Introduction
The Government offers several initiatives aimed at reducing poverty in the country. The programs provide financial assistance to low-income individuals and families to cover basic needs like housing and food. They are designed to improve individuals’ economic circumstances. These programs are generally administered by various federal agencies that offer opportunities different. The anti-poverty programs that have been most effective in reducing poverty rates in the United States are Social Security, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Discussion
Social Security is a government agency that offers financial support to qualified people and their families who are unable to work because of retirement, disability, or death. The benefit amount is determined by the worker’s past wages (Greszler, 2020). The Social Security program is supported by payroll taxes paid by both employees and employers. A national government program known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) gives food assistance to low-income individuals and families that qualify for it. Food goods can be purchased using SNAP benefits at supermarkets and farmers’ markets (Hoynes & Schanzenbach, 2020). SNAP offers households advice on good eating and nutrition. The federal government runs the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to determine the households that qualify for aid. Households can receive financial aid through LIHEAP to cover their heating and cooling expenses (Raissi & Reames, 2020). LIHEAP also assists families with home upgrades that save energy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, anti-poverty programs from the federal government have helped to reduce poverty rates in the United States. These programs have provided financial assistance to low-income individuals and families to cover basic needs like food and housing, as well as access to education and job training. While there is still work to be done in terms of reducing poverty rates, these programs have made a significant impact.
References
Greszler, R. (2020). Social Security Policy for the Next Administration and the 117th Congress. Heritage Foundation Backgrounder, (3559), 2020-11. Web.
Hoynes, H., & Schanzenbach, D. W. (2020). Policies to Strengthen our Nation’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Washington Center for Equitable Growth, February, 18.
Raissi, S., & Reames, T. G. (2020). “If we had a little more flexibility.” Perceptions of Programmatic Challenges and Opportunities Implementing Government-Funded Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs. Energy Policy, 147, 111880.