Income Support Policies Essay,”Income Support PoliciesIncome Support Policies EssayIn this Income Support Policies Essay assignment, you must examine the philosophical underpinnings of the economic system and its relationship to ethics and social justice by examining income support policies. You will also view the socially constructed ways of developing and distributing resources and implementing societal values. You will examine the “problem of justice” by considering the following:The distribution of goods and servicesAn individual’s share in goods and servicesThe allocation of rights and dutiesResearch income support policies using your textbook, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet.Select two policies for examination from the list that follows. You can select from other types of income support policies
however, be sure to submit your choices to the facilitator for validation before continuing with this assignment.
- Social Security
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Then, compare and contrast the selected income support policies. Address the following:
- List and describe each income support policy’s target population, means of funding, and intended outcomes.
- Explain the positions a conservative politician or commentator, and a liberal politician would take on the policy. Address anything they might have in common ideologically and also describe their differences.
- Give reasons and examples in support of your analysis.
Write a 2–3-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M2_A2.doc.
Income Support Policies
Today too many hardworking Americans are not making enough money to get by
and are suffering drastically to make an honest living. Do to the collapse of the economy
millions of people have lost their homes, jobs, and even their retirement savings. Many
Americans are working low-wage jobs paying minimum wage and are living way below
the poverty line. With the cost of living going up and minimum wage at a stand still, many
have resorted to government aid such as income support. “Income support is extra money
for those with a low income or none at all, who are working less than a certain amount of
hours a week and have not signed on as unemployment” (webstersdictionary.com, 2008).
Programs such as “Temporary Assistance For Needy Families” (TANF), “Supplemental
Security Income” (SSI), and “Social Security” are benefits that provide income to those in
need in order to maintain a moral and healthy life style.
“Temporary Assistance For Needy Families is the means-tested federal income
program for dependent children under 18 and their adult caretakers” (Jimenez 2010, p.36).
The goal of this program is to provide temporary financial aid while aiming to slowly cycle
people off, primarily through employment and a time restriction on usage of the program.
The federal government designed the (TANF) program to have basic requirements,
guidelines, as well as a time limit, and left each state responsible in determining eligibility.
(TANF) is funded by block grants that are federally awarded to each state in order to have
a greater flexibility in deciding how to best spend funds, but must stay within various
INCOME SUPPORT 3
Income Support Policies
provisions of the law. Although, conservatives and liberals both agree on providing help
for families in need they tend to see this policy different. When it comes to government
assistance such as programs like (TANF), liberals believe the program should provide
work related training as well as assistance for the needy in order to put people back on
their feet and expand their experience. Conservatives usually critique programs like this or
that provide any assistance to the poor, and always want to propose strict qualifications
as well as a time limit of usage.
Supplemental Security Income or (SSI) is another government program that
provides a stipend to low-income personnel who are 65 years of age and older, blind,
disabled, or under the age of 18 unmarried that meet the criteria are also eligible. (SSI)
was created to take the place of an existing program known as the “Old Age Assistance
and Aid to the Blind and Totally Disabled.” Jimenez J. (2010) states “(SSI) is a means-
tested program revenue funds of the government and supplemented by some states, there
is a reluctance by public officials to spend adequately for those covered by (SSI).” (p.34)
(SSI) is a policy that liberals and conservatives both agree with, they believe it is a
necessity and a critical lifeline for children or those with severe disabilities. They agree that
it is the nation’s commitment to providing a full quality of life to those who face the most
significant challenges…..
