Social Welfare

Social welfare assists citizens and families with different societal problems for growth and development. It establishes a well-built system comprising a network of programs offering support to people at different stages of life.

The social welfare department plays a vital role in any society or government. In the US, the federal government regulates and initiates many schemes offering grants to each state as per requirement through its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The welfare programs are typically funded by the federal tax collected from the people.

Social welfare refers to government-funded programs that offer support and assistance to citizens with low incomes and disabilities, as well as healthcare, education, childcare, and disaster relief. It is not limited to an individual; many such organizations support whole families. Depending on its resources and capacity, every country has bodies installed in their states to help people in need.

In general society, only some earn well, do well, are educated, or are financially sound enough to live a standard life. It does not mean those people have no right to live, and the government should not be concerned about them. On the contrary, social welfare administrations are introduced for people living in poor conditions, with minimum education, no job, food resources, shelter and healthcare. Only some people are qualified for benefits; a person has to register themselves with proper documentation and proof of unemployment, low income, and other factors to receive benefits from the government. In the US, a caseworker is appointed to each individual and family applying for such benefits.

The benefits vary from state to state, and eligibility may also vary according to the minimum acceptable levels of each region. Additionally, the welfare systems can have different names in different states, and a federal poverty line is used to gauge the economic stability of citizens in the US.

There are two main types of social welfare policies:

1. Distributive Policies: These policies involve collecting federal taxes from a broad range of individuals and businesses to fund welfare programs that benefit a smaller portion of the population. Examples include Pell grants, tax credits, and student loans.
2. Redistributive Policies: In contrast, redistributive policies entail a smaller group of individuals paying taxes to fund welfare programs that cater to a more significant segment of the population. Examples of such programs include TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and Medicaid.

In addition to these policies, various departments in the US address different societal needs. For instance, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development focuses on housing-related programs, while the Administration for Children and Families oversees family and child welfare services.

Furthermore, the approaches can vary based on factors such as size, income, and the nature of support provided. These approaches include the family-centric approach, mixed economy approach, institutional approach, and residual perspective. Each approach influences how welfare policies are formulated and implemented to address the diverse needs of society.

Let's understand the topic with the help of some real-world and hypothetical examples.

Example #1

Suppose a fictitious state with a reasonable population. Though its economy is booming, many people are below the poverty line, unemployed, and living on the streets. After observing this, the government regulates new policies and issues grants and support for such people. The authorities introduce employment programs, build shelter homes, and offer daily food stamps and weekly allowances to people below the poverty line. 

The government also ensures that kids with disabilities are sent to special schools, and primary education and healthcare are offered through different programs and government offices. 

Example #2

A 2015 Forbes article states that America was the world's second-largest social welfare state compared to the democracies of Europe, where the social welfare system is left unchecked for a longer time. The United States has a system that is smaller than the size of the economy. After observing the per capita value, the US was the world's second-largest social state.

An OECD report backs the statement. Still, research and study papers later painted a different picture, explaining how other nations' programs were not adequately measured. One such 2005 study indicates that the researchers looked at the bottom 10% income of countries like Denmark, the UK, and Sweden and used the same pattern to compare them with the US median income.

The importance of social welfare is -

• Builds a better society for the citizens with a support system.
• People can rely on government authorities for help and assistance.
• It formulates the idea of better resources and utilities available to people, especially those in need.
• Make people believe the government has thought about them, not letting them suffer alone.
• Induces a safety net for people living under rigid scenarios and poor conditions.

Distinguishing between social work and welfare embodies the individual or collective efforts to provide assistance and support to those in need.

• Social welfare is a government-administered and funded program. In comparison, anyone intending to help can indulge in social work.
• It is a concept or phenomenon that directs the work and assistance. In contrast, social work is the work itself, from helping someone to offering financial or emotional support.
• A government offering free healthcare and education is a form of social welfare. On the other hand, a doctor or professor voluntarily working in these places with minimum or no compensation is a form of social work.