safety net programs
Government assistance systems
Safety net programs are government initiatives providing basic support to people facing economic hardship—unemployment benefits, food assistance, housing subsidies, and similar aid.
The metaphor comes from circus nets that catch falling acrobats: these programs catch people who might otherwise fall into poverty.
Budget cuts threatened the safety net programs that millions depend on.
- food stampsSubsidized grocery purchasing vouchers
- grantsAwarded funds for purposes
- means testedRequiring proof of poverty
- poverty reliefEfforts to reduce destitution
- MedicaidPublic health coverage for poor
public assistance · public housing · childcare subsidies · foster care systems · subsidies · parenting classes · unemployment benefits · disability benefits · earned income credit · pension schemes · mental health services · social security · welfare benefits · government assistance · nutrition assistance · homeless shelters · free clinics · universal basic income
- welfare programsTANF, food stamps, WIC, Section 8, cash assistance
- welfare statewelfare spending, social welfare, public benefits, social services, social spending
safety net programsmutual aid
Cooperative community support
family support · personal savings · self-reliance · bootstrapping · charitable giving
safety net programstrickle-down economics
Theory that enriching top helps bottom
libertarianism · neoliberalism · rugged individualism · bootstrapping · austerity
safety net programsausterity measures
Policies reducing government spending
welfare cuts · workfare · poor laws · welfare reform · welfare-to-work
safety, safely, safer, safest, safeness, unsafe, unsafely, netting, program