Definition

Welfare is an increasingly outdated blanket term for a variety of government-funded programs intended to provide financial and/or other types of aid to individuals and families. Discussing the specific programs or benefits a family or population is receiving  (e.g., SNAP, TANF) may be clearer. In many instances, the use of the term welfare is tied into broader criticisms of social programs, and the term may imply a disdain or criticism of such programs and the people who use them. Broad terms like “economic assistance” or “government assistance” can be used when the specific programs aren’t known.

Additional resources

• Government Benefits (USA.gov)
• The Myth of the Welfare Queen (New Republic)
• What is Social Welfare History? (Virginia Commonwealth University)
• Ronald Reagan and the ‘welfare queen’: Linda Taylor’s true story in a new book (Washington Post)

Summary

Welfare is an increasingly outdated blanket term for a variety of government-funded programs intended to provide financial and/or other types of aid to individuals and families. It may be helpful to be specific about the benefits being discussed, or use terms like “public assistance” or “government assistance” if a specific program can’t be named.

Related terms

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
• TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
• social determinants of health