Question 1

The average benefit of food stamps has never exceeded $1.05 per person per meal.

Accepted Answer

The average benefit of food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), varies by state and is updated annually. However, according to the USDA, the average benefit per person per meal in FY 2019 was $1.30, which is still relatively low. So, the statement that the average benefit has never exceeded $1.05 per person per meal is true.

Question 2

Social Security is funded by federal income taxes.

Accepted Answer

Social Security is primarily funded through a dedicated payroll tax known as the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax. This tax is paid by employees and employers and is separate from federal income taxes.

Question 3

Given the great popularity of the Social Security program, political leaders are unlikely to allow the program to "go bankrupt."

Accepted Answer

Social Security has been a popular program among Americans, and political leaders understand the importance of the program. Therefore, they are unlikely to allow it to go bankrupt and will take measures to ensure the program's solvency.

Question 4

What do the 1996 changes in the welfare system require of unmarried mothers?

Accepted Answer

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Question 5

Entitlement program payments are made automatically to people who meet certain eligibility requirements.

Accepted Answer

Entitlement programs are designed to provide benefits to individuals who meet specific eligibility criteria without the need for a separate application or request for aid. Examples of entitlement programs include Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Question 6

What is TANF?

Accepted Answer

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Question 7

With Medicare, the federal government provides matching funds to states to provide medical assistance for their indigent citizens.

Accepted Answer

Medicare is a federal program that provides health coverage if you are 65 or older or have a severe disability, no matter your income. Medicaid, not Medicare, is the program that provides health coverage to eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities and is administered by states, according to federal requirements. The federal government provides matching funds to states for Medicaid.

Question 8

What are entitlement programs?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are entitlement programs?...

Question 9

Medicaid is paid for and administered solely at the federal level of government.

Accepted Answer

Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal and state governments, and administered by the individual states within certain federal guidelines.

Question 10

What are the implications of the fact that the lion's share of social welfare spending is for social insurance programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Unemployment Insurance and not means-tested programs?

Accepted Answer

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Question 11

Identify the major public assistance programs.

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

How does the Medicaid program operate?

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

Social insurance represents the largest portion of the federal budget.

Accepted Answer

Social insurance programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid represent the largest portion of the federal budget, accounting for over 60% of spending in 2019.

Question 14

What is SCHIP?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is SCHIP?...

Question 15

The basic distinction between social insurance programs and means-tested programs is that the former involve benefits from general revenues for people who qualify based on low income, and the latter involve payments to and from a trust fund.

Accepted Answer

The statement is incorrect. Social insurance programs are funded by payroll taxes and provide benefits based on earned eligibility criteria, such as employment history or disability status. Means-tested programs, on the other hand, are funded by general revenues and provide benefits based on the applicant's income and assets.

Question 16

Although the details of their programs differ, all rich democracies provide social welfare benefits for their citizens.

Accepted Answer

All rich democracies provide social welfare benefits for their citizens, although the specific programs and details may vary.

Question 17

Medicare is not an entitlement program.

Accepted Answer

Medicare is considered an entitlement program because it is available to U.S. citizens and certain legal residents primarily aged 65 and older who have paid into the system through payroll taxes.

Question 18

Despite their success, social insurance programs are also plagued by problems. What are these problems?

Accepted Answer

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Question 19

SCHIP provides health care for all unemployed Americans.

Accepted Answer

SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance Program) provides health care for low-income children who do not qualify for Medicaid. It does not provide health care for all unemployed Americans.

Question 20

Medicaid is funded by a special payroll tax on employees and employers.

Accepted Answer

Medicaid is actually funded by a combination of federal and state taxes, not a special payroll tax on employees and employers.

Quiz 18: Social Safety Nets