualifications include total household income that falls below the poverty level in the area, and special circumstances, such as unusually high medical bills. Other factors that determine qualifications for welfare include the number of people in the family, especially children, pregnancy, homelessness, and unemployment.

Welfare programs include social programs providing indirect aid and cash economic assistance. Applicants seeking cash payments must show they are unable to support themselves or their families. Heads of households might be unemployed or underemployed, making it impossible to meet basic monthly expenses. Disabilities or temporary hardships represent other situations that factor into determining qualifications for welfare.

Homelessness is a factor in qualifying for welfare.
Homelessness is a factor in qualifying for welfare.

Social welfare programs might include rent subsidies to enable families to remain in a home when facing eviction or homelessness. These subsidies usually do not represent cash payments but go directly to the property owner. A similar program consists of food stamps, which are redeemed at grocery stores. In most areas, restrictions prohibit the use of food stamps for tobacco or alcohol.

Low income people may qualify for welfare if their earnings are below certain thresholds.
Low income people may qualify for welfare if their earnings are below certain thresholds.

Some families meet qualifications for welfare in the form of childcare vouchers to enable work outside the home. This program might pay all or some of the expense of childcare for low-income families. Families that qualify for childcare assistance are typically also eligible for welfare programs that pay medical expenses for children living in the home. Single parents might take advantage of these welfare benefits because they cannot afford private health insurance.

People who are unemployed are candidates for welfare.
People who are unemployed are candidates for welfare.

In some regions, programs exist that provide job training to help welfare recipients become employable. Tax breaks and help with utility costs might ease some of the burden of supporting a family until employment is found. Children living in these situations might receive free lunches at school as another indirect social welfare benefit.

The qualifications for welfare changed over the years in the U.S. from a federal program to control by individual states. Welfare began in the 1930s, when the Great Depression put millions of people out of work. Over the years, stories of widespread abuse of the system led to welfare reform restricting the number of years for cash payments and tightening eligibility for welfare assistance.

Some welfare programs help single parents pay for childcare so the parent can work.
Some welfare programs help single parents pay for childcare so the parent can work.

Temporary assistance for families set limits of two years before the head of household must find full-time employment. Single parents might work a shorter work week and still meet standards of the program. Changes to the welfare program aim to decrease reliance on outside assistance and make families self-supporting. Welfare reform in the United Kingdom also put conditions on benefits and increased benefits to children and the elderly, making its programs similar to those in Holland and Denmark.

Discussion Comments

anon952329

I am 20 years old. I go to school and I am working as a server. My tips are more than my checks. I live with my dad and sister but I finance myself. I pay rent, buy my own stuff, pay my own bills and I also have to help with groceries. It's a struggle. Am I eligible for help?

anon354479

Lay off the drugs, or wait until you are more mature. Think about it.

anon284913

I'm 19 and am hoping to move out of a family house so I can be with my boyfriend and his son. This isn't much help with letting me know if I would be able to get certain help.

anon277680

Where can a person with low vision get free help in the state of Pennsylvania?

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    • Homelessness is a factor in qualifying for welfare.
      By: federicofoto
      Homelessness is a factor in qualifying for welfare.
    • Low income people may qualify for welfare if their earnings are below certain thresholds.
      By: Voyagerix
      Low income people may qualify for welfare if their earnings are below certain thresholds.
    • People who are unemployed are candidates for welfare.
      By: Paolese
      People who are unemployed are candidates for welfare.
    • Some welfare programs help single parents pay for childcare so the parent can work.
      By: Rido
      Some welfare programs help single parents pay for childcare so the parent can work.
    • Welfare is often used to help families with children who are homeless or living in extreme poverty.
      By: Jasmin Merdan
      Welfare is often used to help families with children who are homeless or living in extreme poverty.