experiencing poverty, including welfare, SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Medicaid, and

the earned income tax credit (EITC). Although these programs vary from state to state, it is generally a true

statement that in many states from the 1960s into the 1980s, if poor people worked, their level of income

barely rose—or did not rise at all—after factoring in the reduction in government support payments. The

following Work It Out feature shows how this happens.
366 15 • Poverty and Economic Inequality

15.3 The Safety Net

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

•

Identify the antipoverty government programs that comprise the safety net

• Explain the safety net programs' primary goals and how these programs have changed over time

• Discuss the complexities of these safety net programs and why they can be controversial

The U.S. government has implemented a number of programs to assist those below the poverty line and those
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