Key Dates in Public Assistance

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1935

The Social Security Act of 1935 passes in response to widespread poverty caused by the Great Depression. In Addition to the social security retirement program, the Act includes three public assistance programs: Aid to Dependent Children, Old Age Assistance, and Aid to the Blind. The Social Security Act of 1935 will serve as the foundation for future social welfare legislation

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1939

The nation's first food stamp program is attempted in some parts of the country. Participants purchase orange stamps for $1.00 for which they received one free blue stamp valued at 50 centers. The program ends in 1943 and is replaced with commodity food distribution. 

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1950

The Social Security Act is amended to establish programs for the permanently disabled and broadens AFDC eligibility to include the relative with whom the child lives. 

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1964

The Food Stamp Act establishes a national nutrition program for low-income households. Recipients are required to purchase food stamps; the requirement is eliminated in 1977.

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1965

Medicaid is established under the Title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide health care benefits to certain poor people. Medicare, a health insurance program for aged and disabled is established under the Title XVIII.

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1972

Title XVI of the Social Security Act creates a new federal program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI replaces state responsible adult assistance programs for the aged, blind and disabled. The program is administered by the Social Security Administration. 

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The WIC program is established to supplement nutritional needs of low-income women who are pregnant, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at-risk due to low income. 

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1975

Title IV-D is added to the Social Security Act of 1935 creating federal involvement in child support programs with a focus on locating absent parents, establishing paternity and collecting child support payments.

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1977

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is authorized as an emergency measure to assist low-income households pay high fuel bills. The Crude Oil Windfall Profits Act of 1980 authorizes LIHEAP as a permanent program. 

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1980

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act established the Social Services Blocki Grant. Federal contributions to states for social services are dramatically decreased and cause a shift of financial responsibility to states.

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1984

Child Support Enforcement services are expanded to include all families with children not receiving financial support from their noncustodial parent. A fee is charged not to exceed $25 to non-TANF famlies. 

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1985

The Food Security Act declares SSI and AFDC recipients automatically eligible for Food Assistance. States charging sales tax on food can no longer tax food stamp purchases. States are required to reduce food stamp participation by establishing a Food Stamp Employment and Training program by 1987.

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1986

Personal Responsiblity and Work Opportunity Reconcialiation Act ends AFDC as an entitlement program, caps the length of time recipients can receive benefits and federal funding is provided through a block grant entitled Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

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2002

All states are required by the federal government to transition from food stamp coupons to EBT.