Chapter 6

Abstract

Government spending for social welfare purposes has grown rapidly in recent years as new programs have been enacted and the benefit levels and eligibility requirements in existing programs have expanded. This chapter examines the accomplishments and problems of the income maintenance programs that attempt to guarantee income security—an acceptable and stable standard of living. These programs reduce poverty, facilitate access to essential goods and services, and cushion disruptions in household income flows. However, they deal differently with people having the same needs but different charateristics, and they discourage work. Some suggestions are offered for reforming income maintenance programs that can correct some of the deficiencies of current programs while preserving their accomplishments.