Welfare facts for kids

People waiting for help during the Great Depression

Welfare is a way for a country or group to make sure everyone has a basic standard of living. It helps people who cannot support themselves. This support usually comes from the government. The main goal is to make sure everyone has their basic needs met. This idea is different from charity, which is often given by private groups.

What is Welfare?

Welfare is about making sure people are healthy, safe, and happy. It helps those who are struggling. This can include people who are homeless, elderly, sick, poor, or disabled. It also helps families with children through things like child support.

Governments, charities, and other groups provide welfare. They want to help people live a good life.

How Does Welfare Help?

Welfare can be given in different ways:

• Lower Prices: Sometimes, the government helps pay for important goods. This makes things like bread or rice cheaper for everyone. This is called a subsidy.
• Vouchers: These are like special tickets or coupons. They can only be used for certain things. For example, a student might get a voucher for cheaper meals at their university cafeteria. The cafeteria then gets paid the difference by the government.
• Direct Money: People might get a set amount of money each month. They can use this money for anything they need, like rent or food.
• Job Search Help: In some places, people need to show they are looking for a job to receive welfare.

Many countries use welfare to help their citizens. These include countries like Germany, Japan, United States, Sweden, and France.

Images for kids

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  A family support centre in Saint Peter Port, Guernsey, which provides assistance to families with children.

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  Distributing alms to the poor, abbey of Port-Royal des Champs c. 1710.

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  An office of the Social Insurance Institution (KELA) in Seinäjoki, Finland

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  President Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act, August 14, 1935.

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  A chart showing the overall decline of average monthly welfare benefits (AFDC then TANF) per recipient 1962–2006 (in 2006 dollars).

Related Pages

• Social worker
• Right to an adequate standard of living
• Economic, social and cultural rights
• Welfare economics
• Welfare state

See also

In Spanish: Bienestar social para niños