Welfare refers to a range of government programs that provide financial or other aid to individuals or groups who cannot support themselves. The term welfare is often used interchangeably with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which is a federally funded, state-run program that helps families financially after experiencing hardship. Recipients of welfare may qualify for help with food, housing, home, and other basic needs.
To qualify for welfare, individuals or families seeking assistance must prove that their annual income falls below the federal poverty level (FPL), which is an economic measure of income used to determine whether an individual or family qualifies for certain subsidies or aid. The 2023 poverty guideline for one person is $14,580 and $30,000 for a family of four.
Welfare is a type of government support intended to ensure that members of a society can meet basic human needs such as food. Public assistance refers to assistance programs that provide either cash assistance or in-kind benefits to individuals and families from any governmental entity. Social welfare also refers to efforts to help protect the health and security of those most in need.
