GCU Anti Poverty Policies and Programs Discussion

Description

Question DQ 1: Identify one anti-poverty policy and associated program and discuss advantages and limitations of the approach. What opportunities are there to improve the policy and associated program? This discussion question is informed by the following EPAS Standard:5: Engage in Policy Practice

Professor: As you research existing anti-poverty policies, consider what is an anti-poverty policy that you would like to create?

Think in terms of a certain population, ethnic group, age group etc.

Students:

1. There are a wide variety of anti-poverty programs in the United States. According to research it says, “The original purpose of anti-poverty programs-whether cash assistance, food assistance, or Healthcare assistance-was to help poor families cope with economic hardship” (Joseph, 2019). These programs existed in 1930 and they then became reinforced in 1960 which was led under the WOP movement. Due to this social worker must carry out the Code of Ethics by maintaining social justice which needs to be professional to help reduce poverty as well as advocating for clients.

Furthermore, people who participated in the welfare program in the workforce which is looked at by policymakers as a means of economic self-sufficiency (Joseph, 2019). Based on further research, “Social programs arguably pursue two outcomes: an immediate one and a long term” (Joseph, 2019). For example, programs that have workforce participation is a main goal for “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and the Earned Income Tax (EITC), as is food security for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), health coverage for Medicaid, homeless prevention for the Housing Choice Voucher program (HCV), and overall child well-being for HeadStart” (Joseph, 2019). However, all these programs are equally critical to help break/lessen the chances of poverty. In conclusion, the main program that is the most important is the housing program. It is in my opinion, because anyone without housing can experience barriers and even mental health issues especially if anyone is in poverty. Also, these program services have eligibility guidelines and can have federal/state rules that can impact individuals needing assistance. Ultimately, in today’s world there is a housing crisis has developed ever since COVID-19 and how inflation hit the United States. Due to this, my overall goal as a social worker is to help change/advocate for clients to be able to strengthen these programs to reduce the poverty level in the world.

2. Students.

One anti-poverty policy is the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which is a federal tax credit for low- to moderate-income working individuals and families. The program provides a financial incentive for working by reducing the amount of taxes owed or providing a refund if the credit exceeds taxes owed. The EITC has been shown to lift many families above the poverty line and encourage workforce participation (Marr et al., 2018).

One advantage of the EITC is that it provides immediate relief for families and individuals struggling with poverty by increasing their take-home pay. Additionally, because it is based on a sliding scale, families and individuals receive a larger credit as their income increases, which can incentivize them to work more hours and improve their economic situation.

However, a limitation of the EITC is that it is primarily designed to benefit families with children, leaving single adults and childless couples without any significant benefits. Additionally, because the EITC is based on earned income, it does not provide support for those who are unable to work due to disabilities, caregiving responsibilities, or other reasons.

To improve the EITC, policymakers could expand the credit to include childless adults and increase the amount of the credit for those who do not have children. Additionally, policymakers could consider supplementing the EITC with other programs and policies that provide support for those unable to work.

3. One highly used and successful anti-poverty program is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistant Program (SNAP) which is driven by the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 as part of the Farm Bill (FRAC, 2023) . Every 5 years, it is reviewed by Congress and is up this year (2023) for review and re-authorization. It is hoped that the policy changes introduced in the 2023 Farm Bill will increase benefit availability and strengthen social justice and equality within the program. SNAP benefits offer families of low social economic status (SES) the food assistance they need and prevents millions of families from hunger each year.

Not only does SNAP help reduce poverty and ensure better health for millions of Americans by providing nutritious and fresh affordable food, but it also improves economic growth by increasing spending at local supermarkets. SNAP benefits is an effective way to provide food for targeted populations and provides more income from working families to filter back into the economy.

Although SNAP is as much a nutritional program, than a welfare one, there is a stigma that often causes people to look down on those using SNAP benefits (Dwyer, 2023). They are often seen as unwilling to work or taking advantage of the program. The truth is, many don’t apply that could really benefit from SNAP because they’re embarrassed. Fraud is still a problem with the program. People exchange their food money for gas or liquor, while others lie to get the benefits, but the benefits far outweigh these issues.

The major limitation to this program is that it only addresses food. Low income families need essentials like diapers and hygiene products which aren’t covered by SNAP. Homeless may receive this assistance, but can’t purchase hot food at a store or restaurant, even though they have no means to cook any food.

One way to better this program would be to provide an easier application process and provide assistance with navigating their web page (Thornton, 2023). To apply, people have to provide documentation, prove eligibility, and often wait far too long to even find out if they are accepted for the program. There are many eligible Americans who do not receive SNAP benefits because of the difficulty found in the application process. The process needs to be simplified or people need to be readily available to assist those attempting to get benefits.

Questios 2.How does poverty affect people? How does poverty affect our society? Do you think anti-poverty strategies are an important part of a social welfare system? Why? This discussion question is informed by the following EPAS Standards:2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice3: Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental Justice5: Engage in Policy Practice

1. In the United States, the measure poverty based on how an individual’s or family’s income compare to the federal threshold. In 2021, people were considered impoverished if an individual person income was below $12,880 or if a family of 4 income was below $26,500. Poverty often occurs in particular areas and happens for long periods of time. Some communities such as certain racial and ethnic groups, people living in rural areas, and people with disabilities, have a greater risk of poverty for reasons outside of their control. The lifespan of a person that lives in poverty have an increased risk for mental illness, chronic disease, higher mortality rate, and lower life expectancy (Poverty, n.d.). However, children make up the largest age group of those experiencing poverty. When a child is experiencing poverty, they experience developmental delays, toxic stress, chronic illness, and nutritional deficits. If a person experience poverty during their childhood, they are more likely to experience it as an adult which turns into a generational poverty cycle. Poverty limit access to educational and employment opportunities which contributes to income inequality and effects poverty. People with limited finances might have a difficult time obtaining health insurance or paying for expensive procedures/medication. Neighborhoods also plays a part in limited access to healthy foods and higher instances of violence which plays a huge role in obesity or extreme stress (Poverty, n.d.).

Strategies that could improve economic mobility of families would be tax credits (Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit) which would help alleviate financial burdens for families with lower and middle incomes by reducing the amount of taxes owed. Two of the nation’s largest social assistance programs are Medicaid (provides health coverage) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) which provides food assistance (Poverty, n.d.). I think the anti-poverty strategies is a temporary fix but not long term. Sending families tax credit is great but what financial literacy are we providing just as well? Are people putting a percentage up for “rainy days” or spending it on other things? Most of those anti-poverty programs stop (or funds are cut) once the child reach 18 years old which puts the family right back into a poverty situation. The government should create an extension of those program for families that have children over the age of 18 (and still living at home) so they can still provide for them. Or provide free education to all so people can go back to school without the burden of student loans so they can apply for better paying jobs and not lean on government assistance programs.

2. The simple definition of poverty is the inability of an individual or people to meet the basic needs of life. Food and shelter are necessities among others besides, air which is free. Moreover, Poverty is the severe lack of certain possessions which significantly reduces the quality of a person’s life. People living in poverty struggle to meet basic needs, including having limited access to food, clothing, healthcare, education, shelter, and safety. People affected by poverty may also lack social, economic, political, or material income and resources (World Vision, 2023). Poverty is equally associated with substandard housing, hunger, homelessness, inadequate childcare, unsafe neighborhoods, and under-resourced schools (APA, 2023). Poverty is seen as a lack of economic resources that has negative social consequences (Mood & Jonsson, 2016). Poverty affects our society in so many ways which include but are not limited to family issues, impacts on social and cultural lives, higher rates of crime and victimization, prostitution, lack of social mobility, problems with housing and homelessness, and a segregated society. I strongly believe that antipoverty strategies are an important part of the social welfare system, simply because the main purpose of the social welfare system is to offer assistance to individuals and families in need, with such programs as health care assistance, food stamps, and unemployment compensation and the original purpose of anti-poverty programs – whether cash assistance, food assistance, housing assistance, or healthcare assistance was to help poor families cope with economic hardship and thereby break the cycle of poverty (Joseph, 2019).

3. Poverty affects people in a multitude of ways that can include poor health outcomes, inadequate housing, food insecurity, and limited access to education and employment opportunities (Gibbons & Lee, 2016). In turn, these challenges can exacerbate cycles of poverty and further marginalize individuals and communities. Poverty not only affects individuals and families but also has a significant impact on society. It can contribute to increased crime rates, decreased economic productivity, and reduced social cohesion (Dionne-Odom et al., 2019).

Anti-poverty strategies are an essential part of a social welfare system because they provide a safety net for vulnerable populations and work to reduce the impact of poverty on individuals and society. According to a study by DeNavas-Walt, Proctor, and Smith (2013), government-supported social welfare programs such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Social Security have contributed to a significant decline in poverty rates in the United States. These programs not only alleviate poverty but also create positive ripple effects by reducing healthcare costs, improving educational outcomes, and contributing to economic growth.