HDFS 447 Poverty Programs & Welfare Reform

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts, terms, and definitions related to Modules 5 and 6 of the HDFS 447 study material.

SNAP

Food assistance program that served 41.5 million people in 2021 with an average benefit of $183 per month.

WIC

Nutrition program for pregnant women and children linked to better birth and school outcomes.

Medicaid

State-administered health coverage that improves access and reduces medical debt.

CHIP

Health insurance program for children in families above the Medicaid threshold.

SSI

Supplemental Security Income providing income for the elderly and disabled, reducing deep poverty.

TANF

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, providing cash aid with work requirements; eligibility varies by state.

Unemployment Insurance

Wage replacement program that was highly effective during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pell Grants

Tuition support aimed at reducing dropout rates, currently facing funding challenges.

Housing Vouchers

Rent support program with three in four eligible families not receiving aid.

Head Start

Early education program that improves long-term outcomes for children and parents.

Mother’s Pensions

Early cash welfare program focused on moral reform with racial and gender biases.

ADC

Aid to Families with Dependent Children, federalized in 1935 with discriminatory state rules.

AFDC

Aid to Families with Dependent Children program that expanded access from 1962 to 1996.

Eligibility for TANF

No federal definition of 'needy'; benefit levels vary by state.

Needy Definition

Eligibility criteria for TANF without a federal definition of what constitutes 'needy'.

Public Beliefs about Poverty

Public attitudes about 'deserving' vs 'undeserving' poor influence program design.

Racialized Narratives

Beliefs that shape funding and access to benefits for marginalized groups.

Fair Wages Advocacy

TANF recipients advocating for access to fair wages.

Education Access Advocacy

TANF recipients advocating for greater access to education.

Gradual Benefit Phase-Out Advocacy

Calls for a gradual reduction of benefits as income increases.

Immigrant Demographics

As of 2021, there are 45 million immigrants in the U.S., with 25% from Mexico.

Female Immigrants

51.8% of immigrants in the U.S. are female, with a median age of 45.

Labor Force Participation

66.6% of U.S. immigrants are part of the labor force.

Transnational Families

Families separated across borders but united by care and identity.

U.S. Children with Immigrant Parents

26% of U.S. children have immigrant parents, with 88% being U.S.-born.

Challenges for Children of Immigrants

These children face poverty, exclusion from benefits, trauma, and reunification stress.

Unaccompanied Migrant Children (UMCs)

Children lacking legal status and a caregiver, often facing severe trauma.

Custody of UMCs in 2021

128,904 unaccompanied migrant children were in custody in 2021.

Trauma of UMCs

Includes violence, separation, detention, and reunification stress.

Legal Status Breakdown

33% unauthorized, 32% naturalized citizens, 32% lawful permanent residents, 4% nonimmigrants.

Public Benefits Access for Immigrants

Immigrants use Medicaid and SNAP less than U.S.-born citizens.

Barriers to Immigrant Benefits

Includes a 5-year bar, public charge rule, and administrative burden.

Family Reunification

A legal entry pathway allowing families to reunite in the U.S.

Employment-Based Visas

Visas granted for employment purposes as a legal entry pathway.

Asylum and Refugee Status

Legal status granted to individuals escaping persecution.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

Status offering protection from deportation for individuals from designated countries.

DACA

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals; provides temporary relief from deportation.

Fiancé Visas

Visas for foreign citizens intending to marry U.S. citizens.

Deep Poverty Reduction

Impact of SSI program in reducing deep poverty among the elderly and disabled.

Cash Aid Work Requirements

Condition of TANF that mandates work for eligibility.

Benefit Level Disparity

Dramatic variation in benefit levels across states for TANF recipients.

Child Poverty Rate

High percentage of children living in poverty within immigrant families.

Legal Status and Income

Link between legal status of immigrants and their income potential.

Childhood Trauma Linked to Immigration

Children of immigrants often face trauma related to displacement and legal issues.

Historical Welfare Changes

Significant evolution of welfare programs from Mother’s Pensions to TANF.

Public Charge Rule

Policy that complicates immigrant public benefits access.

Access to Healthcare for Immigrants

Barriers immigrants face in accessing healthcare services.