Traditionally in America, helping the poor was a matter for private charities or local governments. Arriving immigrants depended mainly on predecessors from their homeland to help them start a new life. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, several European nations instituted public-welfare programs. But such a movement was slow to take hold in the United States because the rapid pace of industrialization and the ready availability of farmland seemed to confirm the belief that anyone who was willing to work could find a job.

   Most of the programs started during the Depression era were temporary relief measures, but one of the programs Social Security – has become an American institution. Paid for by deductions from the paychecks of working people, Social Security ensures that retired persons receive a modest monthly income and also provides unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and other assistance to those who need it. Social Security payments to retired persons can start at age 62, but many wait until age 65, when the payments are slightly higher. Recently, there has been concern that the Social Security fund may not have enough money to fulfill its obligations in the 21st century, when the population of elderly Americans is expected to increase dramatically. Policy makers have proposed various ways to make up the anticipated deficit, but a long-term solution is still being debated. In the years since Roosevelt, other American presidents have established assistance programs. These include Medicaid and Medicare; food stamps, certificates that people can use to purchase food; and public housing which is built at federal expense and made available to persons on low incomes. Needy Americans can also turn to sources other than the government for help. A broad spectrum of private charities and voluntary organizations is available. Volunteerism is on the rise in the United States, especially among retired persons. It is estimated that almost 50 percent of Americans over age 18 do volunteer work, and nearly 75 percent of U.S. households contribute money to charity.

Persons on low incomes can access public housing through ______.

Câu hỏi liên quan

• The expression “ keep tabs on” is closest meaning to ___________.

• The word “tedious” in the last paragraph mostly means     .

• The word “bounds” in line 5 is closest in meaning to ......

ZUNIA12

• Which of the sentences below expresses the essential information in the italic sentence in paragraph 3? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

• According to the text, the most important quality of a teacher is _______.

• According to the passage, the depression of the 1930's caused which of the following?

• The expression “in concert” in paragraph 3 could best be replaced by ________.

• Why does the author of the passage mention the report of the President’s Science Advisory Committee (lines 14-15) ?

• What two factors help protect the Earth from radiation?

• According to the passage, an exuberant tone of voice may be an indication of a person’s ............

• Which of the following words is most similar to the meaning of “rustic”?

• The phrase “reach to the horizon” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to ______.

• The word "drastically" in line 21 is closest in meaning to ..........

• The word "their" in line 12 refers to .......

• The reason why telecommuting has not become popular is that the employees ________.

• The expression catch a whiff is closest in meaning to .........

• All of the following are mentioned in the passage about supercells EXCEPT that they ________.

• The word "rude" is closest in meaning to ............

• According to the passage, how do computer-animation companies often test motion?

• In order to operate a computer, a student does not have to be _______