Deck 7: Poverty and Economic Inequality

Question 1

The Social Security Act includes the Medicaid program which covers the cost of medical care and services for eligible low-income individuals.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Individuals who fall below the official poverty line are always eligible for state cash assistance.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

A person who is poor and has a disability would be eligible for cash assistance under the Supplemental Security Income program (SSI).

Answer 3

True

Question 4

The juvenilization and feminization of poverty refer to:

A)the growing tendency for children and women to receive pubic assistance
B)the growing tendency for children and women to live in public housing
C)the growing tendency for children and women to receive food stamps
D)the growing tendency for children and women to be poor
E)the growing tendency of children and women to receive social services

Question 5

Poverty disproportionately affects African Americans, Hispanics, women, and children.

Question 6

Of all people who are poor in this country, almost 50% of them are senior citizens.

Question 7

The official poverty line is a set dollar amount determined by each state, below which people must fall to become eligible to receive benefits and services.

Question 8

Poverty in America affects:

A)less than 8% of our entire population and less than 10% of all children
B)almost 15% of our entire population and 20% of all children
C)almost 20% of our entire population and over 50% of all children
D)almost 30% of our entire population and over 30% of all children
E)more than 25% of our entire population and more than 25% of all children

Question 9

Undocumented immigrants are eligible for federal cash assistance.

Question 10

In 2019, the official poverty level income was $12.490 for an individual.

Question 11

A relative measure of poverty:

A)is a set dollar amount below which a person must fall to be considered poor
B)uses comparisons to an agreed upon norm to determine if a person is poor or not
C)is how we determine who is poor for federal assistance
D)is used to determine public social welfare program eligibility
E)is a part of the public assistance system

Question 12

Cash assistance programs to the poor are a major portion of the federal budget.

Question 13

The official poverty line:

A)is an absolute measure of poverty
B)reflects the economic needs of people today
C)is based on taking the "economy" food plan cost and multiplying it by five
D)is a relative measure of poverty
E)was phased out with the 1996 welfare reform legislation

Question 14

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP):

A)is a part of the Social Security Act
B)provides coupons for food, paper goods, and personal care products
C)is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services
D)is funded entirely by state taxation
E)was formerly known as the Food Stamp Program

Question 15

Poverty in the United States

A)disproportionately affects women and younger heads of households
B)means that people cannot ever find year-round work
C)disproportionately affects the elderly
D)is absent among children and youth
E)has been eradicated since the War on Poverty

Question 16

According to the US Census Bureau, there were ____________ people below the poverty threshold in 2013:

A)45 million
B)56 million
C)69 million
D)75 million
E)89 million

Question 17

Homelessness is caused by a number of factors, with recent growth primarily due to:

A)a lack of shelters
B)changes in zoning for employment opportunities
C)increases in poverty among children and families and a lack of affordable housing
D)a lack of family housing in school areas
E)individual choices

Question 18

The largest and most well-known public assistance program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families:

A)is not part of the Social Security Act
B)was legislated in 1996
C)is funded directly through federal benefits to families
D)is standard from state to state
E)is a voucher program

Question 19

The fastest growing segment of the homeless population in America is families with children.

Question 20

Public assistance for poor elderly persons falls under:

A)the Supplemental Security Income program (SSI)
B)Old Age Insurance (OAI)
C)Social Security Insurance for Seniors (SSIS)
D)Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
E)Older Americans Act (OAA)

Question 21

The official poverty line is a set dollar amount below which a person or persons must fall to be determined poor.  What is the official poverty line based on?  What are the benefits of having an official poverty line? What are the weaknesses associated the official poverty line today?

Question 22

Work is highly valued in our society, and considered the best way to achieve economic security and self-sufficiency.  If that is true, explain how there can be people who are "working poor"?  How can someone be working and poor at the same time?  Does this contradict our beliefs in the value of work?  What are the implications when developing anti-poverty strategies?

Question 23

Define and explain the differences between an absolute measure of poverty and a relative measure of poverty.

Question 24

Anti-poverty programs are designed to decrease poverty and ameliorate its impact.  Describe three anti-poverty programs discussed in the book.  Be sure to discuss who is eligible for the programs and what services the programs provide.

Question 25

The United States is one of the wealthiest nations in the world, yet almost 15% of the people in this country are officially counted as living in poverty.  Explain, from a social welfare policy perspective, how this can be.  What are the social implications of this economic imbalance?

Question 26

Based on the book, what are the main characteristics of the typical family receiving public assistance?  How are these characteristics similar to or different from what public opinion is of people receiving public assistance, and why?

Question 27

Many consider poverty the most pressing problem facing children and families today.  Do you agree or disagree?  Cite evidence to support your answer.