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.

The Social Security program has become possible thanks to ______.

Câu hỏi liên quan

• All of the following statements are TRUE about visual learners EXCEPT ...............

•  The word “ them” which is bold and italic refers to ___________.

• Which of the following is NOT true?

ZUNIA12

• The word it refers to _________.

• According to the passage, Melville’s early novels were__________.

• The word “Ornaments” in paragraph 3 is closet in meaning to _______.

• The phrase “For example,” line 19, introduces a sentence that gives examples of ........

• What surprised John most about the flight?

• All of the following statements are true EXCEPT ............

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

• Who called the apelike creatures 'Sasquatch'?

• Why does the writer mention "John F. Kennedy" in line 3?

• The word "they" in the passage refers to ______.

• Doctors have tentatively concluded that cellphones may ________.

• The word “they” in line 10 refers to ..........

• It can be inferred from the passage that social workers, employers, and politicians concern themselves with the study of learning because they need to ______.

• According to the passage, travel books, biographies and memoirs ______.

• As mentioned in the text, who are the most active when their team has the ball?

• Which of the following is NOT true about Facebook users in UK?

• The words “this faculty” refers to the sea cucumber’s ability to ....